3 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
4 DISTRICT OF NEVADA
5 * * *
6 KEENEN R. AGREE, Case No. 3:24-cv-00306-MMD-CSD
7 Plaintiff, ORDER v. 8 RENO POLICE DEPARTMENT, et al., 9 Defendants. 10 11 I. SUMMARY 12 Pro se Plaintiff Keenen R. Agee brings this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, 13 alleging that the City of Reno, Reno Police Department (“RPD”) officers, the Washoe 14 County District Attorney (“DA”) and Deputy DA (“Prosecutor Defendants”), and Washoe 15 County Child Protective Services (“CPS”) representatives (“CPS Defendants”) violated 16 his civil rights when he was arrested on three occasions in 2023 and prosecuted for 17 domestic battery, among other offenses, in Nevada state court. (ECF No. 96 (“Third 18 Amended Complaint” or “TAC”).) All state criminal charges filed against Plaintiff were 19 ultimately dismissed before reaching trial. 20 Before the Court are Defendants’1 three motions to dismiss (ECF Nos. 101, 102, 21 156)2 and various motions and objections3 by Plaintiff (ECF Nos. 139, 140, 141, 163, 22
23 1RPD Officers Rose, Jones, and Staples answered Plaintiff’s Amended 24 Complaint (ECF No. 15) and do not move for dismissal with these remaining Defendants. 25 2Plaintiff responded. (ECF Nos. 107, 106, 159.) Defendants replied. (ECF Nos. 26 117, 116, 162.)
27 3Plaintiff also moves for summary judgment (ECF No. 160) but the Court granted Defendants’ motion to extend time until after the Court’s ruling on the pending motions 28 to dismiss. (ECF No. 167.) Because this order affects the claims asserted in the TAC upon which Plaintiffs seek summary judgment, the Court denies Plaintiff’s motion for 2 to dismiss (ECF Nos. 101, 102, 156), grants Plaintiff limited leave to amend claims 3 against certain Defendants, and denies Plaintiffs’ motions and objections (ECF Nos. 4 139, 140, 141, 163, 169, 171, 173). 5 II. BACKGROUND 6 The Court incorporates the facts recited in the order addressing Defendants’ prior 7 motions to dismiss. (ECF No. 94 at 2-5.) As relevant to the pending motions addressed 8 in this order, Plaintiff was arrested by RPD on three separate occasions in 2023. (ECF 9 No. 96 at 2.) Plaintiff was arrested on February 2 (“February Arrest”) by RPD Officer 10 Derek Jones, on May 29 (“May Arrest”) by RPD Officers Christopher Rose and Dylan 11 Staples, and on October 12 (October Arrest) by RPD Officers Burda, Brunson and 12 Thornton.5 (ECF No. 96 at 2-3.) All criminal charges resulting from the arrests were 13 ultimately dropped. (Id. at 2.) 14 Plaintiff filed this lawsuit in July of 2024. (ECF No. 1.) Defendants moved to 15 dismiss.6 (ECF Nos. 14, 16.) The Court granted Defendants’ motions to dismiss but also 16 granted Plaintiff leave to amend his complaint with regard to certain Defendants, 17 including adding claims against the officers involved in the October Arrest. (ECF No. 94 18 at 20-22.) 19 20 summary judgment (ECF No. 160) without prejudice to Plaintiff filing another motion for 21 summary judgment.
22 4Defendants filed responses (ECF Nos. 144, 146. 174.) Defendants did not respond to Plaintiff’s motion to file a sur-reply (ECF No. 163) or Plaintiff’s objections 23 (ECF Nos. 171, 173) to Magistrate Judge Denney’s September 4, 2025 order (ECF No. 170). Plaintiff filed a notice of Defendants’ non-opposition. (ECF No. 179). Plaintiff 24 replied to all of Defendants’ responses. (ECF No. 145, 147, 175.)
25 5Plaintiff does not state in the TAC that that Defendants Burda, Brunson, and Thornton arrested him on October 12, 2023. But the pleadings regarding Plaintiff’s 26 motion to add claims against these officers confirm this fact, as conceded by Defendants. (ECF Nos. 53, 61, 63.) 27 6Defendants Jones, Rose, and Staples did not move to dismiss and instead filed 28 an answer. (ECF No. 15.) 2 Rose, and Staples answered the TAC. (ECF No. 103.) The remaining Defendants now 3 move to dismiss the claims against them under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 12(b)(6). (ECF Nos. 101, 102, 156.) 5 Between April and September of 2025, Magistrate Judge Craig S. Denney held 6 two hearings and addressed various discovery-related disputes between the parties. 7 (ECF Nos. 127, 137, 170.) Plaintiff objects to the Magistrate Judge’s rulings and seeks 8 his reassignment. (ECF Nos. 139, 140, 141, 171, 173.) 9 III. DEFENDANTS’ MOTIONS TO DISMISS 10 Plaintiff names thirteen Defendants in the TAC. (ECF No. 96.) Ten Defendants 11 bring three separate motions to dismiss Plaintiff’s claims against them. (ECF No. 102, 12 101, 156).7 The Court addresses each motion and each Defendant in turn.8 13 A. Reno Municipality and Police Leadership (ECF No. 102) 14 Defendants Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance and City of Reno, both 15 represented by the Reno City Attorney, move to dismiss Plaintiff’s claims against them. 16 (ECF No. 102 at 2.) The Court addresses the arguments for dismissal as to each 17 Defendant. 18 1. Police Chief Nance 19 RPD Chief Kathryn Nance moves to dismiss Plaintiff’s claims against her, 20 arguing Plaintiff fails to allege any personal conduct by her that deprived him of a 21 protected right. (ECF No. 102 at 5.) The Court agrees. Considering Plaintiff fails to 22 address this previously-identified deficiency in the TAC and his responses still do not
23 7As noted, Defendants Jones, Rose, and Staples answered the TAC. (ECF No. 24 103.)
25 8While Defendants proactively argue Plaintiff does not sufficiently allege any emotional distress tort (ECF No. 101 at 15) and Plaintiff responds that his “emotional 26 distress claim is legal valid” (ECF No. 107 at 4), the Court determines that Plaintiff only alleges constitutional violations under section 1983 against Defendants. (ECF No. 96 at 27 2). Plaintiff does not raise any claim for intentional inflection of emotional distress or negligent infliction of emotional distress, separate torts with distinct elements. Plaintiff 28 merely alleges emotional distress as damages. (ECF No. 96 at 2.) 2 lawsuit. 3 As the Court previously advised Plaintiff, a supervisor such as Police Chief 4 Nance may only be liable for the unconstitutional conduct of her employees where she 5 personally “participated in or directed the violations, or knew of the violations and failed 6 to act to prevent them.” (ECF No. 94 at 8 (quoting Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 7 (9th Cir. 1989).) Plaintiff names RPD Chief Kathryn Nance among the Defendants but 8 does not mention her again or identify any action or inaction attributable to her. (ECF 9 No. 96 at 1.) Plaintiff outlines each claimed violation and identifies the relevant 10 Defendants in the TAC, but Nance is not included within any of the factual allegations. 11 (Id. at 2-4.) 12 In response to Chief Nance’s motion to dismiss,9 Plaintiff claims he “alleges that 13 Chief Nance failed to supervise and train officers adequately, leading to repeated 14 violations of Plaintiff’s rights.” (ECF No. 106 at 2.) But Plaintiff fails to identify any facts 15 in support of this conclusory allegation either in the TAC or his response. Moreover, as 16 the Court previously identified, allegations of “improper training” are “more properly 17 directed against the municipality” rather than Nance in her personal capacity. (ECF No. 18 94 at 9.) Plaintiff attaches various documents to his response, including Defendant City 19 of Reno’s responses to Plaintiff’s second set of interrogatories. (ECF No. 106 at 20.) 20 Plaintiff writes on the cover page that “Answers are to obstruct not to be transparent. 21 Which shows Kathryn Nance involvement.” (Id.) Even if Plaintiff identified specific 22 examples of obfuscation by the City in its discovery responses, which he does not, this 23 24 9Defendants argue that the Court “may not look beyond the complaint to a plaintiff's moving papers, such as a memorandum in opposition to a defendant's motion 25 to dismiss,” in its ruling. (ECF No. 116 at 2-3 (quoting Ranch Realty, Inc. v. DC Ranch Realty, LLC, 614 F. Supp. 2d 983, 987 (D. Ariz. 2007) (citing Schneider v. California 26 Dept. of Corrections, 151 F.3d 1194, 1197 n. 1 (9th Cir.1998))).) But the Court may consider these materials in determining whether to grant leave to amend the complaint. 27 See Orion Tire Corp. v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Inc., 268 F.3d 1133, 1137 (9th Cir. 2001). Therefore the Court reviews Plaintiff’s responses to all of the proffered 28 motions in order to determine whether to grant Plaintiff leave to amend. 2 directed the violations, or knew of the violations and failed to act to prevent them.” 3 Taylor, 880 F.2d at 1045. Moreover, the Court already previously instructed Plaintiff that 4 he “may not merely resort to the same facts about general RPD policy and custom that 5 he also uses to sue the City itself” in his claim against Nance. (ECF No. 94 at 9.) 6 The Court already identified this same defect in Plaintiff’s prior complaint, and 7 “cautioned” Plaintiff that “should he seek to support a claim against Nance in an 8 amended complaint, he must allege facts going to her participation, direction, or 9 knowledge and lack of intervention in a constitutional deprivation at the hands of RPD 10 Officer Defendants under her supervision.” (Id.) Despite this instruction, Plaintiff still fails 11 to allege any facts regarding Nance’s personal role in the alleged unconstitutional 12 conduct. Therefore, the Court now dismisses Nance from the suit. 13 2. City of Reno 14 The City of Reno (“City”) moves to dismiss, arguing Plaintiff fails to allege that a 15 policy or custom of the City caused his alleged deprivation. (ECF No. 102 at 10.) 16 Liberally construing Plaintiff’s TAC and responses,10 Plaintiff seeks to hold the City 17 liable for failure to train employees, a custom of targeting Plaintiff, a custom of muting 18 bodycam footage, and a policy of unconstitutional discretion regarding medical 19 transportation. The Court finds the TAC does not include sufficient factual allegations for 20 any of these theories. 21 Municipal entities like the City may only be liable under Section 1983 when “a 22 government’s policy or custom. . . inflicts the injury.” Monell v. Dep't of Soc. Servs. of 23 City of New York, 436 U.S. 658, 691 (1978). The plaintiff must plausibly allege “a direct 24 causal link between a [] policy or custom and the alleged constitutional deprivation.” Bell 25 v. Williams, 108 F.4th 809, 824 (9th Cir. 2024) (quoting City of Canton v. Harris, 489 26 U.S. 378, 385 (1989)). Generally, there are four different ways a plaintiff may identify a
27 10Pleadings from pro se litigants like Plaintiff must be liberally construed. See 28 Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990). 2 See id. at 661, 691 (finding New York agencies may be liable under Section 1983 for an 3 official policy requiring pregnant employees to take unpaid leaves of absences). 4 Second, a plaintiff may demonstrate the entity had “a widespread practice that, although 5 not authorized by written law or express municipal policy, is ‘so permanent and well 6 settled as to constitute a ‘custom or usage’ with the force of law.’” City of St. Louis v. 7 Praprotnik, 485 U.S. 112, 127, (1988) (quoting Adickes v. S.H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 8 144, 167–168 (1970)). Third, the plaintiff can allege that the actions of a government 9 official “responsible for establishing final government policy” caused the constitutional 10 injury. Pembaur v. City of Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 483-4 (1986). Lastly, the plaintiff can 11 demonstrate the entity’s failure to adequately train or supervise municipal employees 12 caused the injury. See City of Canton, 489 U.S. at 388–91; Sandoval v. Las Vegas 13 Metro. Police Dep't, 756 F.3d 1154, 1167–68 (9th Cir. 2014). 14 Plaintiff expressly seeks municipal liability under Monell in the TAC, citing 15 “Failure to Train & Supervise” (ECF No. 96 at 4.) As discussed above, this is a viable 16 path to proving municipal liability. But a “formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause 17 of action” is not sufficient to overcome a motion to dismiss. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 18 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). To 19 successfully allege municipal liability for failure to train, the plaintiff “must include 20 sufficient facts to support a reasonable inference (1) of a constitutional violation; (2) of a 21 municipal training policy that amounts to deliberate indifference to constitutional rights; 22 and (3) that the constitutional injury would not have resulted if the municipality properly 23 trained their employees” Benavidez v. County of San Diego, 993 F.3d 1134, 1153–54 24 (9th Cir. 2021). To prove “deliberate indifference,” the plaintiff must show that “in light of 25 the duties assigned to specific … employees[,] the need for more or different training is 26 so obvious, and the inadequacy so likely to result in the violation of constitutional rights, 27 that the policymakers of the city can reasonably be said to have been deliberately 28 indifferent to the need.” City of Canton, 489 U.S. at 390. The plaintiff must show that the 2 at 1167–68 (citing City of Canton, 489 U.S. at 387-90). 3 The Court previously advised Plaintiff on this legal standard and instructed him to 4 allege specific facts to meet this failure to train theory of Monell liability. (ECF No. 94 at 5 10-12.) But Plaintiff still offers only a mere conclusory claim. Moreover, municipal 6 liability “is at its most tenuous where a claim turns on failure to train.” Connick v. 7 Thompson, 563 U.S. 51, 61 (2011) (citation omitted); see also Benavidez, 993 F.3d at 8 1153–54. Accordingly, the Court now dismisses Plaintiff’s failure to train Monell liability 9 claim. 10 In his response to the City’s motion to dismiss, Plaintiff reasserts his Monell claim 11 but instead of referencing RPD’s failure to train or supervise, Plaintiff refers to “repeated 12 targeting of Plaintiff and the manipulation of body camera footage” as “suggest[ing] a 13 pattern of misconduct attributable to municipal policy or custom.” (ECF No. 106 at 2.) In 14 the TAC, Plaintiff references being “falsely arrested multiple times,” identifying three 15 instances. (ECF No. 96 at 2.) “An unconstitutional policy need not be formal or written to 16 create municipal liability under Section 1983; however, it must be so permanent and 17 well settled as to constitute a custom or usage with the force of law.” Gordon v. County 18 of Orange, 6 F.4th 961, 974 (9th Cir. 2021) (citation and internal quotation marks 19 omitted)). Without more information, these three otherwise seemingly “isolated or 20 sporadic incidents” do not evidence “sufficient duration, frequency and consistency 21 [such] that the conduct has become a traditional method of carrying out policy.” Id. 22 (quoting Trevino v. Gates, 99 F.3d 911, 918 (9th Cir. 1996)). Similarly, Plaintiff alleges 23 in the TAC that “Defendants” violated his rights by “[m]uting body camera footage to 24 hide evidence of misconduct.” (ECF No. 96 at 2.) But the fact that “employees or 25 agents” of the government allegedly caused an injury is not sufficient to hold the 26 municipal entity responsible. See Monell, 436 at 691. 27 In the TAC, and in his response to the City’s motion to dismiss, Plaintiff attaches 28 various RPD General Orders as exhibits. (ECF Nos. 96-2 at 16-18, 20-21; 96-3 at 1, 8; 2 way,” they may qualify as official RPD policies under Monell. (ECF No. 106 at 4, 6, 9, 3 12, 15.) Plaintiff highlights various portions of the attached General Orders without any 4 elaboration. But Plaintiff fails to identify how these policies caused any alleged 5 constitutional violations. In fact, most of the policies, if properly followed, serve to 6 protect constitutional rights. For example, Plaintiff alleges he “requested medical care 7 but was denied and taken to jail instead.” (ECF No. 96 at 3.) He then highlights that the 8 Transport of Injured or Sick General Order requires that when RPD “encounters…sick 9 or injured persons requiring emergency medical care, the employee will ensure an 10 ambulance responds to evaluate the person(s) and transport the person(s) to a medical 11 facility for treatment if necessary.” (ECF No. 106 at 6.) But that requirement could not 12 have caused Plaintiff’s alleged constitutional injuries. If Plaintiff needed emergency 13 medical care, this policy actually would have protected Plaintiff and prevented his 14 alleged constitutional harm. 15 Plaintiff seems to only expressly identify one section of one General Order as a 16 relevant Monell policy for the purposes of his section 1983 claim. The same General 17 Order on Transport of Injured or Sick states: “At their discretion officers may transport 18 persons not requiring emergency medical care to a medical facility.” (Id. at 7.) Plaintiff 19 annotates: “This can be a violation of my constitutional rights[,] by [‘]at officer’s 20 discretion[‘], because officer’s discretion is not above the law of the land.” (Id.) “[I]t is 21 clearly established that officers must seek to provide an injured detainee or arrestee 22 with objectively reasonable medical care in the face of medical necessity creating a 23 substantial and obvious risk of serious harm, including by summoning medical 24 assistance.” D’Braunstein v. Cal. Highway Patrol, 131 F.4th 764, 771 (9th Cir. 2025). 25 But the “mere lack of due care by a state official is not enough to show a constitutional 26 violation.” Alexander v. Nguyen, 78 F.4th 1140, 1145 (9th Cir. 2023) (quoting Gordon, 27 888 F.3d at 1125). Plaintiff may pursue medical indifference claims against the 28 individual RPD officers based on the facts alleged against the individual officers. But the 2 medical care to a medical facility” does not facially violate this constitutional right. (ECF 3 No. 106 at 7 (emphasis added).) 4 In sum, the Court dismisses the claims against the City. 5 B. Washoe County Employees (ECF No. 101) 6 Plaintiff sues Washoe County employees at the DA’s office and CPS. These 7 Washoe County Defendants, represented by joint counsel, move to dismiss Plaintiff’s 8 claims against them. (ECF No. 101.) The Court address their arguments for dismissal 9 as to the employees for each agency.11 10 1. Prosecutor Defendants 11 Plaintiff sues Washoe County DA Hicks and Deputy DA Hollandsworth for 12 malicious prosecution and witness suppression. (ECF No. 96 at 3.) The Court 13 considers each claim in turn. 14 a. Malicious Prosecution 15 The Prosecutor Defendants argue Plaintiff’s malicious prosecution claim fails 16 because the TAC does not allege facts showing lack of probable cause or malicious 17 intent. (ECF No. 101 at 5.). Alternatively, the Prosecutor Defendants argue the claim is 18 barred by prosecutorial immunity. (Id.). The Court agrees that the TAC does not 19 sufficiently allege a malicious prosecution claim, nor one that could plausibly overcome 20 prosecutorial immunity. Liberally construing the pro se Plaintiff’s pleadings, the Court 21 will narrowly grant leave to amend only to the extend he can allege facts to meet the 22 legal requirements outlined below. 23 24 25 11While Defendants proactively argue any claims against Washoe County District Attorney’s Office and Washoe County fail as a matter of law (ECF Nos. 101 at 14; 107 26 at 6) and Plaintiff responds that Washoe County is liable under Monell (ECF No. 107 at 4), Plaintiff does not name Washoe County as a defendant. (ECF No. 96.) Nor did the 27 Court grant Plaintiff leave to add Washoe County as a defendant. (ECF No. 94 at 20.) The Court therefore clarifies that Washoe County is not a defendant to this suit. 28 2 charges against him were ‘instituted without any probable cause,’ that the motive behind 3 them ‘was malicious,’ and ‘the criminal prosecution ended without a conviction.’”12 4 Coleman v. Las Vegas Metro. Police Dep't, 730 F. Supp. 3d 1097, 1116 (D. Nev. 2024) 5 (quoting Thompson v. Clark, 596 U.S. 36, 44, 49 (2022)). A malicious motive is defined 6 as “without probable cause and for a purpose other than bringing the defendant to 7 justice.” Thompson, 596 at 44 (citations omitted). “[P]robable cause is an absolute 8 defense to malicious prosecution.” Lassiter v. City of San Bremerton, 556 F.3d 1049, 9 1054–55 (9th Cir. 2009). 10 Defendants argue Plaintiff “cannot state a claim for malicious prosecution” 11 because “Plaintiff’s exhibits show that the criminal court found probable cause existed.” 12 (ECF No. 101 at 5.) In the TAC, Plaintiff attaches records from Washoe County that the 13 court found probable cause at an initial hearing in the criminal cases resulting from the 14 February and May arrests. (ECF No. 96-2 at 1, 2.) But the Nevada Supreme Court held 15 that this “initial determination. . . does not constitute irrebuttable evidence of probable 16 cause…” Jordan v. State ex rel. Dep't of Motor Vehicles & Pub. Safety, 110 P.3d 30, 49 17 (2005), abrogated on other grounds by Buzz Stew, LLC v. City of N. Las Vegas, 124 18 Nev. 224, 181 P.3d 670 (2008). Therefore, “a preliminary hearing probable cause 19 determination is only prima facie evidence of probable cause, which can be overcome in 20 a later proceeding with evidence of ‘false testimony or suppressed facts.’” Scafidi v. Las 21 Vegas Metro. Police Dep't, 966 F.3d 960, 963 (9th Cir. 2020) (quoting Jordan, 110 P.3d 22 at 48–49). 23 In the TAC, Plaintiff alleges the “the DA” stopped a favorable witness from 24 testifying regarding the charges resulting from the May Arrest. (ECF No. 96 at 3.) It is 25 unclear if the witness planned to testify at the probable cause hearing or a later hearing 26 or whether the testimony would have affected the probable cause finding. Nevertheless,
27 12There is no dispute regarding the third element, as the criminal charges against 28 Plaintiff were ultimately dismissed. (ECF Nos. 96 at 2, 102 at 3.) 2 undermined a probable cause finding could plausibly state a prima facie case for 3 malicious prosecution.13 4 Even if Plaintiff effectively alleged that Prosecutor Defendants suppressed this 5 testimony at this preliminary hearing, this activity would likely be protected by 6 prosecutorial immunity. Prosecutors are absolutely immune from suit for actions 7 “intimately associated with the judicial phase of the criminal process.” Imbler v. 8 Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 430 (1976). Accordingly, “a prosecutor enjoys absolute 9 immunity from a suit alleging that he maliciously initiated a prosecution, used perjured 10 testimony at trial, or suppressed material evidence at trial.” Genzler v. Longanbach, 410 11 F.3d 630, 637 (9th Cir. 2005) (citing Imbler, 424 U.S. at 430.) This immunity also 12 extends to “direct participation in a probable cause hearing.” Id. (citing Burns v. Reed, 13 500 U.S. 478, 491 (1991)). 14 In his response, Plaintiff claims “Defendants advised law enforcement on 15 suppressing evidence, making their role investigative rather than prosecutorial.” (ECF 16 No. 107 at 2 (citing Genzler, 410 F.3d at 638).) Plaintiff also claims in his response that 17 the probable cause finding was invalid because Defendants “fabricated evidence.” (Id. 18 at 3.) But Plaintiff provides no facts about what evidence was allegedly suppressed or 19 fabricated or when or how Prosecutor Defendants advised law enforcement. 20 Accordingly, the Court dismisses the malicious prosecution claims against the 21 Prosecutor Defendants. 22 /// 23 24 13In the exhibits to the TAC, Plaintiff annotates on documentation of the probable cause determination hearings, in both cases, that he “was not there.” (ECF No. 96-2 at 25 1, 2.) Under Nevada law, “[t]he defendant may cross-examine witnesses against him or her and may introduce evidence in his or her own behalf” at these preliminary 26 examinations. NRS § 171.196.5, The supplied document indicates Plaintiff attended his first appearance and bail hearing at 9:30 am in both cases, but it is not clear from the 27 record whether Plaintiff attended the probable cause hearing held at 12:00 pm. (ECF No. 96-2 at 1, 2.) From this minor annotation, the Court cannot decipher how or why 28 Plaintiff might not be present or how this relates to his claims. 2 Defendants argue Plaintiff’s witness suppression claim is merely “a reformatted 3 Brady claim, which was dismissed with prejudice.” (ECF No. 101 at 2; 94 at 15.) The 4 Court does not entirely agree with this characterization. The Sixth and Fourteenth 5 Amendments guarantees criminal defendants the right to a fair trial, including “the right 6 to offer testimony of witnesses.” Soo Park v. Thompson, 851 F.3d 910, 919 (9th Cir. 7 2017) (quoting Washington v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 18–19 (1967)). Unlike a Brady 8 violation claim, a lack of conviction does not bar a Section 1983 claim based on this 9 right. See id. But because charges were dropped before Plaintiff faced a trial without 10 this witness, Plaintiff has no claim for a right to compulsory process. And to the extent 11 Plaintiff does seek to raise a Brady violation, the Court agrees with Defendants that this 12 is barred in accordance with the Court’s prior order. The Court therefore dismisses this 13 witness suppression claim against the Prosecutor Defendants without leave to amend, 14 as amendment would be futile given the undisputed facts. 15 2. CPS Defendants 16 Plaintiff names three employees or agents of Washoe County Child Protective 17 Services in the TAC. (ECF No. 96 at 1, 3.)14 Plaintiff alleges these CPS Defendants 18 violated his due process rights by relying on a false police report and charging Plaintiff 19 without evidence or an opportunity to challenge the findings. (Id. at 3.) In its previous 20 order, the Court granted Plaintiff leave to amend specific claims against four listed 21 /// 22 /// 23 /// 24 25 14Plaintiff names three CPS employees or agents as Defendants in the caption: Monica Martinez, Amber Howell, and Megan Hildebrand. (ECF No. 96 at 1.) In the 26 factual allegations, Plaintiff also mentions Tammy Williamson. (Id. at 3.) On Plaintiff’s motion, Williamson was dismissed from this lawsuit in April 2025. (ECF No. 127.) 27 Therefore, while Williamson is listed on the CPS Defendants’ motion to dismiss, this order addresses only the three remaining Defendants. (ECF No. 101.) 28 2 without prejudice.15 3 C. October Arrest Defendants (ECF No. 156) 4 Defendants move to dismiss RPD Officers Burda, Thornton and Burnson 5 (“October Arrest Defendants”) for insufficient service of process and failure to state a 6 claim. (ECF No. 156.) 7 The Court does not have jurisdiction over a defendant that has not been properly 8 served in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4. See Direct Mail 9 Specialists, Inc. v. Eclat Computerized Techs., Inc., 840 F.2d 685, 688 (9th Cir. 1988). 10 Rule 4 “is a flexible rule that should be liberally construed so long as a party receives 11 sufficient notice of the complaint.” Id. (quoting United Food & Commercial Workers 12 Union v. Alpha Beta Co., 736 F.2d 1371, 1382 (9th Cir.1984)). But “[n]either actual 13 notice, nor simply naming the defendant in the complaint” is sufficient. Crowley v. 14 Bannister, 734 F.3d 967 (9th Cir. 2013) (quoting Jackson v. Hayakawa, 682 F.2d 1344, 15 1347 (9th Cir.1982)). Under Rule 4(m), a defendant who remains unserved 90 days 16 after the complaint is filed must either be dismissed or the Court must order that service 17 be effectuated within a specified time. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m). The Court must extend 18 the time for service where a plaintiff demonstrates good cause for the delay. See id. 19 While pro se litigants are held to less stringent standards than lawyers, pro se litigants 20 must still follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Jacobsen v. Filler, 790 F.2d 21 1362, 1364 (9th Cir. 1986). 22 It is undisputed that Plaintiff failed to serve RPD Officers Burda, Thornton and 23 Burnson.16 Plaintiff does not offer any explanation for this delay. While the Court 24 recognizes the limitations of Plaintiff’s pro se status, he still successfully executed
25 15The Court dismisses on this ground and therefore does not address 26 Defendants’ arguments that Plaintiff’s due process and fabricated evidence claims fail or that CPS Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity. (ECF No. 107 at 7-12.) 27 16Plaintiff filed the TAC on March 4, 2025. The 90-day deadline for service 28 passed on June 2, 2025. 2 persuasively argues that the October Arrest Defendants had actual notice because they 3 are represented by the same counsel as other served Defendants. (ECF No. 159 at 2- 4 3.) While actual notice is not a sufficient replacement for service of process, see 5 Crowley, 734 F.3d 967 (9th Cir. 2013), it is one of the factors a court may consider 6 when evaluating whether to invoke its broad discretion to grant additional time to effect 7 service. See Efaw v. Williams, 473 F.3d 1038, 1041 (9th Cir. 2007). 8 Regardless, the Court agrees with Defendants that Plaintiff fails to state a claim 9 against the October Arrest Defendants. (ECF Nos. 156 at 6-8; 162 at 3.) The Court 10 previously granted Plaintiff leave to amend his complaint to add claims against 11 individuals related to the October Arrest. (ECF No. 94 at 18-20.) But the Court 12 “reminded [Plaintiff] that any new claims against officers or others involved in the 13 October 2023 arrest must include factual assertions sufficient to support the individual 14 elements of those claims.” (Id. at 20 (citing West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).) 15 Despite this warning, Plaintiff added the names of these three officers to the list of 16 defendants without including any factual allegations regarding the alleged constitutional 17 violations. (ECF No. 96 at 1, 2-3.) The one reference to the October Arrest is the 18 statement that “Plaintiff was falsely arrested multiple times, including on. . . October 12, 19 2023.” (Id. at 1.) Besides the caption, Plaintiff does not mention Burda, Thornton, or 20 Brunson once.17 (Id.) 21 Plaintiff seeks to file a sur-reply to the October Arrest Defendants’ motion to 22 dismiss. (ECF No. 163.) Plaintiff alleges Defendants “incorrectly assert Plaintiff failed to 23 24 17In his response to the October Arrest Defendants’ motion to dismiss, Plaintiff mentions a “pattern of witness tampering and fabrication of probable cause, further 25 supported by the fact that City Defendants drove witnesses to depositions, spoke to them in advance, and pressured them to make statements – all of which were rejected.” 26 As discussed above, Plaintiff cannot raise a Brady violation claim or a witness suppression claim as all charges from these three arrests were dropped. See infra III. B. 27 1. Moreover, the generalized allegation that some unspecified Defendants’ actions contributed to a broader pattern of misconduct is not sufficient to hold RPD Officers 28 Burda, Thornton and Burnson personally liable. 2 claimed Plaintiff had committed acts of domestic battery and resisting arrest, attempted 3 to obtain statements from alleged witnesses, failed to secure any such statements, and 4 nonetheless arrest Plaintiff without probable cause, resulting in charges that were 5 subsequently dismissed.” (Id. at 102.) But as discussed above, Plaintiff did not “clearly 6 identify[]” these factual allegations in the TAC. Besides the general reference to a “false 7 arrest[]” on October 12, the only indication of this incident in the TAC is an affidavit from 8 Emma Deleon which is attached as an exhibit to the TAC without any context of 9 explanation. (ECF No. 96-1 at 14.) Because Ms. Deleon was also the complaining 10 witness from the February Arrest, it was unclear to the Court which incident her affidavit 11 related to. Accordingly, the Court denies Plaintiffs motion to file a sur-reply. (ECF No. 12 163.) 13 For these reasons, the Court dismisses RPD Officers Burda, Thornton and 14 Brunson from the case. 15 IV. PLAINTIFF’S MISCELLANEOUS MOTIONS 16 Plaintiff filed six motions requesting varied and occasionally overlapping relief. (ECF 17 Nos. 139, 140, 141, 169, 171, 173.) The Court addresses them in turn. 18 A. ECF Nos. 139, 14018 19 Plaintiff objects to the Magistrate Judge’s denial of his motion to compel relating 20 to body camera footage and designating the Use of Force Report from May 29, 2023 21 (“the Report”) as protected under the procedures set forth in the Protective Order.19 22 23 24 18The two filings are identical but they are filed twice because they contain different requested reliefs. See LR IC 2-2(b) (“For each type of relief requested or 25 purpose of the document, a separate document must be filed and a separate event must be selected for that document.) The Court addresses these two filings collectively. 26 19The parties engaged in multiple filings and court-ordered meet-and-confers 27 over the Use of Force Report relating to the May Arrest by Officers Dylan Staples and Christopher Rose. (ECF Nos. 95, 127.) 28 2 Nos. 137, 138.) After hearing from the parties, the Magistrate Judge found Defendants 3 produced the body camera footage at issue and only modified the video to blur the 4 faces of the officers. (ECF No. 138 at 1.) In doing so, the Magistrate Judge rejected 5 Plaintiff’s contention (ECF No. 125) that footage from the body cam was omitted or that 6 the body cam footage was improperly modified or muted. (ECF No. 138.) As for 7 Plaintiff’s challenge to the Report being subject to the Protective Order, the Magistrate 8 Judge evaluated the particularized harm that would result from the disclosure of the 9 Report and the public and private interests of access and found “Defendants have 10 established good cause for maintaining confidentiality.” (Id. at 2.) Having reviewed the 11 filings, the Court finds the Magistrate Judge did not clearly err.21 12 Plaintiff further challenges the Magistrate Judge’s manner of addressing his 13 motions through “unrequested hearings” instead of through written orders. (ECF No. 14 139 at 3.) But the Court has inherent authority to manage its docket and may exercise 15 its discretion to hold a hearing to more expeditiously resolve disputes. See Dietz v. 16 Bouldin, 579 U.S. 40, 47 (2016) (quoting Link v. Wabash R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630–631 17 (1962)) (holding that “a district court possesses inherent powers that are ‘governed not 18 by rule or statute but by the control necessarily vested in courts to manage their own 19 affairs so as to achieve the orderly and expeditious disposition of cases.’” ). Here, the 20 minutes of the hearing reflects the Court’s rulings and the parties may request a 21
22 20In fact, the Magistrate Judge previously addressed these two issues at prior 23 hearings. (ECF Nos. 95, 127.) This is the primary reason the Court will deny Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file late objection (ECF No. 141) as discussed below. 24 21In reviewing a magistrate judge’s non-dispositive pretrial order, the magistrate’s 25 factual determinations are reviewed for clear error. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a). “A finding is clearly erroneous when although there is 26 evidence to support it, the reviewing body on the entire evidence is left with the definite 27 and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.” United States v. Ressam, 593 F.3d 1095, 1118 (9th Cir. 2010) (quotation omitted). 28 2 Court provides oral instead of written rulings lacks any merits. 3 Plaintiff seeks reassignment of the Magistrate Judge under 28 U.S.C. § 455(a), 4 arguing in gist that the Magistrate Judge is bias because he made adverse rulings and 5 because of the process of addressing motions through scheduling hearings. (ECF No. 6 140 at 4.) 28 U.S.C. § 455(a) mandates disqualification if the judge’s impartiality might 7 reasonably be questioned. Section 455(a) requires an objective inquiry. See United 8 States v. Holland, 519 F.3d 909, 912-14 (9th Cir. 2008). But this objective standard 9 “must not be so broadly construed that it becomes, in effect, presumptive, so that 10 recusal is mandated upon the merest unsubstantiated suggestion of personal bias or 11 prejudice.” Id. at 913 (citation omitted). Plaintiff cites the Magistrate Judge’s “consistent 12 denial of Plaintiff’s motions despite factual and legal merit” and purported “apparent 13 deference to defense explanations” as evidence of bias. But a judge’s “adverse ruling is 14 not sufficient case for recusal.” United States v. McTiernan, 695 F.3d 882, 893 (9th Cir. 15 2012). As for resolving motions through scheduling hearings, the Magistrate Judge 16 properly exercised his discretion to expeditiously resolve disputes and is not evidence of 17 bias. 18 For these reasons, the Court overrules Plaintiff’s objection (ECF No. 139) and 19 denies Plaintiff’s motion for reassignment of magistrate judge (ECF No. 140). 20 B. ECF No. 141 21 Plaintiff asks for leave to file a late objection to the Magistrate Judge’s rulings 22 during a hearing held on April 8, 2025. (ECF No. 141.) The Court denies Plaintiff’s 23 motion because Plaintiff has not demonstrated good cause for the late filing. More 24 importantly, Plaintiff’s objection raises some of the same arguments relating to the 25 Magistrate Judge’s rulings on the production of the body came footage and the 26 Protective Order. (ECF Nos. 139, 140.) The Court already addressed and denied relief 27 based on these similar arguments. See infra IV. A. 28 /// 2 The Court denies Plaintiff’s motion in limine (ECF No. 169) for two reasons.22 3 First, the motion does not comply with the Court’s Local Rules which requires the 4 moving party to attach a “statement certifying that the parties have participated in the 5 meet-and-confer process and have been unable to resolve the matter without court 6 intervention.” LR 16-3(a). This is required because parties may be able to resolve their 7 dispute without filing a motion. Second, the motion is premature at this point.23 A motion 8 in limine is a procedural mechanism to limit testimony or evidence in a particular area in 9 advance of trial. See U.S. v. Heller, 551 F.3d 1108, 1111-12 (9th Cir. 2009). The Court 10 has not yet scheduled trial. The Court accordingly denies Plaintiff’s motion in limine 11 (ECF No. 169) without prejudice to Plaintiff filing the motion before trial and in 12 compliance with LR 16-3(a). 13 D. ECF Nos. 171, 173 14 Plaintiff argues that the Magistrate Judge clearly erred in determining that his 15 filing—“Plaintiff’s Initial Pretrial Disclosures”—falls within the category of discovery and 16 therefore should not be returned to him. (ECF Nos. 171 at 3; 173 at 204.) Even 17 assuming Plaintiff filed “trial-related disclosures” (ECF No. 171 at 3 (describing the filing 18 as “trial-related disclosures”)), Plaintiff does not cite to a rule that allows for such a filing. 19 Disclosures for trial purposes will be presented to the Court in a proposed joint pretrial 20 order when the case is ready to be scheduled for trial. The current deadline for filing the 21 proposed joint pretrial order is 30 days after dispositive motions are resolved. (ECF No. 22 99 at 5.) It is currently too premature for Plaintiff to file any “trial-related disclosures”. 23 Moreover, the form of the proposed pretrial order is established at LR 16-4. 24 25 22Plaintiff also filed a reply in support of his motion in limine (ECF No. 175) without seeking leave of court. See LR 16-3(a) (“Replies [in support of motions in limine] 26 will be allowed only with leave of the court.”) Accordingly, the Court will strike Plaintiff’s reply brief. 27 23As Defendants point out, the Court previously denied Plaintiff’s motion in limine 28 as premature. (ECF Nos. 93; 174 at 2.) 2 raised in his earlier motion (ECF No 140) and adding additional allegations about 3 perceived treatments of the parties. The Court denies Plaintiff’s request. Again, there is 4 no evidence that Judge Denney’s “impartiality might reasonably be questioned” to 5 support Plaintiff’s request under 28 U.S.C. § 455(a). 6 V. CONCLUSION 7 The Court notes that the parties made several arguments and cited to several 8 cases not discussed above. The Court has reviewed these arguments and cases and 9 determines that they do not warrant discussion as they do not affect the outcome of the 10 Motions before the Court. 11 It is therefore ordered that Defendants’ motions to dismiss (ECF Nos. 101, 102, 12 156) are granted. Police Chief Nance, CPS representatives Monica Martinez, Amber 13 Howell, and Megan Hildebrand, the City of Reno, DA Hicks, Deputy DA Hollandsworth, 14 and RPD Officers Burda, Thornton and Brunson are dismissed. Because Plaintiff has 15 been given an opportunity to amend and fails to allege facts sufficient to state a claim, 16 dismissal is with prejudice unless otherwise stated herein. 17 It is further ordered that Plaintiffs motion to file a sur-reply (ECF No. 163) is 18 denied. 19 It is further ordered that Plaintiff’s objections (ECF Nos. 139, 171) are overruled 20 and Plaintiff’s related motion for reconsideration (ECF No. 173) is denied. 21 It is further ordered that Plaintiff’s motion for reassignment of Magistrate Judge 22 (ECF No. 140) is denied. 23 It is further ordered that Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file late objection (ECF No. 24 141) is denied. 25 It is further ordered that Plaintiff’s motion in limine (ECF No. 169) is denied. It is 26 further ordered that Plaintiff’s reply in support of motion in limine (ECF No. 175) is 27 stricken. 28 /// 1 It is further ordered that Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 160) is 2 || denied without prejudice. 3 4 DATED THIS 7" Day of January 2026. 5 6 7 MIRANDAM.DU ———<“‘i‘CSOSCS UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20