1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 SAMUEL RUSS OXLEY, 11 Case No. 23-cv-02371 BLF (PR) Plaintiff, 12 ORDER OF SERVICE; DIRECTING DEFENDANTS TO FILE 13 v. DISPOSITIVE MOTION OR NOTICE REGARDING SUCH 14 MOTION; INSTRUCTIONS TO MADRIGAL, et al., CLERK 15 Defendants. 16
17 18 Plaintiff, a state prisoner, filed the instant pro se civil rights action pursuant to 42 19 U.S.C. § 1983 against officers and the medical staff at the West County Detention Facility 20 in Contra Costa County, where he was previously confined. Dkt. No. 1. The Court 21 dismissed the complaint with leave to amend to correct various deficiencies. Dkt. No. 10. 22 Plaintiff filed an amended complaint. Dkt. No. 11. 23 24 DISCUSSION 25 A. Standard of Review 26 A federal court must conduct a preliminary screening in any case in which a 27 prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a 1 cognizable claims and dismiss any claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim 2 upon which relief may be granted or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune 3 from such relief. See id. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). Pro se pleadings must, however, be liberally 4 construed. See Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). 5 To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two essential 6 elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was 7 violated, and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under the 8 color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). 9 B. Plaintiff’s Claims 10 Plaintiff names the following as Defendants: (1) Deputy Madrigal; (2) Deputy 11 Santiago; (3) Sgt. Spangler; and (4) Lt. T. Rossberg. Dkt. No. 11 at 1. All Defendants 12 worked at the West County Detention Facility during the underlying events. Id. 13 Plaintiff alleges that on March 3, 2023, at approximately 1 p.m., Deputy Madrigal 14 denied him access to the restroom. Id. Plaintiff is an “ADA” inmate with numerous 15 medical issues for which he was issued a “medical blue slip” giving him access to the 16 restroom during lock down. Id. at 1-2. Defendant Madrigal intentionally ignored 17 Plaintiff’s medical condition, forcing him to defecate into a plastic bag in his cell. Id. at 2. 18 Plaintiff approached Deputy Santiago for an inmate grievance form to complain about 19 Deputy Madrigal’s actions, and to request a shower to properly clean himself. Id. Deputy 20 Santiago laughed and denied the shower, telling Plaintiff to wait until “free time” at 3:30 21 p.m., which “made the humiliation much worse” as other inmates were allowed access. Id. 22 On March 5, 2023, Sgt. Spangler responded to Plaintiff’s grievance: “Deputy 23 Madrigal is on training and the issue was addressed with training officer,” who was 24 Deputy Santiago. Id. Sgt. Splanger also stated that the “medical blue slip appropriateness 25 will be address[ed] w/medical staff so that this issue does not come up again.” Id. 26 On March 13, 2023, Lt. Rossberg spoke with Plaintiff to discuss the grievance. Id. 1 Plaintiff refused, Lt. Rossberg promptly ended the conversation. Id. On March 14, 2023, 2 Lt. Rossberg’s response to the appeal noted, “We spoke on 3/13/2023 regarding your 3 grievance.” Id. 4 On March 13, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., Plaintiff was called by RN Karima regarding his 5 blue slip which had been approved three days prior. Id. at 2-3. RN Karima informed 6 Plaintiff that he “got into trouble” for renewing the blue slip. Id. at 3. RN Karima then 7 revoked the blue slip, merely stating that the “decision came from higher up.” Id. When 8 Plaintiff filed a grievance on the matter, the medical response stated that “I have access to 9 the restroom during locked down and it expire[s] 5-11-2023.” Id. Plaintiff appealed the 10 response because RN Karima had taken back that blue slip; a nurse informed him that he 11 had an appointment with the doctor on March 30, 2023. Id. 12 On March 30, 2023, Plaintiff went to medical for what he thought was a routine 13 medical follow up. Id. at 3. While speaking with Dr. Standish, the discussion turned to the 14 blue slip issue. Id. Plaintiff was asked whether he would like to go to Martinez Detention 15 Facility (“MDF”) which had restrooms in the cells. Id. Plaintiff declined because MDF 16 had less activities and he would have to stay in his cell for longer periods of time. Id. 17 Plaintiff advised that “it wasn’t just about a medical condition or that I am (ADA)” that he 18 was issued a medical slip, but because must have access to water and restrooms regardless 19 since he is housed in a “dry cell.” Id. When Dr. Standish called for RN Ashanti, she 20 disclosed that Lt. Rossberg had sent an email to medical staff supervisor ordering medical 21 staff to not issue medical blue slips for access to restrooms during lock downs. Id. 22 Plaintiff alleges that Deputy Madrigal, Deputy Santiago, Sgt. Spangler, and Lt. 23 Rossberg were “engaging in a course of outrageous conduct” and that “No human being 24 should have been subject to that treatment, disregarding common decency, the retaliation, 25 the impending threat, the abuse of power and the support of Deputy Madrigal who knew 26 by not allowing access and assistance it was definite that that result would occur.” Id. at 3- 1 ADA inmate, and because he would not “drop my right to grievance.” Id. 2 On April 19, 2023, Plaintiff was again confronted by Deputy Madrigal who came to 3 his cell to conduct a “security check.” Id. at 4. Deputy Madrigal allegedly found 4 something in the cell door, and warned Plaintiff “not do to it again,” implying that Plaintiff 5 was hiding things in his cell. Id. Deputy Madrigal stated that he found a razor in the same 6 place the previous week. Id. Plaintiff felt Deputy Madrigal was harassing him, perhaps 7 even threatening to plant contraband in his cell, in retaliation for the previous month’s 8 incident; he denies being responsible for the alleged “razor” contraband. Id. Plaintiff filed 9 a grievance for the harassment. Id. 10 On April 20, 2023, Sgt. Hayes’s response to the grievance stated: “(1) one topic per 11 grievance (2) speak with medical if you need special housing due to bowel issues (3) speak 12 with staff during your hearing due to the write up.” Id. Plaintiff appealed the findings on 13 the same day. Id. As of the filing of the complaint on May 16, 2023, Plaintiff did not 14 receive a response. Id. 15 Plaintiff claims the following: (1) his rights as an ADA were violated; (2) Eighth 16 Amendment violation for the deprivation of a basic necessity, i.e., hygiene; and (3) 17 retaliation for the filing of grievances. Dkt. No. 11 at 4-6. Liberally construed, Plaintiff’s 18 allegations in the amended complaint are sufficient to state cognizable claims. 19 20 CONCLUSION 21 For the foregoing reasons, the Court orders as follows: 22 1. The Clerk of the Court shall mail a Notice of Lawsuit and Request for 23 Waiver of Service of Summons, two copies of the Waiver of Service of Summons, a copy 24 of the amended complaint, Dkt. No. 11, all attachments thereto, and a copy of this order 25 upon Defendants Deputy Madrigal, Deputy Santiago, Sgt. Spangler, and Lt. Rossberg 26 at the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff (1850 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 1 The Clerk shall terminate the “Medical Staff Department” as a defendant in this 2 action because this defendant was not named in the amended complaint and is therefore no 3 longer a party to this action. 4 2.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 SAMUEL RUSS OXLEY, 11 Case No. 23-cv-02371 BLF (PR) Plaintiff, 12 ORDER OF SERVICE; DIRECTING DEFENDANTS TO FILE 13 v. DISPOSITIVE MOTION OR NOTICE REGARDING SUCH 14 MOTION; INSTRUCTIONS TO MADRIGAL, et al., CLERK 15 Defendants. 16
17 18 Plaintiff, a state prisoner, filed the instant pro se civil rights action pursuant to 42 19 U.S.C. § 1983 against officers and the medical staff at the West County Detention Facility 20 in Contra Costa County, where he was previously confined. Dkt. No. 1. The Court 21 dismissed the complaint with leave to amend to correct various deficiencies. Dkt. No. 10. 22 Plaintiff filed an amended complaint. Dkt. No. 11. 23 24 DISCUSSION 25 A. Standard of Review 26 A federal court must conduct a preliminary screening in any case in which a 27 prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a 1 cognizable claims and dismiss any claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim 2 upon which relief may be granted or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune 3 from such relief. See id. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). Pro se pleadings must, however, be liberally 4 construed. See Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). 5 To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two essential 6 elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was 7 violated, and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under the 8 color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). 9 B. Plaintiff’s Claims 10 Plaintiff names the following as Defendants: (1) Deputy Madrigal; (2) Deputy 11 Santiago; (3) Sgt. Spangler; and (4) Lt. T. Rossberg. Dkt. No. 11 at 1. All Defendants 12 worked at the West County Detention Facility during the underlying events. Id. 13 Plaintiff alleges that on March 3, 2023, at approximately 1 p.m., Deputy Madrigal 14 denied him access to the restroom. Id. Plaintiff is an “ADA” inmate with numerous 15 medical issues for which he was issued a “medical blue slip” giving him access to the 16 restroom during lock down. Id. at 1-2. Defendant Madrigal intentionally ignored 17 Plaintiff’s medical condition, forcing him to defecate into a plastic bag in his cell. Id. at 2. 18 Plaintiff approached Deputy Santiago for an inmate grievance form to complain about 19 Deputy Madrigal’s actions, and to request a shower to properly clean himself. Id. Deputy 20 Santiago laughed and denied the shower, telling Plaintiff to wait until “free time” at 3:30 21 p.m., which “made the humiliation much worse” as other inmates were allowed access. Id. 22 On March 5, 2023, Sgt. Spangler responded to Plaintiff’s grievance: “Deputy 23 Madrigal is on training and the issue was addressed with training officer,” who was 24 Deputy Santiago. Id. Sgt. Splanger also stated that the “medical blue slip appropriateness 25 will be address[ed] w/medical staff so that this issue does not come up again.” Id. 26 On March 13, 2023, Lt. Rossberg spoke with Plaintiff to discuss the grievance. Id. 1 Plaintiff refused, Lt. Rossberg promptly ended the conversation. Id. On March 14, 2023, 2 Lt. Rossberg’s response to the appeal noted, “We spoke on 3/13/2023 regarding your 3 grievance.” Id. 4 On March 13, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., Plaintiff was called by RN Karima regarding his 5 blue slip which had been approved three days prior. Id. at 2-3. RN Karima informed 6 Plaintiff that he “got into trouble” for renewing the blue slip. Id. at 3. RN Karima then 7 revoked the blue slip, merely stating that the “decision came from higher up.” Id. When 8 Plaintiff filed a grievance on the matter, the medical response stated that “I have access to 9 the restroom during locked down and it expire[s] 5-11-2023.” Id. Plaintiff appealed the 10 response because RN Karima had taken back that blue slip; a nurse informed him that he 11 had an appointment with the doctor on March 30, 2023. Id. 12 On March 30, 2023, Plaintiff went to medical for what he thought was a routine 13 medical follow up. Id. at 3. While speaking with Dr. Standish, the discussion turned to the 14 blue slip issue. Id. Plaintiff was asked whether he would like to go to Martinez Detention 15 Facility (“MDF”) which had restrooms in the cells. Id. Plaintiff declined because MDF 16 had less activities and he would have to stay in his cell for longer periods of time. Id. 17 Plaintiff advised that “it wasn’t just about a medical condition or that I am (ADA)” that he 18 was issued a medical slip, but because must have access to water and restrooms regardless 19 since he is housed in a “dry cell.” Id. When Dr. Standish called for RN Ashanti, she 20 disclosed that Lt. Rossberg had sent an email to medical staff supervisor ordering medical 21 staff to not issue medical blue slips for access to restrooms during lock downs. Id. 22 Plaintiff alleges that Deputy Madrigal, Deputy Santiago, Sgt. Spangler, and Lt. 23 Rossberg were “engaging in a course of outrageous conduct” and that “No human being 24 should have been subject to that treatment, disregarding common decency, the retaliation, 25 the impending threat, the abuse of power and the support of Deputy Madrigal who knew 26 by not allowing access and assistance it was definite that that result would occur.” Id. at 3- 1 ADA inmate, and because he would not “drop my right to grievance.” Id. 2 On April 19, 2023, Plaintiff was again confronted by Deputy Madrigal who came to 3 his cell to conduct a “security check.” Id. at 4. Deputy Madrigal allegedly found 4 something in the cell door, and warned Plaintiff “not do to it again,” implying that Plaintiff 5 was hiding things in his cell. Id. Deputy Madrigal stated that he found a razor in the same 6 place the previous week. Id. Plaintiff felt Deputy Madrigal was harassing him, perhaps 7 even threatening to plant contraband in his cell, in retaliation for the previous month’s 8 incident; he denies being responsible for the alleged “razor” contraband. Id. Plaintiff filed 9 a grievance for the harassment. Id. 10 On April 20, 2023, Sgt. Hayes’s response to the grievance stated: “(1) one topic per 11 grievance (2) speak with medical if you need special housing due to bowel issues (3) speak 12 with staff during your hearing due to the write up.” Id. Plaintiff appealed the findings on 13 the same day. Id. As of the filing of the complaint on May 16, 2023, Plaintiff did not 14 receive a response. Id. 15 Plaintiff claims the following: (1) his rights as an ADA were violated; (2) Eighth 16 Amendment violation for the deprivation of a basic necessity, i.e., hygiene; and (3) 17 retaliation for the filing of grievances. Dkt. No. 11 at 4-6. Liberally construed, Plaintiff’s 18 allegations in the amended complaint are sufficient to state cognizable claims. 19 20 CONCLUSION 21 For the foregoing reasons, the Court orders as follows: 22 1. The Clerk of the Court shall mail a Notice of Lawsuit and Request for 23 Waiver of Service of Summons, two copies of the Waiver of Service of Summons, a copy 24 of the amended complaint, Dkt. No. 11, all attachments thereto, and a copy of this order 25 upon Defendants Deputy Madrigal, Deputy Santiago, Sgt. Spangler, and Lt. Rossberg 26 at the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff (1850 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 1 The Clerk shall terminate the “Medical Staff Department” as a defendant in this 2 action because this defendant was not named in the amended complaint and is therefore no 3 longer a party to this action. 4 2. Defendants are cautioned that Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 5 requires them to cooperate in saving unnecessary costs of service of the summons and the 6 complaint. Pursuant to Rule 4, if Defendants, after being notified of this action and asked 7 by the Court, on behalf of Plaintiff, to waive service of the summons, fail to do so, they 8 will be required to bear the cost of such service unless good cause shown for their failure 9 to sign and return the waiver form. If service is waived, this action will proceed as if 10 Defendants had been served on the date that the waiver is filed, except that pursuant to 11 Rule 12(a)(1)(B), Defendants will not be required to serve and file an answer before sixty 12 (60) days from the day on which the request for waiver was sent. (This allows a longer 13 time to respond than would be required if formal service of summons is necessary.) 14 Defendants are asked to read the statement set forth at the foot of the waiver form that 15 more completely describes the duties of the parties with regard to waiver of service of the 16 summons. If service is waived after the date provided in the Notice but before Defendants 17 have been personally served, the Answer shall be due sixty (60) days from the date on 18 which the request for waiver was sent or twenty (20) days from the date the waiver form is 19 filed, whichever is later. 20 3. No later than ninety-one (91) days from the date this order is filed, 21 Defendants shall file a motion for summary judgment or other dispositive motion with 22 respect to the claims in the complaint found to be cognizable above. 23 a. Any motion for summary judgment shall be supported by adequate 24 factual documentation and shall conform in all respects to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of 25 Civil Procedure. Defendants are advised that summary judgment cannot be granted, nor 26 qualified immunity found, if material facts are in dispute. If any Defendant is of the 1 Court prior to the date the summary judgment motion is due. 2 b. In the event Defendants file a motion for summary judgment, the 3 Ninth Circuit has held that Plaintiff must be concurrently provided the appropriate 4 warnings under Rand v. Rowland, 154 F.3d 952, 963 (9th Cir. 1998) (en banc). See 5 Woods v. Carey, 684 F.3d 934, 940 (9th Cir. 2012). 6 4. Plaintiff’s opposition to the dispositive motion shall be filed with the Court 7 and served on Defendants no later than twenty-eight (28) days from the date Defendants’ 8 motion is filed. 9 Plaintiff is also advised to read Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and 10 Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317 (1986) (holding party opposing summary judgment 11 must come forward with evidence showing triable issues of material fact on every essential 12 element of his claim). Plaintiff is cautioned that failure to file an opposition to 13 Defendants’ motion for summary judgment may be deemed to be a consent by Plaintiff to 14 the granting of the motion, and granting of judgment against Plaintiff without a trial. See 15 Ghazali v. Moran, 46 F.3d 52, 53–54 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam); Brydges v. Lewis, 18 16 F.3d 651, 653 (9th Cir. 1994). 17 5. Defendants shall file a reply brief no later than fourteen (14) days after 18 Plaintiff’s opposition is filed. 19 6. The motion shall be deemed submitted as of the date the reply brief is due. 20 No hearing will be held on the motion unless the Court so orders at a later date. 21 7. All communications by the Plaintiff with the Court must be served on 22 Defendants, or Defendants’ counsel once counsel has been designated, by mailing a true 23 copy of the document to Defendants or Defendants’ counsel. 24 8. Discovery may be taken in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil 25 Procedure. No further court order under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(a)(2) or Local 26 Rule 16-1 is required before the parties may conduct discovery. 1 || court informed of any change of address and must comply with the court’s orders in a 2 || timely fashion. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of this action for failure to 3 || prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). 4 10. Extensions of time must be filed no later than the deadline sought to be 5 || extended and must be accompanied by a showing of good cause. 6 IT IS SO ORDERED. 7 || Dated: _ March 31, 2024 fiihacncen __ BETH LABSON FREEMAN 8 United States District Judge 9 10 11 3 12
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