UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
ERIC L. GONZALEZ, Case No. 24-cv-06675-RFL (PR)
Plaintiff, ORDER OF SERVICE;
v. ORDER DIRECTING DEFENDANT TO FILE A DISPOSITIVE MOTION SEAN TUMACDER, et al., OR NOTICE REGARDING SUCH MOTION; Defendants. INSTRUCTIONS TO CLERK
INTRODUCTION Plaintiff Eric L. Gonzalez alleges that a unit captain denied him his right to exercise his religion and unjustly denied his request to lower his custody status. His 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint containing these allegations is now before the Court for review pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). Gonzalez has stated claims under the Free Exercise Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act against Defendant Sean Tumacder, a Unit Captain at CTF-Soledad. All other claims and Defendants are DISMISSED with prejudice. The Court directs Defendant Tumacder to file in response to the complaint a dispositive motion, or a notice regarding such motion, on or before June 2, 2025. DISCUSSION A. Standard of Review A federal court must conduct a preliminary screening in any case in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). In its review, the court must identify any cognizable claims and dismiss any claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See id. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed. See Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). A “complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556). Furthermore, a court “is not required to accept legal conclusions cast in the form of factual allegations if those conclusions cannot reasonably be drawn from the facts alleged.” Clegg v. Cult Awareness Network, 18 F.3d 752, 754-55 (9th Cir. 1994). To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two essential elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was violated, and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under the color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). B. Legal Claims Gonzalez alleges that on January 9, 2024 at CTF-Soledad Unit Captain Sean Tumacder denied his request to participate in the Family Visiting Program. (Compl., Dkt. No. 2 at 3.) Gonzalez alleges that this denial prevented him from practicing “his Christian religion of privately worshipping with family members and others who would be allowed to participate in the Family Visiting.” (Id.) When liberally construed, Gonzalez has stated claims under the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause and under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA, 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc et seq.) against Tumacder. Gonzalez also alleges that on that same day, Tumacder denied his request to lower his custody restrictions, even though the parole board had recommended that they be lowered. (Compl., Dkt. No. 1 at 3-4.) He also denied Gonzalez the opportunity to present evidence in support of his request. (Id.) When liberally construed, Gonzalez has stated a due process claim against Tumacder. All other claims and Defendants are DISMISSED. His allegations against J. Moeckly, a grievance reviewer, and Jeff Macomber, the Secretary of the CDCR, for denying his grievances are DISMISSED with prejudice. Mere involvement in reviewing an inmate’s administrative grievance does not necessarily demonstrate awareness of an alleged violation, or contribute to the underlying violation. George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 609 (7th Cir. 2007). “Only persons who cause or participate in the violations are responsible.” Id. “Ruling against a prisoner on an administrative complaint does not cause or contribute to the violation.” Id. His claims against Macomber for authorizing the regulation that prevents him from participating in family visits and the regulation that denied him the opportunity to present evidence are DISMISSED with prejudice. Gonzalez’s claim does not state a basis for challenging to the regulations themselves, but rather Tumacder’s application of those regulations to Gonzalez. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, the Court orders as follows: 1. The Court orders service of the complaint (Dkt. No. 1), and all attachments thereto, on Defendant Sean Tumacder, a Unit Captain at CTF-Soledad, and orders this Defendant to respond to the cognizable claims raised in the complaint. 2. Service on this Defendant shall proceed under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s e-service program for civil rights cases from prisoners in CDCR custody. In accordance with the program, the Clerk is directed to serve on CDCR via email the following documents: the complaint (Docket No. 1) and its attachments; this order; a CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver form; and a summons. The Clerk also shall serve a copy of this order on the Plaintiff. 3. No later than 40 days after service of this order via email on CDCR, CDCR shall provide the Court a completed CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver advising the court which Defendant(s) listed in this Order will be waiving service of process without the need for service by the United States Marshal Service (USMS) and which Defendant(s) decline to waive service or could not be reached. CDCR also shall provide a copy of the CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver to the California Attorney General’s Office which, within 21 days, shall file with the Court a waiver of service of process for the Defendant(s) who are waiving service. 4. Upon receipt of the CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver, the Clerk shall prepare for each Defendant who has not waived service according to the CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver a USM-285 Form. The Clerk shall provide to the USMS the completed USM-285 forms and copies of this Order, the summons and the complaint for service upon each Defendant who has not waived service. 5. On or before June 2, 2025, Defendant shall file a motion for summary judgment or other dispositive motion with respect to the claim(s) in the complaint found to be cognizable above. a. If Defendant elects to file a motion to dismiss on the grounds Plaintiff failed to exhaust his available administrative remedies as required by 42 U.S.C. § 1997e
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
ERIC L. GONZALEZ, Case No. 24-cv-06675-RFL (PR)
Plaintiff, ORDER OF SERVICE;
v. ORDER DIRECTING DEFENDANT TO FILE A DISPOSITIVE MOTION SEAN TUMACDER, et al., OR NOTICE REGARDING SUCH MOTION; Defendants. INSTRUCTIONS TO CLERK
INTRODUCTION Plaintiff Eric L. Gonzalez alleges that a unit captain denied him his right to exercise his religion and unjustly denied his request to lower his custody status. His 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint containing these allegations is now before the Court for review pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). Gonzalez has stated claims under the Free Exercise Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act against Defendant Sean Tumacder, a Unit Captain at CTF-Soledad. All other claims and Defendants are DISMISSED with prejudice. The Court directs Defendant Tumacder to file in response to the complaint a dispositive motion, or a notice regarding such motion, on or before June 2, 2025. DISCUSSION A. Standard of Review A federal court must conduct a preliminary screening in any case in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). In its review, the court must identify any cognizable claims and dismiss any claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See id. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed. See Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). A “complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556). Furthermore, a court “is not required to accept legal conclusions cast in the form of factual allegations if those conclusions cannot reasonably be drawn from the facts alleged.” Clegg v. Cult Awareness Network, 18 F.3d 752, 754-55 (9th Cir. 1994). To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two essential elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was violated, and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under the color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). B. Legal Claims Gonzalez alleges that on January 9, 2024 at CTF-Soledad Unit Captain Sean Tumacder denied his request to participate in the Family Visiting Program. (Compl., Dkt. No. 2 at 3.) Gonzalez alleges that this denial prevented him from practicing “his Christian religion of privately worshipping with family members and others who would be allowed to participate in the Family Visiting.” (Id.) When liberally construed, Gonzalez has stated claims under the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause and under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA, 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc et seq.) against Tumacder. Gonzalez also alleges that on that same day, Tumacder denied his request to lower his custody restrictions, even though the parole board had recommended that they be lowered. (Compl., Dkt. No. 1 at 3-4.) He also denied Gonzalez the opportunity to present evidence in support of his request. (Id.) When liberally construed, Gonzalez has stated a due process claim against Tumacder. All other claims and Defendants are DISMISSED. His allegations against J. Moeckly, a grievance reviewer, and Jeff Macomber, the Secretary of the CDCR, for denying his grievances are DISMISSED with prejudice. Mere involvement in reviewing an inmate’s administrative grievance does not necessarily demonstrate awareness of an alleged violation, or contribute to the underlying violation. George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 609 (7th Cir. 2007). “Only persons who cause or participate in the violations are responsible.” Id. “Ruling against a prisoner on an administrative complaint does not cause or contribute to the violation.” Id. His claims against Macomber for authorizing the regulation that prevents him from participating in family visits and the regulation that denied him the opportunity to present evidence are DISMISSED with prejudice. Gonzalez’s claim does not state a basis for challenging to the regulations themselves, but rather Tumacder’s application of those regulations to Gonzalez. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, the Court orders as follows: 1. The Court orders service of the complaint (Dkt. No. 1), and all attachments thereto, on Defendant Sean Tumacder, a Unit Captain at CTF-Soledad, and orders this Defendant to respond to the cognizable claims raised in the complaint. 2. Service on this Defendant shall proceed under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s e-service program for civil rights cases from prisoners in CDCR custody. In accordance with the program, the Clerk is directed to serve on CDCR via email the following documents: the complaint (Docket No. 1) and its attachments; this order; a CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver form; and a summons. The Clerk also shall serve a copy of this order on the Plaintiff. 3. No later than 40 days after service of this order via email on CDCR, CDCR shall provide the Court a completed CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver advising the court which Defendant(s) listed in this Order will be waiving service of process without the need for service by the United States Marshal Service (USMS) and which Defendant(s) decline to waive service or could not be reached. CDCR also shall provide a copy of the CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver to the California Attorney General’s Office which, within 21 days, shall file with the Court a waiver of service of process for the Defendant(s) who are waiving service. 4. Upon receipt of the CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver, the Clerk shall prepare for each Defendant who has not waived service according to the CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver a USM-285 Form. The Clerk shall provide to the USMS the completed USM-285 forms and copies of this Order, the summons and the complaint for service upon each Defendant who has not waived service. 5. On or before June 2, 2025, Defendant shall file a motion for summary judgment or other dispositive motion with respect to the claim(s) in the complaint found to be cognizable above. a. If Defendant elects to file a motion to dismiss on the grounds Plaintiff failed to exhaust his available administrative remedies as required by 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a), Defendant shall do so in a motion for summary judgment, as required by Albino v. Baca, 747 F.3d 1162 (9th Cir. 2014). b. Any motion for summary judgment shall be supported by adequate factual documentation and shall conform in all respects to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Defendant is advised that summary judgment cannot be granted, nor qualified immunity found, if material facts are in dispute. If any Defendant is of the opinion that this case cannot be resolved by summary judgment, they shall so inform the Court prior to the date the summary judgment motion is due. 6. Plaintiff’s opposition to the dispositive motion shall be filed with the Court and served on Defendant no later than forty-five (45) days from the date Defendant’s motion is filed. 7. Defendant shall file a reply brief no later than fifteen (15) days after Plaintiff’s opposition is filed. 8. The motion shall be deemed submitted as of the date the reply brief is due. No hearing will be held on the motion unless the Court so orders at a later date. 9. All communications by the Plaintiff with the Court must be served on Defendant, or on Defendant’s counsel once counsel has been designated, by mailing a true copy of the document to Defendant or Defendant’s counsel. 10. Discovery may be taken in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. No further court order under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(a)(2) or Local Rule 16-1 is required before the parties may conduct discovery. Plaintiff is reminded that state prisoners may review all non-confidential material in their medical and central files, pursuant to In re Olson, 37 Cal. App. 3d 783 (Cal. Ct. App. 1974); 15 California Code of Regulations § 3370; and the CDCR’s Department Operations Manual §§ 13030.4, 13030.16, 13030.16.1-13030.16.3, 13030.21, and 71010.11.1. Requests to review these files or for copies of materials in them must be made directly to prison officials, not to the Court. Plaintiff may also use any applicable jail procedures to request copies of (or the opportunity to review) any reports, medical records, or other records maintained by jail officials that are relevant to the claims found cognizable in this Order. Such requests must be made directly to jail officials, not to the Court. 11. It is Plaintiff’s responsibility to prosecute this case. Plaintiff must keep the Court informed of any change of address and must comply with the Court’s orders in a timely fashion. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of this action for failure to prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). 12. Extensions of time must be filed no later than the deadline sought to be extended and must be accompanied by a showing of good cause. 13. A decision from the Ninth Circuit requires that pro se prisoner-plaintiffs be given “notice of what is required of them in order to oppose” summary judgment motions at the time of filing of the motions, rather than when the court orders service of process or otherwise before the motions are filed. Woods v. Carey, 684 F.3d 934, 939-41 (9th Cir. 2012). Defendant shall provide the following notice to Plaintiff when they file and serve any motion for summary judgment: The defendants have made a motion for summary judgment by which they seek to have your case dismissed. A motion for summary judgment under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure will, if granted, end your case. Rule 56 tells you what you must do in order to oppose a motion for summary judgment. Generally, summary judgment must be granted when there is no genuine issue of material fact — that is, if there is no real dispute about any fact that would affect the result of your case, the party who asked for summary judgment is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, which will end your case. When a party you are suing makes a motion for summary judgment that is properly supported by declarations (or other sworn testimony), you cannot simply rely on what your complaint says. Instead, you must set out specific facts in declarations, depositions, answers to interrogatories, or authenticated documents, as provided in Rule 56(e), that contradict the facts shown in the defendants’ declarations and documents and show that there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. If you do not submit your own evidence in opposition, summary judgment, if appropriate, may be entered against you. If summary judgment is granted, your case will be dismissed and there will be no trial. Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 962-963 (9th Cir. 1998). IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: January 28, 2025 AS. RITA F. LIN United States District Judge