Medaglia v. Allendale Police Dept.

CourtDistrict Court, D. South Carolina
DecidedAugust 23, 2024
Docket1:24-cv-00533
StatusUnknown

This text of Medaglia v. Allendale Police Dept. (Medaglia v. Allendale Police Dept.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. South Carolina primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Medaglia v. Allendale Police Dept., (D.S.C. 2024).

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA

John Medaglia III, ) C/A No.: 1:24-533-MGL-SVH ) Plaintiff, ) ) vs. ) ) REPORT AND Allendale Police Dept. and Chief ) RECOMMENDATION Wiggins, also known as Lawrence ) Wiggins, ) ) Defendants. ) )

John Medaglia III (“Plaintiff”), proceeding pro se, alleges that on November 7, 2023, he was wrongfully arrested while exercising his Constitutional rights at a post office in Allendale, South Carolina. Plaintiff sues the Allendale Police Department and its Chief Lawrence Wiggins (“Wiggins”) (collectively “Defendants”). Defendants seek dismissal of Plaintiff’s claims. Plaintiff filed this case on February 1, 2024, asserting that his First and Fourth Amendment rights have been violated, referencing a kidnapping claim under South Carolina law pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-910, as well as a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. [ECF No. 1]. This matter is before the court on Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. [ECF No. 22]. Pursuant to , 528 F.2d 309 (4th Cir. 1975), the court advised Plaintiff of the dismissal procedures and the possible consequences if he failed to respond adequately to Defendants’ motion. [ECF

No. 24]. Having been briefed [ECF No. 26, 27], the motion is ripe for disposition. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Civ. Rule 73.02(B)(2)(d) (D.S.C.), this matter has been referred to the undersigned for all pretrial

proceedings. After carefully considering the record, the undersigned recommends the district judge grant Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. I. Factual and Procedural Background

Plaintiff alleges in his unverified complaint in full as follows: On 11-07-23, I (plaintiff) was in the public area of the post office at 315 Augusta Hwy filming my transaction when the defendant subsequently arrested me for expressing my first amendment rights and took my ID after refusing to identify myself, then he took me outside against my will to arrest and book me.

I ask the court to grant me $400,000 for all punitive damages for the alleged violations as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress. I would also like a written official apology from the defendant regarding said violations.

[ECF No. 1 at 5 (errors in original, minor edits made)].1

1 In this Circuit, verified complaints filed by pro se plaintiffs can be considered as affidavits when the allegations contained therein are based on personal knowledge. , 952 F.2d 820, 823 (4th Cir. 1991). However, Plaintiff’s complaint in this case is not verified nor has In response, Defendants have submitted the following undisputed evidence: On November 7, 2023, Plaintiff visited the post office in Allendale,

South Carolina, to record a video to be placed on his YouTube channel. [ECF No. 22-1 at 0:13].2 Plaintiff testified the video contains all “pertinent” interactions relative to that visit. [ECF No. 22-3 32:8–33:3]. Plaintiff’s video begins with him walking into the post office, waiting

near the boxes, and then filming a closeup of Poster 7, which states the following: Photographs for news purposes may be taken in entrances, lobbies, foyers, corridors, or auditoriums when used for public meetings except where prohibited by official signs or Security Force personnel or other authorized personnel or federal court order or rule. Other photographs may be taken only with permission of the local Postmaster or installation head.

[ECF No. 22-1 at 0:27–1:11, ECF No. 22-2]. Although not featured in the closeup by Plaintiff, Poster 7 also contains a specific restriction on disturbances:

Plaintiff submitted any evidence in response to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. [ ECF Nos. 1, 26]. 2 Defendants have submitted evidence that Plaintiff holds himself as “First Amendment Protection Agency” or “FAPA,” and maintains a YouTube channel under that same name. [ECF No. 22-1 at 13:28]. Medaglia “travel[s] the country doing first amendment audits on municipalities and public buildings.” at 13:28. Medaglia derives income from taking videos in public places and quasi-public places such as post offices and then posting them on his YouTube channel. [ECF No. 22-3 at 20:1–22:13]. Plaintiff disputes Defendants’ assertion that he is not “press,” but this dispute is immaterial to the resolution of the instant motion. [ ECF No. 26 at 1]. Disturbances

Disorderly conduct, or conduct that creates loud and unusual noise, or which impedes entrance to or departure from Post Offices™ or otherwise obstructs the usual use of entrances, foyers, corridors, offices, elevators, stairways, and parking lots, or which otherwise tends to impede or disturb the public or employees in the performance of their duties, or which otherwise impedes or disturbs the general public in transacting business or obtaining the services provided on Postal Service property, is prohibited.

[ECF No. 22-2].3 After viewing Poster 7, Plaintiff opens the entry doors to the post office, interacts with Sherri, who identifies herself as the officer in charge (“OIC”) that day. [ECF No. 22-1 at 1:14–3:05]. At this point, there are no others in the room, and Plaintiff proceeds to purchase one stamp and briefly discuss Poster 7 with Sherri. After completing his transaction, Plaintiff does not exit the post office, but instead stands in a corner facing the entry doors. at 3:06. Red typeface appears on the screen: “I was about to head out after thinking no one was

3 Similarly, 39 C.F.R. § 232.1(e), concerning disturbances on postal property, provides as follows: Disorderly conduct, or conduct which creates loud and unusual noise, or which impedes ingress to or egress from post offices, or otherwise obstructs the usual use of entrances, foyers, corridors, offices, elevators, stairways, and parking lots, or which otherwise tends to impede or disturb the public employees in the performance of their duties, or which otherwise impedes or disturbs the general public in transacting business or obtaining the services provided on property, is prohibited. gonna say a word but I knew things were gonna go downhill when this clown showed up . . .”

A black male (“the Customer”) walks through the entry doors, and Plaintiff immediately engages him. at 3:13–3:16. Upon seeing Plaintiff pointing a phone camera at him, the Customer tells Plaintiff that he needs permission to take pictures of him, and Plaintiff responds, “No, I don’t.” at

3:17–3:24. The Customer then turns his back on Plaintiff, approaches the counter, and asks Sherri, “What’s wrong with this crazy guy in here?” at 3:24–3:26. Sherri responds that she does not know, and they have a brief exchange during which the Customer remarks that the “crazy guy” cannot be

taking pictures of him, and Sherri indicates she needs “to call somebody” about Plaintiff. at 3:27–3:58. The Customer then stands at the counter while he waits for Sherri to go in the back. at 3:58–4:26. The Customer remarks to another customer, “I don’t know what he’s

doing,” and he and Plaintiff have an exchange about what he “can and cannot do.” at 4:26–4:57. There is silence for a few seconds, until Plaintiff reengages the Customer: “Walk in here, cause a disturbance and call me a crazy guy.” at 5:05–5:07. The Customer turns around and asks, “What

disturbance I got?” and there is another heated exchange. at 5:08–5:38.

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