Alexander v. Schleder

790 F. Supp. 2d 1179, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54736, 2011 WL 1811048
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. California
DecidedMay 12, 2011
Docket1:09-cv-00434
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 790 F. Supp. 2d 1179 (Alexander v. Schleder) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Alexander v. Schleder, 790 F. Supp. 2d 1179, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54736, 2011 WL 1811048 (E.D. Cal. 2011).

Opinion

ORDER REGARDING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS (Doc. No. 1) ORDER DIRECTING CLERK TO ENTER JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF RESPONDENT

DENNIS L. BECK, United States Magistrate Judge.

Tony B. Alexander (hereinafter “Petitioner”) is a federal prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1), the parties have consented to the jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge. Local Rule 301(b).

*1181 BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Petitioner is a federal inmate serving a 292 month sentence from the Western District of North Carolina for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base near a protected location, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. See Respondent Attachment 1. At the time the challenged incident reports were issued, Petitioner was housed at the Federal Correctional Institution (“Estill FCI”) in Es-till, North Carolina. In March 2009, when Petitioner filed the instant petition, he was in the custody of the United States Penitentiary in Atwater, California. Since the filing of his petition, Petitioner has been transferred and is currently in the custody of the United States Penitentiary in Pollock, Louisiana.

Petitioner filed the instant petition for writ of habeas corpus on March 9, 2009. Petitioner asserts that his due process rights were violated because he was not allowed to present a surveillance video in his defense at his prison disciplinary hearing. Respondent filed an answer to the petition on January 12, 2010. Petitioner filed a traverse on March 8, 2010.

FACTUAL HISTORY

On October 23, 2007, while Petitioner was housed at the Estill FCI, Officer Gina Martin (“Officer Martin”) wrote Incident Report No. 165827, charging Petitioner with Engaging in Sexual Acts in violation of Code 250, and Indecent Exposure in violation of Code 300. See Respondent Attachment 3. Officer Martin states that on October 23, 2007, at approximately 10:22 am, the following occurred:

While working on [day watch] as Unit AA Officer. I was in the upstairs office, when I turned around and observed inmate Alexander # 12288-058 inside the upstairs cardroom in front of the door with his shorts pulled down to his knees, his right hand was on his penis masturbating while looking at me. Inmate Alexander observed me leaving the office “yelling for him to stop” while approaching the cardroom he continued masturbating. Once I got close to the card-room he pulled up his shorts and exited the cardroom. He picked up the unit phone pretending to talk.

See Respondent Attachment 3. Petitioner was provided a copy of this incident report later this same day by Lieutenant C. Lavant. See Respondent Attachment 3 at 1, 5.

On October 26, 2007, while housed in the Special Housing Unit (“SHU”) at Estill FCI, Officer Tiwanna Jenkins wrote Incident Report No. 1660209, charging Petitioner with Engaging in Sexual Acts in violation of Code 205, as well as Refusing to Obey an Order in violation of Code 307. See Respondent Attachment 4. Officer Jenkins states the following:

On [October 26, 2007, at 7:00 pm], I Officer T. Jenkins was on three range passing out food trays for the evening meal. When I approached cell z-310 and opened the food flap, inmate Alexander, Tony (register # 12288-058) was at the door and I observed him with his penis fully exposed with his hands on it moving in an upward and downward motion. I gave him a direct order to cease his behavior and inmate Alexander refused and continued. I Officer Jenkins then secured the food flap and proceeded with the evening meal.

Id.

Petitioner was provided a copy of Incident Report No. 1660209 on October 27, 2007 by Lieutenant C. Hickey. Id. at 1, 5.

Petitioner sent two Inmate Request to Staff (hereinafter referred to as “cop-outs”), each dated October 26, 2007, and each addressed to Captain Bondurant and Lieutenant Buckler, asking that they re *1182 view the video evidence in connection with these two incident reports. See Petition at 9,10.

With regard to Incident Report No. 1658527, Petitioner asked that Captain Bondurant and Lieutenant Buckler review the security camera facing the cardroom in Unit AA, which he claimed would show that he never stood in front of the card-room door and masturbated. See Petition at 9. On October 29, 2007, Lieutenant Buckler responded to Petitioner that the “area you are referring to is a blind [spot] on the video. Unable to see anything in that area.” Id.

With regard to Incident Report No. 1660209, Petitioner asked that Captain Bondurant and Lieutenant Buckler review the security camera for “three range.” Id. at 10. Petitioner contends that the video would show that Officer Jenkins opened the food flap, handed him two food trays, one apple, filled a cup of juice, and closed the flap, all with no conversation or disruption. Id. Petitioner argues that the videotape would show that his version of the events are accurate and that Officer Jenkin’s report was false. On October 29, 2007, Lieutenant Buckler responded to Petitioner that the “video shows officer passing out food trays, drinks and fruit on range, however it does not show what activities are taking place inside your cell.” Id.

On November 2, 2007, Petitioner appears to have sent a third copout to Lieutenant Buckler, SIS (Special Investigative Services). Id. at 11. In his third copout, Petitioner questioned Lieutenant Buckler’s responses to his first two copouts, and demanded that Lieutenant Buckler determine whether reporting staff lied in the incident reports. Id. It is not clear from the record whether Lieutenant Buckler responded. Id. Petitioner provides what appears to be a response to his third copout that states: “The SIS office was contacted regarding your allegation of staff misconduct. The camera angle was checked by the lieutenant. There is no evidence of misconduct. The officer wrote up the incident as she observed it.” This response is signed by C. Rhodes, case manager. 1 See Petition at 12.

On November 8, 2007, Petitioner alleges to have sent several documents to the DHO (“Discipline Hearing Officer”) via fax. See Petition at 2. Specifically, Petitioner alleges that he sent the DHO copies of all three copouts addressed to Lieutenant Buckler, as described above, and two “Statements of the Case.” Id. The first “Statement of this Case,” dated October 24, 2007, asked that Petitioner’s hearing be postponed so that video surveillance of the cardroom (re: Incident Report No.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
790 F. Supp. 2d 1179, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54736, 2011 WL 1811048, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/alexander-v-schleder-caed-2011.