Bell v. Moore

CourtDistrict Court, S.D. West Virginia
DecidedApril 9, 2025
Docket2:25-cv-00198
StatusUnknown

This text of Bell v. Moore (Bell v. Moore) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. West Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bell v. Moore, (S.D.W. Va. 2025).

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA

CHARLESTON DIVISION

JAYLEN DALAINO BELL,

Plaintiff, Civil Action No. 2:25-cv-00198 v.

DAVID KYLE MOORE, in his official and individual capacity as Prosecuting Attorney for Jackson County, West Virginia,

Defendant.

PROPOSED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION Pending before the Court is the Plaintiff’s “Complaint for Identity Theft, Invasion of Privacy, and Constitutional Violations” (ECF No. 1). By Standing Order, this matter was referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge for the submission of proposed findings of fact and a recommendation for disposition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B). (ECF No. 2) Having examined the “Complaint”1 (ECF No. 2), the undersigned concludes that this case must be dismissed given this Court enjoys inherent authority to dismiss complaints at any time if the Court

1 While it is the undersigned’s practice to allow pro se litigants to amend their complaints when upon initial review, there appears no cognizable claim for relief, the undersigned has no confidence that this particular litigant will be able to comply with that directive given this Plaintiff’s previous failure to comply with the Court’s Order in Civil Action No. 2:25-cv-00134 (ECF No. 6).

1 determines that the action fails to state a claim for which relief can be granted.2 3 Factual Allegations The Plaintiff brings this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and alleges that the Defendant, the prosecuting attorney for Jackson County, West Virginia, while

acting under color of law and within the scope of his official duties, initiated an Interstate Identification Index (also known colloquially as a “Triple I report”) criminal background inquiry on January 30, 2023, subsequent to the Plaintiff’s arrest on or about January 3, 2021 (ECF No. 1 at 2). This resulted in the acquisition of the Plaintiff’s Social Security Number (“SSN”) (Id.). The Plaintiff asserts that he did not consent to his personal identifying information being obtained and the Defendant’s actions have exposed the Plaintiff to an “increased risk of identity fraud, financial harm, and reputational damage, and have caused severe emotional distress.” (Id. at 3) The Plaintiff states that he only recently learned of the Defendant’s unauthorized acquisition of his personal data (Id.).

2 See Ross v. Baron, 493 Fed.Appx. 405, 406 (4th Cir. 2012)(“frivolous complaints are subject to dismissal pursuant to the inherent authority of the court, even when the filing fee has been paid); see, e.g., Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 307–08, 109 S.Ct. 1814, 104 L.Ed.2d 318 (1989) (“Section 1915(d) ... authorizes courts to dismiss a ‘frivolous or malicious’ action, but there is little doubt they would have the power to do so even in the absence of this statutory provision.”); Fitzgerald v. First E. Seventh St., 221 F.3d 362, 364 (2d Cir. 2000); see also, Ricketts v. Midwest Nat’l Bank, 874 F.2d 1177, 1181-83 (7th Cir. 1989)(because a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an obviously frivolous complaint, dismissal prior to service of process if permitted); and see, e.g., Cabbill v. United States, 2015 WL 6905072, at *5 (D.S.C. Nov. 9, 2015).

While the undersigned notes the Plaintiff failed to file an Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Fees or Costs, or pay the filing and administrative fee in this action, it is noted that this particular Plaintiff has filed numerous lawsuits in this Court recently, and had in those cases, filed the appropriate paperwork to proceed in forma pauperis. See Case No. 2:25-cv-00132, ECF Nos. 1, 2, 3; Case No. 2:25-cv-00134, ECF Nos. 1, 2; Case No. 2:25-cv- 00155, ECF No. 1; Case No. 2:25-cv-00196, ECF No. 1. In any event, for the reasons set forth herein, the undersigned declines to direct this Plaintiff to submit the Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Fees or Costs, or pay the filing and administrative fee.

3 Because the Plaintiff is proceeding pro se, the documents she filed in this case are held to a less stringent standard than had they been prepared by a lawyer, therefore, they are construed liberally. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520-521 (1972). 2 The Plaintiff alleges five claims against the Defendant: for Count I, identity theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028; for Count II, the West Virginia state common law claim of invasion of privacy; for Count III, violation of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a; for Count IV, violations of the Plaintiff’s Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights; and for Count V, violation of the West

Virginia Identity Theft Statute pursuant to W. Va. Code § 61-3-54. (Id. at 3-4) The Plaintiff asks for declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, statutory damages, reasonable attorney fees and costs and for any other relief this Court deems just and proper. (Id. at 4) The Standard As noted supra, the Complaint is subject to pre-service screening. On screening, the Court must recommend dismissal of the case if the complaint is frivolous, malicious or fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. A “frivolous” complaint is one which is based upon an indisputably meritless legal theory. Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25 (1992). A “frivolous” claim lacks “an arguable basis either in law or in fact.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989).

A claim lacks an arguable basis in law when it is “based on an indisputably meritless legal theory.” Id., 490 U.S. at 327. Although the standards for screening pursuant to Section 1915A and a Rule 12(b)(6) motion may be the same, a Court should look with “a far more forgiving eye” when examining whether a complaint rests on a meritless legal theory. Nancy v. Kelly, 912 F.2d 605, 607 (2nd Cir. 1990). A claim lacks an arguable basis in fact when it describes “fantastic or delusional scenarios.” Id., 490 U.S. at 327-328. A complaint, therefore, fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted factually when it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which would entitle him to relief. Deference is given to pro se

3 Complaints. See Gordon v. Leeke, 574 F.2d 1147, 1153 (4th Cir. 1978) (A District Court should allow pro se plaintiffs reasonable opportunity to develop pleadings.); Coleman v. Peyton, 370 F.2d 603, 604 (4th Cir. 1965) (Pro se plaintiff should be given an opportunity to particularize potentially viable claims.). A pro se Complaint may therefore be dismissed for failure to state a claim only if

it appears “beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which would entitle him to relief.” Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 521 (1972), quoting Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46 (1957).

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Bell v. Moore, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bell-v-moore-wvsd-2025.