26-00288M

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR
FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Case No.: 2025 CA 002962 AX Agency Case No.: 2025-022264
IN RE: FORFEITURE OF:
NINETEEN THOUSAND
FIFTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($19,055.00) IN U.S. CURRENCY
TO: RACHEL ANN MERKEL, Last Known Residence: 2529 River Preserve Ct., Bradenton, FL 34208:
YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act has been filed by Petitioner, Manatee County Sheriffs Office. On December 5, 2025, in Bradenton, Mantee County, the Manatee County Sheriff’s office seized and holds the above-captioned property.
A Complaint for forfeiture has been filed against you in the Circuit Court in Manatee County, Florida, for the purpose of obtaining a Final Order of Forfeiture as to the above-described property upon producing due proof that same was used in violation of the Florida laws dealing with contraband, pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, Sections 932.701-704, Florida Statutes (2025).
You are required to serve a copy of your written defense, if any, to Brian A. Iten, General Counsel, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, at the address of 600 Hwy. 301 Blvd. W., Ste. 202, Bradenton, FL 34205 within 20 days after last publication of this Notice, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on Petitioner’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
Dated February 6, 2026. /s/ Brian A. Iten, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0012051, General Counsel, Manatee County Sheriffs Office. Email: brian.iten@manateesheriffcom, [email protected], 600 US Hwy 301 Blvd. West, Ste. 202, Bradenton, FL 34205. Telephone: (941) 747-3011 x2950.
“In and for Manatee County:
If you cannot afford an attorney, contact Gulfcoast Legal Services at (941) 746-6151 or www.gulfcoastlegal.org, or Legal Aid of Manasota at (941) 747-1628 or www.legalaidofmanasota.org. If you do not qualify for free legal assistance or do not know an attorney, you may email an attorney referral service (listed in the phone book) or contact the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 342-8011.”
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Manatee County Jury Office, P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, Florida 34206, (941) 741-4062, at least seven (7) days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than seven (7) days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
DATED: 2/17/2026
ANGELINA COLONNESO, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
BY: (SEAL) K. Gaffney
Deputy Clerk
February 20, 27, 2026 26-00288M

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