By Gina Tabonares
Variety News Staff

THE U.S. Attorney’s Office reiterated its plea to default a defendant’s claim and insist the District Court of Guam take ownership of a Barrigada property used in distributing illegal drugs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karon Johnson submitted a second motion to strike the pleadings made by Judith Ann F. Mateo, the alleged owner of the Barrigada house on Borja Street, arguing that the defendant only asserted her Fifth Amendment right but failed to support a claim for the house and lot.
Mateo and her son Jacob were occupants of the said property which was raided on Aug. 21, 2006 in a buy bust operation.
Authorities from the Drug Enforcement Administration recovered drug paraphernalia and $46,000 in cash. The money was forfeited by the federal government two weeks ago.
The mother and son pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride and of distribution of methamphetamine.
An accomplice, Robert Duenas Quidachay, also confessed that Mateo was trafficking drugs out of her Barrigada residence.
Civil forfeiture actions were brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office against the Barrigada residence and all the property derived from proceeds traceable to the violation of the controlled substances law.
The property became a subject of forfeiture after authorities discovered that the residence was bought from, and was used for, selling illegal drugs
A notice for claimants in the property has been issued but only John Blas filed a petition on Dec. 29, 2006. Blas, however, cancelled and withdrew his claim on Jan. 29, 2007.
The Barrigada house and lot is being claimed by Mateo, who is asserting her ownership of the property.
When Mateo entered a guilty plea in September, she admitted selling “ice” out of her residence at 142A Borja St. in Barrigada.
Johnson said Mateo failed to answer the government’s interrogatories and refused to comply with discoveries warranting a dismissal of her claim and the entry of a default judgment against the claimant.