1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 7 CALEB J. AZUCENA, Case No. 23-cv-03234-HSG
8 Plaintiff, ORDER OF SERVICE; GRANTING LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA 9 v. PAUPERIS
10 RUNJYIN, Re: Dkt. No. 2 11 Defendant.
12 13 Plaintiff Caleb Azucena brings this Bivens action against the United States Customs and 14 Border Protection agent Runjyin. See Dkt. No. 1. Plaintiff has also filed an application for leave 15 to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. See Dkt. No. 2. For the reasons detailed 16 below, the Court GRANTS the application for in forma pauperis status, orders the United States 17 Marshal to effect service on defendant Runjyin, and sets a briefing schedule. 18 DISCUSSION 19 The Court may authorize the commencement of a civil action in forma pauperis if it is 20 satisfied that the would-be litigant cannot pay the filing fees necessary to pursue the action and 21 that the action states a claim on which relief may be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1), (e)(2); 22 Escobedo v. Applebees, 787 F.3d 1226, 1234 (9th Cir. 2015). If the Court determines that the 23 action “fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted,” it must dismiss the case. 28 U.S.C. 24 § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). 25 I. In Forma Pauperis Application 26 The Court has reviewed Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and 27 finds that Plaintiff is unable to pay the full amount of fees, costs or give security. Escobedo, 787 1 affiant cannot pay the court costs and still afford the necessities of life.”). The Court therefore 2 GRANTS Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Dkt. No. 2. 3 II. Section 1915(e) Screening and Ordering Service 4 Section 1915(e)(2) mandates that the Court review an in forma pauperis complaint before 5 directing the United States Marshal to serve the complaint. Escobedo, 787 F.3d at 1234 & n.8. 6 The Court must dismiss a complaint if it fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. 7 Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998). “The standard for determining 8 whether a plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted under § 9 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) is the same as the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) standard for failure 10 to state a claim.” Watison v. Carter, 668 F.3d 1108, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012) (citing Lopez v. Smith, 11 203 F.3d 1122, 1127–31 (9th Cir. 2000)). The complaint must include a “short and plain 12 statement,” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2), and “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim 13 to relief that is plausible on its face.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quotation 14 omitted). Plaintiff must provide the grounds that entitle him to relief. Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 15 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed. See United States v. 16 Qazi, 975 F.3d 989, 993 (9th Cir. 2020). 17 Plaintiff alleges that on February 6, 2022, at San Francisco International Airport, during 18 the course of a pat-down, defendant Runjyin grabbed Plaintiff’s penis and buttock. At the end of 19 the pat down, Plaintiff asked if defendant Runjyin was finished. Defendant Runjyin then 20 proceeded to pat down Plaintiff two more times, again grabbing Plaintiff’s penis and buttock in 21 the course of the pat down. Plaintiff’s passport was ultimately confiscated and Plaintiff was 22 unable to make it to his destination. Plaintiff’s airline ticket was not refunded. Plaintiff requests 23 that the Court grant him “any relief.” See generally Dkt. No. 1. 24 The Court finds that, liberally construed, Plaintiff’s complaint establishes a facially 25 plausible Bivens claim and is sufficient to meet the screening requirement under 28 U.S.C. 26 § 1915(a)(1), (e)(2). See Bivens v. Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971) 27 (holding that victim of Fourth Amendment violation by federal officers had damages claim). 1 issue summons and that the U.S. Marshal or the Clerk’s Office for the Northern District of 2 California serve, without prepayment of fees, a copy of the complaint, any amendments, 3 attachments, scheduling orders and other documents specified by the Clerk, and this order upon 4 United States Customs and Border Protection agent Runjyin at the United States Customs and 5 Border Protection San Francisco field office, at 33 New Montgomery Street, 16th Floor, San 6 Francisco, CA 94105. 7 CONCLUSION 8 For the reasons set forth above, the Court orders as follows. 9 1. The Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. 10 Dkt. No. 2. 11 2. Liberally construed, the complaint states a cognizable Bivens claim against United 12 States Customs and Border Protection agent Runjyin. 13 3. The Clerk shall issue summons and the United States Marshal shall serve, without 14 prepayment of fees, a copy of the operative complaint (Dkt. No. 1), with all attachments thereto, 15 and a copy of this order upon defendant United States Customs and Border Protection agent 16 Runjyin at the United States Customs and Border Protection San Francisco field office, at 33 17 New Montgomery Street, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, with a courtesy copy sent to 18 United States Custom and Border Protection Associate Chief Counsel (San Francisco), at 555 19 Battery Street, Ste 116, San Francisco CA 94111. 20 4. In order to expedite the resolution of this case, the Court orders as follows: 21 a. No later than 91 days from the date this order is filed, Defendant must file 22 and serve a motion for summary judgment or other dispositive motion. If Defendant is of the 23 opinion that this case cannot be resolved by summary judgment, Defendant must so inform the 24 Court prior to the date the motion is due. A motion for summary judgment also must be 25 accompanied by a Rand notice so that Plaintiff will have fair, timely, and adequate notice of what 26 is required of him in order to oppose the motion. Woods v. Carey, 684 F.3d 934, 939 (9th Cir. 27 2012) (notice requirement set out in Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952 (9th Cir. 1998), must be 1 b. Plaintiff’s opposition to the summary judgment or other dispositive motion 2 must be filed with the Court and served upon Defendants no later than 28 days from the date the 3 motion is filed.
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1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 7 CALEB J. AZUCENA, Case No. 23-cv-03234-HSG
8 Plaintiff, ORDER OF SERVICE; GRANTING LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA 9 v. PAUPERIS
10 RUNJYIN, Re: Dkt. No. 2 11 Defendant.
12 13 Plaintiff Caleb Azucena brings this Bivens action against the United States Customs and 14 Border Protection agent Runjyin. See Dkt. No. 1. Plaintiff has also filed an application for leave 15 to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. See Dkt. No. 2. For the reasons detailed 16 below, the Court GRANTS the application for in forma pauperis status, orders the United States 17 Marshal to effect service on defendant Runjyin, and sets a briefing schedule. 18 DISCUSSION 19 The Court may authorize the commencement of a civil action in forma pauperis if it is 20 satisfied that the would-be litigant cannot pay the filing fees necessary to pursue the action and 21 that the action states a claim on which relief may be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1), (e)(2); 22 Escobedo v. Applebees, 787 F.3d 1226, 1234 (9th Cir. 2015). If the Court determines that the 23 action “fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted,” it must dismiss the case. 28 U.S.C. 24 § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). 25 I. In Forma Pauperis Application 26 The Court has reviewed Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and 27 finds that Plaintiff is unable to pay the full amount of fees, costs or give security. Escobedo, 787 1 affiant cannot pay the court costs and still afford the necessities of life.”). The Court therefore 2 GRANTS Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Dkt. No. 2. 3 II. Section 1915(e) Screening and Ordering Service 4 Section 1915(e)(2) mandates that the Court review an in forma pauperis complaint before 5 directing the United States Marshal to serve the complaint. Escobedo, 787 F.3d at 1234 & n.8. 6 The Court must dismiss a complaint if it fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. 7 Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998). “The standard for determining 8 whether a plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted under § 9 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) is the same as the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) standard for failure 10 to state a claim.” Watison v. Carter, 668 F.3d 1108, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012) (citing Lopez v. Smith, 11 203 F.3d 1122, 1127–31 (9th Cir. 2000)). The complaint must include a “short and plain 12 statement,” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2), and “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim 13 to relief that is plausible on its face.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quotation 14 omitted). Plaintiff must provide the grounds that entitle him to relief. Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 15 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed. See United States v. 16 Qazi, 975 F.3d 989, 993 (9th Cir. 2020). 17 Plaintiff alleges that on February 6, 2022, at San Francisco International Airport, during 18 the course of a pat-down, defendant Runjyin grabbed Plaintiff’s penis and buttock. At the end of 19 the pat down, Plaintiff asked if defendant Runjyin was finished. Defendant Runjyin then 20 proceeded to pat down Plaintiff two more times, again grabbing Plaintiff’s penis and buttock in 21 the course of the pat down. Plaintiff’s passport was ultimately confiscated and Plaintiff was 22 unable to make it to his destination. Plaintiff’s airline ticket was not refunded. Plaintiff requests 23 that the Court grant him “any relief.” See generally Dkt. No. 1. 24 The Court finds that, liberally construed, Plaintiff’s complaint establishes a facially 25 plausible Bivens claim and is sufficient to meet the screening requirement under 28 U.S.C. 26 § 1915(a)(1), (e)(2). See Bivens v. Six Unknown Fed. Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971) 27 (holding that victim of Fourth Amendment violation by federal officers had damages claim). 1 issue summons and that the U.S. Marshal or the Clerk’s Office for the Northern District of 2 California serve, without prepayment of fees, a copy of the complaint, any amendments, 3 attachments, scheduling orders and other documents specified by the Clerk, and this order upon 4 United States Customs and Border Protection agent Runjyin at the United States Customs and 5 Border Protection San Francisco field office, at 33 New Montgomery Street, 16th Floor, San 6 Francisco, CA 94105. 7 CONCLUSION 8 For the reasons set forth above, the Court orders as follows. 9 1. The Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. 10 Dkt. No. 2. 11 2. Liberally construed, the complaint states a cognizable Bivens claim against United 12 States Customs and Border Protection agent Runjyin. 13 3. The Clerk shall issue summons and the United States Marshal shall serve, without 14 prepayment of fees, a copy of the operative complaint (Dkt. No. 1), with all attachments thereto, 15 and a copy of this order upon defendant United States Customs and Border Protection agent 16 Runjyin at the United States Customs and Border Protection San Francisco field office, at 33 17 New Montgomery Street, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, with a courtesy copy sent to 18 United States Custom and Border Protection Associate Chief Counsel (San Francisco), at 555 19 Battery Street, Ste 116, San Francisco CA 94111. 20 4. In order to expedite the resolution of this case, the Court orders as follows: 21 a. No later than 91 days from the date this order is filed, Defendant must file 22 and serve a motion for summary judgment or other dispositive motion. If Defendant is of the 23 opinion that this case cannot be resolved by summary judgment, Defendant must so inform the 24 Court prior to the date the motion is due. A motion for summary judgment also must be 25 accompanied by a Rand notice so that Plaintiff will have fair, timely, and adequate notice of what 26 is required of him in order to oppose the motion. Woods v. Carey, 684 F.3d 934, 939 (9th Cir. 27 2012) (notice requirement set out in Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952 (9th Cir. 1998), must be 1 b. Plaintiff’s opposition to the summary judgment or other dispositive motion 2 must be filed with the Court and served upon Defendants no later than 28 days from the date the 3 motion is filed. Plaintiff must bear in mind the notice and warning regarding summary judgment 4 provided later in this order as he prepares his opposition to any motion for summary judgment. 5 c. Defendant shall file a reply brief no later than 14 days after the date the 6 opposition is filed. The motion shall be deemed submitted as of the date the reply brief is due. No 7 hearing will be held on the motion. 8 5. Plaintiff is advised that a motion for summary judgment under Rule 56 of the 9 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure will, if granted, end your case. Rule 56 tells you what you must 10 do in order to oppose a motion for summary judgment. Generally, summary judgment must be 11 granted when there is no genuine issue of material fact – that is, if there is no real dispute about 12 any fact that would affect the result of your case, the party who asked for summary judgment is 13 entitled to judgment as a matter of law, which will end your case. When a party you are suing 14 makes a motion for summary judgment that is properly supported by declarations (or other sworn 15 testimony), you cannot simply rely on what your complaint says. Instead, you must set out 16 specific facts in declarations, depositions, answers to interrogatories, or authenticated documents, 17 as provided in Rule 56(c), that contradict the facts shown in the defendant’s declarations and 18 documents and show that there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. If you do not submit 19 your own evidence in opposition, summary judgment, if appropriate, may be entered against you. 20 If summary judgment is granted, your case will be dismissed and there will be no trial. Rand v. 21 Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 962–63 (9th Cir. 1998) (en banc) (App. A). (The Rand notice above does 22 not excuse defendant’s obligation to serve said notice again concurrently with a motion for 23 summary judgment. Woods, 684 F.3d at 939). 24 6. All communications by Plaintiff with the Court must be served on 25 Defendant’s counsel by mailing a true copy of the document to Defendant’s counsel. The Court 26 may disregard any document which a party files but fails to send a copy of to his opponent. Until 27 Defendant’s counsel has been designated, Plaintiff may mail a true copy of the document directly 1 to Defendant, but once Defendant is represented by counsel, all documents must be mailed to 2 || counsel rather than directly to Defendant. 3 7. Discovery may be taken in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 4 No further court order under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(a)(2) or Local Rule 16 is required 5 before the parties may conduct discovery. 6 8. Plaintiff is responsible for prosecuting this case. Plaintiff must promptly keep the 7 || Court informed of any change of address and must comply with the Court’s orders in a timely 8 fashion. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of this action for failure to prosecute pursuant 9 || to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). Plaintiff must file a notice of change of address in every 10 || pending case every time he is moved to a new facility. 11 9. Any motion for an extension of time must be filed no later than the deadline sought 12 || to be extended and must be accompanied by a showing of good cause. 5 13 10. Plaintiff is cautioned that he must include the case name and case number for this 14 || case on any document he submits to the Court for consideration in this case. 3 15 This order terminates Dkt. No. 2. a 16 IT IS SO ORDERED. 17 || Datea: 1/12/2024 Alnpurl 8 Mb). HAYWOOD S. GILLIAM, JR. 19 United States District Judge 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28