Notice of Seizure for Forfeiture and Notice of Pending ForfeitureLAURA CONOVER Pima County Attorney Civil Division Ellen R. Brown, SBN 12329 PAN 64684 Deputy County Attorney 32 North Stone Avenue, Suite 2100 Tucson, Arizona 85701 Telephone: 520-724-5700 ellen.brown@pcao.pima.gov Attorney for the State ARIZONA SUPERIOR COURT PIMA COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF: U.S. CURRENCY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,225.00. Defendant In Rem. No. C20263697 NOTICE OF SEIZURE FOR FORFEITURE AND NOTICE OF PENDING FORFEITURE The Honorable Wayne E. Yehling YOU ARE HEREBY GIVEN NOTICE, pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 13-2301, 13-2313, 13-2314, 13-3413 and 13-4301, et seq. of the following: I. NOTICE OF SEIZURE FOR FORFEITURE The captioned property more fully described in Appendix One (collectively “Defendant Property”) has been seized for forfeiture by the State of Arizona pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 13-2301, 13-2312, 13-2313, 13-2314, 13-2317, 13-3413 and 13-4301, et seq. II. NOTICE OF PENDING FORFEITURE Through the filing of this Notice of Pending Forfeiture, a judicial civil forfeiture action has been initiated by the State of Arizona and is now pending against the Defendant Property. The conduct giving rise to forfeiture of the Defendant Property took place, in whole or in part, in Pima County, Arizona. The State is seeking forfeiture of the Defendant Property for one or more of the following reasons: it was used or intended to be used to commit or facilitate the commission of an offense giving rise to forfeiture; it is proceeds traceable to an offense giving rise to forfeiture; it is property acquired through the commission of an offense giving rise to forfeiture. The statutory and factual grounds for the seizure for forfeiture are: Statutes authorizing the seizure for forfeiture and forfeiture of the property: A.R.S. §§ 13-2301 et seq., 13-2313, 13-2314, 13-2317, 13-3105, 13-3413, 13-4301 et seq. Statutes of the criminal offenses involved: A.R.S. § 13-3407 Statement of factual grounds for the seizure for forfeiture: On September 7, 2025, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Ford F150 occupied by driver Luis Eduardo Soto Hernandez and passenger Flor Maria Espinoza De La Cruz. When officers approached the truck they noticed a strong odor of gasoline. The fuel tank was secured by only one bracket instead of the factory's two, with markings indicating the bed had been removed and reinstalled multiple times. Canine Partner Samson gave a positive alert to the driver's side near the fuel tank. Pursuant to a search warrant, the truck was searched and for-sale amounts of methamphetamine were located. In the passenger compartment, officers found a purple children's purse with the captioned $1,225.00 cash. No one claimed ownership of the money; they said they were traveling to Phoenix to pick up U.S. currency for a man named "Miguel Espinoza," who allegedly offered them $1,000 for the transport back to Mexico. They said they had done similar trips before Luis E. Soto-Hernandez has been indicted on drug trafficking charges related to this investigation in Pima County Superior Court case number CR20254379. III. RESPONDING TO THE NOTICE OF PENDING FORFEITURE Any person or entity wanting to claim a lawful interest in the Defendant Property must sign and file a timely, proper, verified Claim in the Pima County Superior Court using the caption and case number set forth on the top of Page 1 of this Notice. The Claim must satisfy the requirements of A.R.S. § 13-4307, paragraphs (E) and (F). It must be signed by the actual person making the Claim. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-4307 (E) and (F), and 13-4311(D), the Claim must be filed within 60 days after the mailing date of this Notice if the Notice was made by certified mail or within 60 days before a criminal trial related to the facts and circumstances giving rise to this Notice, whichever is later. If the State used a manner other than certified mailing to provide this Notice, the Claim must be filed within 60 days after the date the Notice was made to you by that other manner or within 60 days before a criminal trial related to the facts and circumstances giving rise to this Notice, whichever is later. Additionally, the State takes the position that the existence of circumstances constituting a waiver of the conviction requirement pursuant to A.R.S. §13-4304(F) removes the time period for filing a claim within 60 days of a trial date. If an owner or interest holder does not sign and file a timely, proper, verified Claim for any of the Defendant Property - or interests in the Property - the State will file an application for an order of forfeiture of all Defendant Property and interests pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-4314(A) and the Court may order the forfeiture of the Defendant Property, including all interests in that Property. A person who does not sign and file a timely, proper, verified Claim will not be a party in the action and will not receive further notice of any proceedings. The State reserves the right to use a Claim, Answer and any information or documentation provided in this case against any person or entity in any criminal or civil actions, as provided by law. Copies of a filed Claim must be mailed to both the seizing agency and to the Pima County Attorney at the addresses below. Pima County Attorney's Office Civil Asset Forfeiture Unit 32 N. Stone Ave., Suite 2100 Tucson, AZ 85701 Pima County Sheriff's Department NSIS - Financial Investigations Unit 1750 E. Benson Hwy. Tucson Arizona 85714 IV. ADDITIONAL NOTICE The Clerk of Court cannot require the payment of a fee for the filing of a forfeiture Claim. No separate cost bond is required to make or file a Claim. You are hereby on notice that the Defendant Property has been seized for forfeiture and is subject to this pending forfeiture action. Participation in, exercise of, acceptance of, or acquiescence to any act that is contrary to or that could impede the purpose, intent and operation of this provision is in violation of the law and is subject to remedies and consequences provided by law. The Attorney for the State cannot assist you in preparing a Claim or any other documents and cannot provide you with legal advice or assistance. You may and should consult an attorney of your choice. If you have not previously received a Notice of Seizure for Forfeiture, this is such notice pursuant to A.R.S. §13-3406. Providing this Notice to you does not constitute an actual or implied acknowledgment or assent by the State that the recipient is in fact an owner or interest holder in the Defendant Property, nor does it convey any such position or standing or party status on a recipient. DATED this 14th day of May, 2026.LAURA CONOVER Pima County Attorney By Ellen R. Brown Deputy County Attorney A conformed copy of this document is to be mailed via USPS Certified Mail, return receipt requested, and via USPS First Class Mail to all known owners or interest holders of the captioned property and to any known criminal and civil attorneys for such persons/entities. APPENDIX ONE 1. U.S. CURRENCY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,225.00 (RA02) Taken from a 1999 Ford F150 at Twin Peaks and Interstate 10 in Pima County on or about 09/07/2025.Publish: The Daily TerritorialDate: May 18, 2026DTT013651
