1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10
11 PHILLIP CHRISTOPHER DISTIN, ) Case No.: 1:20-cv-00860-SAB (PC) ) 12 Plaintiff, ) ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO ) RANDOMLY ASSIGN A DISTRICT JUDGE TO 13 v. ) THIS ACTION
14 U.S. ARMY, et.al., ) FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION ) RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE 15 Defendants. ) TO STATE A COGNIZABLE CLAIM ) 16 ) [ECF No. 1]
17 Plaintiff Phillip Christopher Distin is appearing pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights 18 action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 19 Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s complaint, filed on June 18, 2020. 20 I. 21 SCREENING REQUIREMENT 22 The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a 23 governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court 24 must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally “frivolous 25 or malicious,” that “fail[] to state a claim on which relief may be granted,” or that “seek[] monetary 26 relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B); see also 28 27 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). 28 /// 1 A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is 2 entitled to relief. . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not required, but 3 “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do 4 not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 5 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). Moreover, Plaintiff must demonstrate that each defendant personally participated 6 in the deprivation of Plaintiff’s rights. Jones v. Williams, 297 F.3d 930, 934 (9th Cir. 2002). 7 Prisoners proceeding pro se in civil rights actions are entitled to have their pleadings liberally 8 construed and to have any doubt resolved in their favor. Wilhelm v. Rotman, 680 F.3d 1113, 1121 (9th 9 Cir. 2012) (citations omitted). To survive screening, Plaintiff’s claims must be facially plausible, which 10 requires sufficient factual detail to allow the Court to reasonably infer that each named defendant is 11 liable for the misconduct alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678-79; Moss v. U.S. Secret Service, 572 F.3d 962, 12 969 (9th Cir. 2009). The “sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully” is not sufficient, and 13 “facts that are ‘merely consistent with’ a defendant’s liability” falls short of satisfying the plausibility 14 standard. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; Moss, 572 F.3d at 969. 15 II. 16 SUMMARY OF ALLEGATIONS 17 Plaintiff names the United States Army and California Department of Corrections and 18 Rehabilitation (CDCR) as Defendants. 19 Plaintiff is subject to cruel and unusual punishment by the United States Army because of a 20 “high tec [sic] technology military weapon” that is a top secret weapon which is an electric magnetic 21 military weapon run by computer in the army base station controlled by the captain, lieutenant and 22 sergeant. Plaintiff has been tortured since 2017. 23 CDCR has failed to provide a safe environment. He is in confinement by “laser tag by electric 24 magnetic high tee military weapon that run by computer in the army base station. CDCR has 25 negligently failed to provide assistance and cease the torture. 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// 1 III. 2 DISCUSSION 3 A. United States Army and CDCR as Defendants 4 The United States and its agencies, under the doctrine of sovereign immunity, are immune 5 from suit absent a waiver of immunity. United States v. Mitchell, 463 U.S. 206, 212 (1983). A plaintiff 6 suing the United States and/or one of its agencies must therefore demonstrate a waiver of immunity, 7 see Holloman v. Watt, 708 F.2d 1399, 1401 (9th Cir. 1983). Plaintiff has not made such showing 8 here. Even if plaintiff can bring his claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2671 et 9 seq. (“FTCA”), he must first file his claim with, and receive a denial from, the appropriate agency, i.e. 10 United States Department of Defense, see 28 U.S.C. § 2675. A claim under the FTCA may not be filed 11 in federal court until plaintiff receives a final denial of the claim from the appropriate agency. See 12 Gillespie v. Civilette, 629 F.2d 637, 640 (9th Cir.1980). 13 However, the CDCR is a department of a state agency, and claims against the state and its 14 agencies are barred by the Eleventh Amendment. Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159 (1985) (Eleventh 15 Amendment bars federal damages actions against a state and its entities); Nat’l Audubon Soc’y v. 16 Davis, 307 F.3d 835, 847 (9th Cir. 2002); Lucas v. Dep’t of Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995) 17 (per curiam) (holding that prisoner’s Eighth Amendment claims against CDCR for damages and 18 injunctive relief were barred by Eleventh Amendment immunity); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 19 (9th Cir. 1989) (state department of prisons, as a state agency, is immune from suit under the Eleventh 20 Amendment). 21 B. Cruel and Unusual Punishment 22 A pleading is “factual[ly] frivolous[ ]” when “the facts alleged rise to the level of the irrational 23 or the wholly incredible, whether or not there are judicially noticeable facts available to contradict 24 them.” Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 25–26 (1992). Section 1915 gives courts “the unusual 25 power to pierce the veil” of a complaint such as that filed by the plaintiff and to “dismiss those claims 26 whose factual contentions are clearly baseless.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327 (1989). 27 Clearly baseless factual allegations include those “that are ‘fanciful,’ ‘fantastic,’ and ‘delusional.’ ” 28 Denton, 504 U.S. at 32–33 (quoting Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 325, 327, 328). 1 Plaintiff’s allegation of an electric magnetic military weapon that is run by a computer which 2 “can touch your brain eye[]ball play with you breathing,” is factually irrational and wholly incredible. 3 Plaintiff’s further reference of a professional kidnapping and threats of being killed in Mexico are also 4 factually irrational and incredible. 5 IV.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10
11 PHILLIP CHRISTOPHER DISTIN, ) Case No.: 1:20-cv-00860-SAB (PC) ) 12 Plaintiff, ) ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO ) RANDOMLY ASSIGN A DISTRICT JUDGE TO 13 v. ) THIS ACTION
14 U.S. ARMY, et.al., ) FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION ) RECOMMENDING DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE 15 Defendants. ) TO STATE A COGNIZABLE CLAIM ) 16 ) [ECF No. 1]
17 Plaintiff Phillip Christopher Distin is appearing pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights 18 action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 19 Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s complaint, filed on June 18, 2020. 20 I. 21 SCREENING REQUIREMENT 22 The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a 23 governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court 24 must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally “frivolous 25 or malicious,” that “fail[] to state a claim on which relief may be granted,” or that “seek[] monetary 26 relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B); see also 28 27 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). 28 /// 1 A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is 2 entitled to relief. . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not required, but 3 “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do 4 not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 5 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). Moreover, Plaintiff must demonstrate that each defendant personally participated 6 in the deprivation of Plaintiff’s rights. Jones v. Williams, 297 F.3d 930, 934 (9th Cir. 2002). 7 Prisoners proceeding pro se in civil rights actions are entitled to have their pleadings liberally 8 construed and to have any doubt resolved in their favor. Wilhelm v. Rotman, 680 F.3d 1113, 1121 (9th 9 Cir. 2012) (citations omitted). To survive screening, Plaintiff’s claims must be facially plausible, which 10 requires sufficient factual detail to allow the Court to reasonably infer that each named defendant is 11 liable for the misconduct alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678-79; Moss v. U.S. Secret Service, 572 F.3d 962, 12 969 (9th Cir. 2009). The “sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully” is not sufficient, and 13 “facts that are ‘merely consistent with’ a defendant’s liability” falls short of satisfying the plausibility 14 standard. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; Moss, 572 F.3d at 969. 15 II. 16 SUMMARY OF ALLEGATIONS 17 Plaintiff names the United States Army and California Department of Corrections and 18 Rehabilitation (CDCR) as Defendants. 19 Plaintiff is subject to cruel and unusual punishment by the United States Army because of a 20 “high tec [sic] technology military weapon” that is a top secret weapon which is an electric magnetic 21 military weapon run by computer in the army base station controlled by the captain, lieutenant and 22 sergeant. Plaintiff has been tortured since 2017. 23 CDCR has failed to provide a safe environment. He is in confinement by “laser tag by electric 24 magnetic high tee military weapon that run by computer in the army base station. CDCR has 25 negligently failed to provide assistance and cease the torture. 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// 1 III. 2 DISCUSSION 3 A. United States Army and CDCR as Defendants 4 The United States and its agencies, under the doctrine of sovereign immunity, are immune 5 from suit absent a waiver of immunity. United States v. Mitchell, 463 U.S. 206, 212 (1983). A plaintiff 6 suing the United States and/or one of its agencies must therefore demonstrate a waiver of immunity, 7 see Holloman v. Watt, 708 F.2d 1399, 1401 (9th Cir. 1983). Plaintiff has not made such showing 8 here. Even if plaintiff can bring his claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2671 et 9 seq. (“FTCA”), he must first file his claim with, and receive a denial from, the appropriate agency, i.e. 10 United States Department of Defense, see 28 U.S.C. § 2675. A claim under the FTCA may not be filed 11 in federal court until plaintiff receives a final denial of the claim from the appropriate agency. See 12 Gillespie v. Civilette, 629 F.2d 637, 640 (9th Cir.1980). 13 However, the CDCR is a department of a state agency, and claims against the state and its 14 agencies are barred by the Eleventh Amendment. Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159 (1985) (Eleventh 15 Amendment bars federal damages actions against a state and its entities); Nat’l Audubon Soc’y v. 16 Davis, 307 F.3d 835, 847 (9th Cir. 2002); Lucas v. Dep’t of Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995) 17 (per curiam) (holding that prisoner’s Eighth Amendment claims against CDCR for damages and 18 injunctive relief were barred by Eleventh Amendment immunity); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 19 (9th Cir. 1989) (state department of prisons, as a state agency, is immune from suit under the Eleventh 20 Amendment). 21 B. Cruel and Unusual Punishment 22 A pleading is “factual[ly] frivolous[ ]” when “the facts alleged rise to the level of the irrational 23 or the wholly incredible, whether or not there are judicially noticeable facts available to contradict 24 them.” Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 25–26 (1992). Section 1915 gives courts “the unusual 25 power to pierce the veil” of a complaint such as that filed by the plaintiff and to “dismiss those claims 26 whose factual contentions are clearly baseless.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327 (1989). 27 Clearly baseless factual allegations include those “that are ‘fanciful,’ ‘fantastic,’ and ‘delusional.’ ” 28 Denton, 504 U.S. at 32–33 (quoting Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 325, 327, 328). 1 Plaintiff’s allegation of an electric magnetic military weapon that is run by a computer which 2 “can touch your brain eye[]ball play with you breathing,” is factually irrational and wholly incredible. 3 Plaintiff’s further reference of a professional kidnapping and threats of being killed in Mexico are also 4 factually irrational and incredible. 5 IV. 6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 7 Plaintiff’s complaint contains factual allegations that are grounded in delusion, fanciful and 8 irrational and wholly incredible. The Court therefore finds Plaintiff’s allegations to be clearly baseless 9 and frivolous. In this instance, no amendment could cure these deficiencies. Nunes v. Ashcroft, 375 10 F.3d 805, 808 (9th Cir. 2004) (district court should grant leave to amend even if no request was made, 11 unless the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of other facts). Accordingly, leave to 12 amend would be futile and this action should be dismissed without leave to amend. See Ebner v. 13 Fresh, Inc., 838 F.3d 958, 968 (9th Cir. 2016) (liberality of amendment does not apply when 14 amendment would be futile). 15 Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is directed to randomly assign 16 a District Judge to this action. 17 Further, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that Plaintiff’s complaint be dismissed, without 18 leave to amend, as frivolous pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). 19 This Findings and Recommendation will be submitted to the United States District Judge 20 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within twenty-one (21) 21 days after being served with this Findings and Recommendation, Plaintiff may file written objections 22 with the Court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and 23 Recommendation.” Plaintiff is advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may 24 /// 25 /// 26 /// 27 result in the waiver of rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 838-39 (9th Cir. 2014) 28 (citing Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)). WAS LOU YUUOVUU OAR RYVUPIOCTI te PIR VEIT OY VI
1 2, IT IS SO ORDERED. ot fe 3 Dated: _ June 30, 2020 OF 4 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28