3 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
4 DISTRICT OF NEVADA
5 * * *
6 JASON MARCUS JONES, Case No. 3:19-cv-00650-MMD-WGC
7 Plaintiff, ORDER v. 8
9 CHIEF OF POLICE, et al.,
10 Defendants.
11 12 I. SUMMARY 13 Pro se Plaintiff Jason Marcus Jones, who is a pretrial detainee at the Washoe 14 County Detention Facility (“WCDF”), brings this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (ECF No. 15 27.) Before the Court is a Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) of United States 16 Magistrate William G. Cobb (ECF No. 28), recommending the Court allow certain of 17 Plaintiff’s claims in his First Amended Complaint (ECF No. 27 (“FAC”)) to proceed, and 18 dismiss certain other claims. Also before the Court is Plaintiff’s motion for a temporary 19 restraining order (“TRO Motion”).1 (ECF No. 29.) Plaintiff filed an objection to the R&R. 20 (ECF No. 32 (“Objection”).) Because the Court mostly agrees with Judge Cobb’s screening 21 analysis of Plaintiff’s FAC, but also agrees with Plaintiff’s argument in his Objection that 22 he included colorable allegations against Deputy Lewis—and as further explained below— 23 the Court will accept in part, and reject in part, the R&R. The Court will also deny Plaintiff’s 24 TRO Motion because Plaintiff has not demonstrated entitlement to the extraordinary 25 remedy of a temporary restraining order. 26
27 1As of the date of entry of this order, Plaintiff has two other pending motions: for appointment of counsel; and for copies of his medical and other records. (ECF Nos. 30, 28 31.) Judge Cobb will address those motions in a subsequent order or orders. The Court does not address them in this order. 2 The Court incorporates by reference Judge Cobb’s recitation of Plaintiff’s 3 allegations in the FAC provided in the R&R, which the Court adopts. (ECF No. 28 at 3-6.) 4 III. LEGAL STANDARD 5 This Court “may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or 6 recommendations made by the magistrate judge.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Where a party 7 timely objects to a magistrate judge’s report and recommendation, then the Court is 8 required to “make a de novo determination of those portions of the [report and 9 recommendation] to which objection is made.” Id. The Court’s review is thus de novo 10 because Plaintiff filed his Objection. (ECF No. 32.) 11 IV. DISCUSSION 12 The Court first addresses Plaintiff’s argument in his Objection regarding Deputy 13 Lewis, then the remainder of his arguments in his Objection, and then his TRO Motion. 14 With the exception of the Deputy Lewis issue discussed immediately below, the Court 15 finds Judge Cobb’s R&R thorough and well-reasoned. The Court will therefore adopt 16 Judge Cobb’s R&R nearly in full, except it will also let Plaintiff proceed with a First 17 Amendment retaliation claim against Deputy Lewis. 18 A. Deputy Lewis 19 Judge Cobb recommends dismissing Deputy C. Lewis from this case because 20 there are no allegations about him in the FAC. (ECF No. 28 at 20.) Plaintiff objects to this 21 recommendation because he did include allegations about Deputy Lewis in his FAC—on 22 page three of 37 at numeral seven. (ECF No. 32 at 1-2.) Sure enough, on the page of the 23 FAC referenced in his Objection, Plaintiff wrote in pertinent part that Deputy Lewis: 24 Disicreated [sic] my family Torah by un-wrapping it and tossing it around by cell and then locking me down for 24 hrs, because I complained about it. 25 26 (ECF No. 27 at 3.) 27 Liberally construed, the Court finds Plaintiff’s referenced allegations—viewed in the 28 context of the FAC—state a colorable retaliation claim. “A viable § 1983 claim of retaliation 2 the following elements: (1) An assertion that a state actor took some adverse action 3 against an inmate (2) because of (3) that prisoner’s protected conduct, and that such 4 action (4) chilled the inmate’s exercise of his First Amendment rights, and (5) the action 5 did not reasonably advance a legitimate correctional goal.” Jones v. Williams, 791 F.3d 6 1023, 1035 (9th Cir. 2015) (citing Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567-68 (9th Cir. 7 2005)). Plaintiff appears to be alleging that Deputy Lewis retaliated against him for 8 complaining about Deputy Lewis’ treatment of Plaintiff’s Torah. (ECF No. 27 at 3.) The 9 Court more specifically construes Plaintiff’s attempted complaint to Deputy Lewis as his 10 protected action, and the lockdown imposed by Deputy Lewis as the adverse action. See 11 Jones, 791 F.3d at 1035. A 24-hour lockdown could chill or silence a person from engaging 12 in protected activities in the future. See id. Locking down Plaintiff for complaining about 13 Deputy Lewis’ treatment of his Torah also does not appear to advance a legitimate 14 correctional goal. See id. Thus, the Court will allow Plaintiff to proceed on his First 15 Amendment retaliation claim against Deputy Lewis, along with the other claims Judge 16 Cobb recommends the Court allow to proceed. 17 B. Other Arguments in Objection 18 But the Court finds Plaintiff’s remaining arguments raised in his Objection 19 unpersuasive. The Court briefly addresses them here. 20 Plaintiff first argues the Court should not dismiss L. Sheriff Darin Balaam from this 21 case, as Judge Cobb recommends, because he “has allowed his subordonated [sic] to act 22 under his guidance and lack of training to violate my constitutional rights…” (ECF No. 32 23 at 1.) The Court overrules this objection because there is no vicarious liability in cases 24 brought under § 1983. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676 (2009) (“Because vicarious 25 liability is inapplicable to Bivens and § 1983 suits, a plaintiff must plead that each 26 Government-official defendant, through the official’s own individual actions, has violated 27 the Constitution.”). Plaintiff has not alleged or argued anything more than L. Sheriff Darin 28 Balaam’s vicarious liability in either his FAC or his Objection. (ECF Nos. 27, 32.) The Court 2 from this case. 3 Plaintiff next includes some allegations in his Objection that are already addressed 4 in the R&R. (ECF No. 32 at 2:10-3:6.) But in pertinent part, Judge Cobb recommends the 5 bulk of Plaintiff’s claims based on these allegations proceed. (ECF No. 28 at 13-15.) As 6 the Court will adopt Judge Cobb’s recommendation, and Plaintiff will therefore be able to 7 proceed on these allegations, the Court overrules Plaintiff’s objection (ECF No. 32 at 2:10- 8 3:6) regarding his medical treatment at WCDF. 9 Plaintiff next includes in his Objection some allegations about medical providers not 10 mentioned in his FAC. (Compare ECF No. 27 with ECF No. 32 at 3:7-20.) Specifically, 11 Plaintiff states that Nurses Linette and Jessica would not give him long-acting insulin called 12 ‘Landis,’ and that Nurse Carly makes unprofessional remarks. (ECF No. 32 at 3:7-20.) But 13 because Plaintiff did not include these allegations in his FAC, the Court may not consider 14 them. See Pickern v. Pier 1 Imports (U.S.), Inc., 457 F.3d 963, 968-69 (9th Cir. 2006) 15 (finding that the plaintiff did not provide adequate notice of additional allegations raised in 16 response to a motion for summary judgment, but never alleged in the complaint, and 17 noting that the plaintiff should have filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint 18 if she wanted to proceed on those allegations). Plaintiff’s Objection is thus also overruled 19 to the extent it is based on the actions of nurses Linette, Jessica, and Carly.
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3 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
4 DISTRICT OF NEVADA
5 * * *
6 JASON MARCUS JONES, Case No. 3:19-cv-00650-MMD-WGC
7 Plaintiff, ORDER v. 8
9 CHIEF OF POLICE, et al.,
10 Defendants.
11 12 I. SUMMARY 13 Pro se Plaintiff Jason Marcus Jones, who is a pretrial detainee at the Washoe 14 County Detention Facility (“WCDF”), brings this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (ECF No. 15 27.) Before the Court is a Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) of United States 16 Magistrate William G. Cobb (ECF No. 28), recommending the Court allow certain of 17 Plaintiff’s claims in his First Amended Complaint (ECF No. 27 (“FAC”)) to proceed, and 18 dismiss certain other claims. Also before the Court is Plaintiff’s motion for a temporary 19 restraining order (“TRO Motion”).1 (ECF No. 29.) Plaintiff filed an objection to the R&R. 20 (ECF No. 32 (“Objection”).) Because the Court mostly agrees with Judge Cobb’s screening 21 analysis of Plaintiff’s FAC, but also agrees with Plaintiff’s argument in his Objection that 22 he included colorable allegations against Deputy Lewis—and as further explained below— 23 the Court will accept in part, and reject in part, the R&R. The Court will also deny Plaintiff’s 24 TRO Motion because Plaintiff has not demonstrated entitlement to the extraordinary 25 remedy of a temporary restraining order. 26
27 1As of the date of entry of this order, Plaintiff has two other pending motions: for appointment of counsel; and for copies of his medical and other records. (ECF Nos. 30, 28 31.) Judge Cobb will address those motions in a subsequent order or orders. The Court does not address them in this order. 2 The Court incorporates by reference Judge Cobb’s recitation of Plaintiff’s 3 allegations in the FAC provided in the R&R, which the Court adopts. (ECF No. 28 at 3-6.) 4 III. LEGAL STANDARD 5 This Court “may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or 6 recommendations made by the magistrate judge.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Where a party 7 timely objects to a magistrate judge’s report and recommendation, then the Court is 8 required to “make a de novo determination of those portions of the [report and 9 recommendation] to which objection is made.” Id. The Court’s review is thus de novo 10 because Plaintiff filed his Objection. (ECF No. 32.) 11 IV. DISCUSSION 12 The Court first addresses Plaintiff’s argument in his Objection regarding Deputy 13 Lewis, then the remainder of his arguments in his Objection, and then his TRO Motion. 14 With the exception of the Deputy Lewis issue discussed immediately below, the Court 15 finds Judge Cobb’s R&R thorough and well-reasoned. The Court will therefore adopt 16 Judge Cobb’s R&R nearly in full, except it will also let Plaintiff proceed with a First 17 Amendment retaliation claim against Deputy Lewis. 18 A. Deputy Lewis 19 Judge Cobb recommends dismissing Deputy C. Lewis from this case because 20 there are no allegations about him in the FAC. (ECF No. 28 at 20.) Plaintiff objects to this 21 recommendation because he did include allegations about Deputy Lewis in his FAC—on 22 page three of 37 at numeral seven. (ECF No. 32 at 1-2.) Sure enough, on the page of the 23 FAC referenced in his Objection, Plaintiff wrote in pertinent part that Deputy Lewis: 24 Disicreated [sic] my family Torah by un-wrapping it and tossing it around by cell and then locking me down for 24 hrs, because I complained about it. 25 26 (ECF No. 27 at 3.) 27 Liberally construed, the Court finds Plaintiff’s referenced allegations—viewed in the 28 context of the FAC—state a colorable retaliation claim. “A viable § 1983 claim of retaliation 2 the following elements: (1) An assertion that a state actor took some adverse action 3 against an inmate (2) because of (3) that prisoner’s protected conduct, and that such 4 action (4) chilled the inmate’s exercise of his First Amendment rights, and (5) the action 5 did not reasonably advance a legitimate correctional goal.” Jones v. Williams, 791 F.3d 6 1023, 1035 (9th Cir. 2015) (citing Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567-68 (9th Cir. 7 2005)). Plaintiff appears to be alleging that Deputy Lewis retaliated against him for 8 complaining about Deputy Lewis’ treatment of Plaintiff’s Torah. (ECF No. 27 at 3.) The 9 Court more specifically construes Plaintiff’s attempted complaint to Deputy Lewis as his 10 protected action, and the lockdown imposed by Deputy Lewis as the adverse action. See 11 Jones, 791 F.3d at 1035. A 24-hour lockdown could chill or silence a person from engaging 12 in protected activities in the future. See id. Locking down Plaintiff for complaining about 13 Deputy Lewis’ treatment of his Torah also does not appear to advance a legitimate 14 correctional goal. See id. Thus, the Court will allow Plaintiff to proceed on his First 15 Amendment retaliation claim against Deputy Lewis, along with the other claims Judge 16 Cobb recommends the Court allow to proceed. 17 B. Other Arguments in Objection 18 But the Court finds Plaintiff’s remaining arguments raised in his Objection 19 unpersuasive. The Court briefly addresses them here. 20 Plaintiff first argues the Court should not dismiss L. Sheriff Darin Balaam from this 21 case, as Judge Cobb recommends, because he “has allowed his subordonated [sic] to act 22 under his guidance and lack of training to violate my constitutional rights…” (ECF No. 32 23 at 1.) The Court overrules this objection because there is no vicarious liability in cases 24 brought under § 1983. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676 (2009) (“Because vicarious 25 liability is inapplicable to Bivens and § 1983 suits, a plaintiff must plead that each 26 Government-official defendant, through the official’s own individual actions, has violated 27 the Constitution.”). Plaintiff has not alleged or argued anything more than L. Sheriff Darin 28 Balaam’s vicarious liability in either his FAC or his Objection. (ECF Nos. 27, 32.) The Court 2 from this case. 3 Plaintiff next includes some allegations in his Objection that are already addressed 4 in the R&R. (ECF No. 32 at 2:10-3:6.) But in pertinent part, Judge Cobb recommends the 5 bulk of Plaintiff’s claims based on these allegations proceed. (ECF No. 28 at 13-15.) As 6 the Court will adopt Judge Cobb’s recommendation, and Plaintiff will therefore be able to 7 proceed on these allegations, the Court overrules Plaintiff’s objection (ECF No. 32 at 2:10- 8 3:6) regarding his medical treatment at WCDF. 9 Plaintiff next includes in his Objection some allegations about medical providers not 10 mentioned in his FAC. (Compare ECF No. 27 with ECF No. 32 at 3:7-20.) Specifically, 11 Plaintiff states that Nurses Linette and Jessica would not give him long-acting insulin called 12 ‘Landis,’ and that Nurse Carly makes unprofessional remarks. (ECF No. 32 at 3:7-20.) But 13 because Plaintiff did not include these allegations in his FAC, the Court may not consider 14 them. See Pickern v. Pier 1 Imports (U.S.), Inc., 457 F.3d 963, 968-69 (9th Cir. 2006) 15 (finding that the plaintiff did not provide adequate notice of additional allegations raised in 16 response to a motion for summary judgment, but never alleged in the complaint, and 17 noting that the plaintiff should have filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint 18 if she wanted to proceed on those allegations). Plaintiff’s Objection is thus also overruled 19 to the extent it is based on the actions of nurses Linette, Jessica, and Carly. 20 Finally, Plaintiff requests appointment of counsel and copies of his medical records 21 towards the end of his Objection. (ECF No. 32 at 3:23-4:9.) However, as mentioned supra, 22 Judge Cobb will address these requests in Plaintiff’s substantially identical, pending 23 motions for appointment of counsel and copies of his medical records (ECF Nos. 30, 31) 24 in a subsequent order. In sum, the only argument in Plaintiff’s Objection the Court finds 25 persuasive is that his FAC does include allegations about Deputy Lewis. 26 C. TRO Motion 27 In his TRO Motion, Plaintiff states he was assaulted “4 different times 3 times in 28 one day on 4/18/20 by numerous deputys [sic] that are pending in case # 3:20-cv-00323- 2 in this law-suit for desacreationg [sic] by Torah & threating [sic] me.” (ECF No. 29 at 1.) 3 While he concludes the TRO Motion by asking the Court to “grant this order[,]” he does 4 not specify what relief he seeks. (Id.) 5 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 governs preliminary injunctions and TROs, and 6 requires that a motion for a TRO include “specific facts in an affidavit or a verified complaint 7 [that] clearly show that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the 8 movant before the adverse party can be heard in opposition,” as well as written certification 9 from the movant’s attorney (here, pro se Plaintiff) stating, “any efforts made to give notice 10 and the reasons why it should not be required.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b). TROs are governed 11 by the same standard applicable to preliminary injunctions. See Cal. Indep. Sys. Operator 12 Corp. v. Reliant Energy Servs., Inc., 181 F. Supp. 2d 1111, 1126 (E.D. Cal. 2001) (citation 13 omitted). “A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy never awarded as of right.” 14 Winter v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 24 (2008) (citation omitted). But the 15 Court may issue a preliminary injunction or TRO if Plaintiff establishes: (1) likelihood of 16 success on the merits; (2) likelihood of irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary 17 relief; (3) that the balance of equities tips in his favor; and (4) that an injunction is in the 18 public interest. See id. at 20. 19 Plaintiff has not satisfied the requirements for a TRO. First, he did not include an 20 affidavit or verified complaint with or as part of his TRO Motion, and did not state the harm 21 he will suffer in the absence of an injunction. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b) (stating these 22 requirements to obtain a TRO). Second, because Plaintiff fails to identify the behavior that 23 he seeks to enjoin, it is not clear what irreparable harm, if any, would occur absent 24 preliminary injunctive relief. See Winter, 555 U.S. at 20 (stating this is one of four 25 requirements to obtain a preliminary injunction or TRO). Third, Plaintiff has not offered any 26 argument or evidence tending to show he is likely to prevail on the merits of his claims, or 27 why the balance of equities or the public interest favors granting his motion—indeed, in 28 the TRO Motion, he does not even specify what his claims are. See id. (specifying these 2 parties to another case (3:20-cv-00323-JAD-WGC), he must seek injunctive relief in that 3 case, not in this one. Fifth, and as stated supra, the Court will allow his retaliation claim 4 against Deputy Lewis to proceed. In the absence of any explanation of what he would like 5 to enjoin Deputy Lewis from doing, the fact Plaintiff’s claim may proceed against him is 6 sufficient to remedy whatever harm Deputy Lewis allegedly inflicted upon Plaintiff. In sum, 7 the Court will deny the TRO Motion because Plaintiff has not satisfied the requirements 8 for a TRO. 9 V. CONCLUSION 10 The Court notes that the parties made several arguments and cited to several cases 11 not discussed above. The Court has reviewed these arguments and cases and determines 12 that they do not warrant discussion as they do not affect the outcome of the issues before 13 the Court. 14 It is therefore ordered that Plaintiff’s objection (ECF No. 32) to the Report and 15 Recommendation of U.S. Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb is sustained in part, and 16 overruled in part. The Report and Recommendation of U.S. Magistrate Judge William G. 17 Cobb (ECF No. 28) is accepted in part, and rejected in part, as provided herein. 18 It is further ordered that Plaintiff’s motion for temporary restraining order (ECF No. 19 29) is denied. 20 It is further ordered that Plaintiff may proceed on the following claims against the 21 following parties, explained in more detail in the R&R and this order. 22 1. The Fourth Amendment excessive force and denial of medical attention claims 23 against Kinkaid and two John Doe RCSU members. Plaintiff may also proceed 24 against the two John Doe RCSU officers once he has identified them, and within 25 the parameters of any applicable scheduling order deadlines for amendment or 26 addition of parties. 27 2. The retaliation claim against Sergeant Andrew Barrett-Venn. 28 3. The First Amendment retaliation claim against Deputy Lewis based on Plaintiff’s 2 Deputy Lewis when Deputy Lewis unwrapped Plaintiff’s Torah and threw it on the 3 ground. 4 4. The denial/delay of adequate medical care claim against Dr. Ivarte based on 5 Plaintiff’s allegations that his imaging needs were unnecessarily delayed and he 6 has been denied/delayed care and appointments with specialists, as well as the 7 denial/delay of medical care claim against Dr. Ivarte and Sergeant Barrett-Venn to 8 the extent Plaintiff alleges they denied him necessary access to an ADA cell 9 because he utilizes a walker. 10 5. The First Amendment Free Exercise Clause claim against Chaplain J. Wynn based 11 on allegations that Plaintiff was denied Kosher meals as well as Jewish services. 12 It is further ordered that the following claims and defendants are dismissed from 13 this case. 14 1. The Fifth Amendment Miranda and Fourteenth Amendment coercive interrogation 15 claims with prejudice. 16 2. The Fourteenth Amendment due process claims that Officer Stockwell and another 17 officer stole his property with prejudice. 18 3. The Fourteenth Amendment due process claim that an unidentified person at the 19 jail threw away his book with prejudice. 20 4. The Double Jeopardy claim with prejudice. 21 5. The fabrication of evidence claim against Rasmussen, Kinkaid, Reza, Hanna, 22 Franzwa, and an unidentified individual without prejudice. 23 6. The Eighth Amendment Excessive Bail Clause claim with prejudice. 24 7. NP Frank, Nurse Wendy, and unidentified Naphcare employees from Plaintiff's 25 denial/delay of medical care claims without prejudice as there are no allegations 26 connecting these defendants to any alleged unconstitutional conduct. Plaintiff may 27 move to amend when he learns the identities and roles of these defendants, within 28 the parameters of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15, and any applicable 2 8. The Fourteenth Amendment equal protection claim with prejudice. 3 9. The First Amendment Establishment Clause claim with prejudice. 4 10. The Fourth Amendment unlawful seizure of Plaintiff’s phone claim with prejudice. 5 11. Chief Sato is also dismissed with prejudice as there are no allegations in the FAC 6 that give rise to a constitutional claim against him, and Plaintiff has already been 7 given leave to amend. 8 12. L. Sheriff Darin Balaam is also dismissed with prejudice because Plaintiff’s FAC 9 lacks allegations he personally participated in any of Plaintiff’s alleged constitutional 10 violations, and Plaintiff has already been given leave to amend. 11 13. Millard, Reed, Doyle and Gurd are also dismissed with prejudice as there are no 12 allegations concerning these defendants in the FAC, and Plaintiff has already been 13 given leave to amend. 14 The Clerk of Court is directed to issue summonses for each of the defendants 15 against whom the Court has specified Plaintiff may proceed, and send the same to the 16 U.S. Marshal. 17 The Clerk of Court is further directed to send sufficient copies of the FAC (ECF No. 18 27) and this order to the U.S. Marshal for service on the defendants against whom the 19 Court has specified Plaintiff may proceed. 20 The Clerk of Court is further directed to send Plaintiff sufficient USM-285 forms. 21 It is further ordered that Plaintiff has 14 days to complete the USM-285 service 22 forms and return them to the U.S. Marshal for service, 400 S. Virginia Street, 2nd Floor, 23 Reno, Nevada 89501. 24 It is further ordered that, if Plaintiff fails to follow the instructions regarding service 25 included above, the Court will dismiss un-served Defendants for failure to complete service 26 of process under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). 27 It is further ordered that, within 20 days of receiving from the U.S. Marshal a copy 28 of the USM-285 form showing whether service has been accomplished, if any of the 2 file a motion with the Court providing a more detailed name and/or address for service, or 3 indicating that some other method of service should be attempted. The Court also reminds 4 Plaintiff that, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m), service must be completed within 5 90 days of the date of entry of this order. 6 It is further ordered that, if Plaintiff should require additional time to meet deadlines 7 set by this Court, he must file a motion for an extension of time in accordance with Local 8 Rule 26-3. If he requires an extension of time to effectuate service, the motion must be 9 supported by good cause, and must be filed before the expiration of the 90-day period. 10 It is further ordered that Plaintiff must serve a copy of every pleading, motion or 11 other document submitted for consideration by the Court upon Defendants or, if an 12 appearance has been entered by counsel, upon the applicable attorney. 13 It is further ordered that Plaintiff must include with the original of each document he 14 files with the Court a certificate stating that a true and correct copy of the document was 15 mailed to the defendant or counsel. 16 It is further ordered that the Court may disregard any paper it receives from Plaintiff 17 that has not been filed with the Clerk of Court, or that fails to include a certificate of service. 18 DATED THIS 29th Day of September 2020.
21 MIRANDA M. DU CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 22 23 24 25 26 27 28