Hunt v. Matevousian

336 F. Supp. 3d 1159
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. California
DecidedOctober 1, 2018
DocketCase No. 1:16-cv-01560-LJO-BAM (PC)
StatusPublished
Cited by17 cases

This text of 336 F. Supp. 3d 1159 (Hunt v. Matevousian) 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
Hunt v. Matevousian, 336 F. Supp. 3d 1159 (E.D. Cal. 2018).

Opinion

Lawrence J. O'Neill, UNITED STATES CHIEF DISTRICT JUDGE

Plaintiff Maurice Hunt ("Plaintiff") is a federal prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388, 91 S.Ct. 1999, 29 L.Ed.2d 619 (1971). This matter was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302.

On June 15, 2018, the assigned Magistrate Judge issued findings and recommendations recommending dismissal of this action, with prejudice, for failure to state a claim, and denial of Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction. (ECF No. 29.) Those findings and recommendations were served on Plaintiff and contained notice that any objections thereto were to be filed within fourteen (14) days after service. (Id. at 14.)

Following two extensions of time, Plaintiff's objections were due on or before September 18, 2018. (ECF Nos. 32, 38.) No objections have been filed, and Plaintiff has not otherwise communicated with the Court.

*1163In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), this Court has conducted a de novo review of the case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file, the Court concludes that the Magistrate Judge's findings and recommendations are supported by the record and by proper analysis.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Findings and Recommendations issued on June 15, 2018, (ECF No. 29), are adopted in full;
2. This action is dismissed, with prejudice, due to Plaintiff's failure to state a claim; and
3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to close this case.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

ORDER VACATING SCREENING ORDER OF NOVEMBER 17, 2017 (ECF No. 16)

AMENDED SCREENING ORDER AND FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL OF ACTION, WITH PREJUDICE, FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM

FOURTEEN (14) DAY DEADLINE

Barbara A. McAuliffe, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

I. Background

Plaintiff Maurice Hunt ("Plaintiff") is a federal prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971).

On November 17, 2017, the Court issued a screening order granting Plaintiff leave to file a first amended complaint. (ECF No. 16.) The Court found that Plaintiff stated a cognizable claim for excessive force against Defendants Helling, Gunn, and Graham and a failure to intervene claim against Defendant Hellmuth arising out of allegations that Plaintiff was assaulted on August 6, 2015. Plaintiff also stated a cognizable claim for excessive force against Defendant Villegas arising out of events on November 26, 2015. Plaintiff failed to state any other cognizable claims. Plaintiff was informed that claims regarding the events of August 6, 2015 and claims regarding the events of November 26, 2015 were improperly joined in this action. (Id. )

On December 14, 2017, Plaintiff filed a motion for clarification of the Court's screening order, requesting that the Court consider the prejudice to Plaintiff by dismissing this action rather than severing the improperly joined claims, due to potential statute of limitation issues. (ECF No. 17.) On December 18, 2017, the Court issued an order granting the motion. (ECF No. 18.) The order explained that Plaintiff must file a first amended complaint to pursue claims in this action, and at that time the Court would conduct the appropriate prejudice analysis and address the disposition of any improperly joined claims.1 The Court extended the deadline for Plaintiff to file a first amended complaint until thirty days following service of that order. (Id. )

On January 8, 2018, Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal. (ECF No. 19.) As no final order had been entered in this action, the Court treated Plaintiff's appeal as an interlocutory appeal. Thus, when Plaintiff failed to file a first amended complaint within the allotted time, the Court issued findings and recommendations recommending dismissal *1164of this action, without prejudice, due to Plaintiff's failure to obey a court order and failure to prosecute. (ECF No. 22.) Plaintiff timely filed objections on February 9, 2018, arguing that he believed, in good faith, that the filing of his notice of appeal divested the Court of jurisdiction over this action, and therefore he was not required to file an amended complaint. (ECF No. 23.)

On February 27, 2018, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an order dismissing Plaintiff's appeal for lack of jurisdiction because the orders challenged in the appeal were not final or appealable. (ECF No. 24.)

In light of Plaintiff's pro se status and the filing of his notice of appeal, the Court found it appropriate to vacate its findings and recommendations and granted Plaintiff a final opportunity to file a first amended complaint. (ECF No. 25.)

On May 14, 2018, Plaintiff filed a motion again requesting that the Court sever any claims it considers improperly joined in the original complaint, in consideration of the prejudicial impact of requiring Plaintiff to file a first amended complaint. (ECF No. 27.) Plaintiff further requests that the Court issue an order directing prison officials at the institution where he was recently transferred to provide Plaintiff with his legal property, specifically a copy of his original complaint. The Court construes this request as a motion for preliminary injunctive relief. Finally, Plaintiff requests a thirty-day continuance due to his lack of legal property. (Id. )

Upon further consideration and review of Plaintiff's motion, it is apparent that Plaintiff does not wish to file a first amended complaint to correct the deficiencies identified in the Court's prior screening order, including the improper joinder of claims. Therefore, the Court VACATES the November 17, 2017 screening order, (ECF No. 16), and issues the following Amended Screening Order and Findings and Recommendations.

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Bluebook (online)
336 F. Supp. 3d 1159, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hunt-v-matevousian-caed-2018.