BRENTWOOD — Federal prosecutors have agreed to hold off on their effort to seize a vast collection of gold jewelry, rubies, rare coins and $415,764 in cash from an alleged drug dealer until his criminal case is resolved in superior court.

John Bouraphael, 32, of Danville is claiming that the cash and jewelry were bought by legitimate means or were gifts — not proceeds from drug sales, according to court documents.

A federal judge has granted a stay of proceedings in U.S. District Court on the asset forfeiture case at the request of defense lawyer Stephen White.

White noted in court papers that pursuing the case could violate his client's right to self incrimination.

Bouraphael was indicted in March in Rockingham County Superior Court on nine charges related to drug dealing and being in possession of a firearm.

County prosecutors say Bouraphael was distributing Oxycodone and marijuana from his Danville home on Cobbler's Ridge Road. He was convicted of drug charges in 2002.

Federal prosecutors are eyeing about 62 items for seizure under drug forfeiture laws.

The items include two gold ingots, each weighing a troy ounce, and three 22-karat gold coins dating between 1863 and 1911. The forfeiture complaint also lists dozens of gold and diamond-studded necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry.

All the items would likely be auctioned if the government wins its case.

In superior court, Bouraphael is facing six counts of being a felon in possession of a weapon, and single counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, sale of a controlled drug and possession of a controlled drug.

Bouraphael was the target of a multi-year drug investigation by the Rockingham County Narcotics Task Force, and police departments in Plaistow and Danville.

On Dec. 21, police executed a search warrant at his house, finding firearms, 80 Oxycodone pills and 17 mason jars holding 5.6 ounces of marijuana, prosecutors say.

Bouraphael had roughly $5,500 in cash at his home, and police found a key to a safety deposit box at a Plaistow bank that held approximately $410,000 in cash, the court petition says.

He is being held at Rockingham County jail for violating his bail conditions. A superior court judge concluded that Bouraphael defied a court order by traveling out of state and had contact with an ex-girlfriend.