(PC) Farmer v. Clark

District Court, E.D. California·Decided September 28, 2020·No. 1:20-cv-00866·Unknown

Opinion

DIDONTAE QUIONE FARMER, ) Case No.: 1:20-cv-00866-SAB (PC) ) Plaintiff, ) ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO ) RANDOMLY ASSIGN A DISTRICT JUDGE TO v. ) THIS ACTION

KEN CLARK, et.al., ) FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ) RECOMMENDING THE ACTION BE Defendants. ) DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO PROSECUTE, ) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ) ORDER, AND FAILURE TO STATE A ) COGNIZABLE CLAIM FOR RELIEF ) ) (ECF Nos. 1, 6, 7) ) ) ) )

Plaintiff Didontae Quione Farmer is appearing pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This matter was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302. Plaintiff’s complaint in this action was filed on June 23, 2020. (ECF No. 1.) On July 20, 2020, the Court screened Plaintiff’s complaint, found no cognizable claims, and granted Plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint within thirty days. (ECF No. 6.) However, Plaintiff did not file an amended complaint or otherwise respond to the Court’s order. Therefore, on September 1, 2020, the Court directed Plaintiff to show cause within fourteen days why the action should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute, failure to comply with a court order, and failure to state a cognizable claim for relief. (ECF No. 7.) Plaintiff has not responded to the Court’s order to show cause and the time to do so has expired. Accordingly, dismissal of the action is warranted. I. The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally “frivolous or malicious,” that “fail[] to state a claim on which relief may be granted,” or that “seek[] monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief. . ..” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). Moreover, Plaintiff must demonstrate that each defendant personally participated in the deprivation of Plaintiff’s rights. Jones v. Williams, 297 F.3d 930, 934 (9th Cir. 2002). Prisoners proceeding pro se in civil rights actions are entitled to have their pleadings liberally construed and to have any doubt resolved in their favor. Wilhelm v. Rotman, 680 F.3d 1113, 1121 (9th Cir. 2012) (citations omitted). To survive screening, Plaintiff’s claims must be facially plausible, which requires sufficient factual detail to allow the Court to reasonably infer that each named defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678-79; Moss v. U.S. Secret Service, 572 F.3d 962, 969 (9th Cir. 2009). The “sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully” is not sufficient, and “facts that are ‘merely consistent with’ a defendant’s liability” falls short of satisfying the plausibility standard. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678; Moss, 572 F.3d at 969. II. The Court accepts Plaintiff’s allegations in the complaint as true only for the purpose of the sua sponte screening requirement under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. On October 14, 2019, while housed at California State Prison-Corcoran 3C yard, Plaintiff entered the dining area where he was employed as a cook. Before entering the dining area, Defendants Wilson, Cooper, Stokes, Rodriguez and Wright huddled together near the furthest exit/entrance. After Plaintiff entered the dining hall and was present for no more than ten minutes, Defendants Yocum, Rodriguez and Wright entered and approached Plaintiff who was stationed at the culinary serving line, and without any cause ordered Plaintiff to leave stating that Defendant Wilson wanted to speak with Plaintiff. After existing the dining hall, the Defendants were once again gathered and huddled in a group. Plaintiff asked Defendant Wilson, “why he needed him” and Wilson responded “Leave! go back to your house” referring to Plaintiff’s cell. Plaintiff was confused and did not understand why Defendant Wilson would order Defendants Yocum, Wright and Rodriguez to remove the Plaintiff from his job and ordered to go back to his cell. Plaintiff asked Defendant Wilson, “why I don’t understand what for,” at which Wilson stepped forward, with Defendants Rodriguez, Yocum, Cooper, Wright and Stokes now forming a circle around the Plaintiff in a show of unity to Defendant Wilson. Defendant Wilson stated, “are you fucking slow? I’m not going to repeat myself, take him back to his cell.” Defendants Stokes, Rodriguez and Wright began to escort Plaintiff back to his assigned cell. Plaintiff noticed Defendant Wilson approaching with clenched fists, at which point Plaintiff stopped walking to plead with Defendants as to why he was being targeted. Plaintiff asked Defendant Wilson, “what” as if there was a problem to which Wilson responded “Your mother.” In a state of disbelief, Plaintiff responded, “what really my mother?” Wilson then ordered Defendants to take Plaintiff to his cell and the control booth officer was instructed to not allow Plaintiff out of his cell to program or eat. On October 15, 2019, Plaintiff was inside the chapel to conduct Islamic/Muslim worship. Plaintiff was issued a ducat the previous day notifying him of the time available to go to the chapel. While in the chapel, Defendant Wilson entered with Defendant Cooper and directed Plaintiff to leave stating he was not able to be in there. Plaintiff knew he had the right to be in the chapel, and Defendant Wilson was deliberately interfering with his right to practice his religion. Defendant Wilson continued to tell Plaintiff to “get out or I’ll have you taken out.” Plaintiff was asked to produce a ducat which he did not have or need to gain access to the chapel facility. While being escorted out of the chapel by Defendant Cooper, Plaintiff asked why he was denied religious services when he had done nothing wrong. Cooper simply responded that he was just doing what his boss, Defendant Wilson, instructed him to do. Plaintiff later returned to the chapel with a copy of his ducat. However, Defendant Wilson re-entered the chapel and attempted to threaten Plaintiff. Plaintiff asked Wilson if he would leave him alone. Defendant Wilson told Plaintiff, “get out!” at which point Plaintiff stated “no.” Defendant Wilson stepped about four inches away from Plaintiff’s face while clutching his canister of pepper spray stating, “see that’s why your ass is looking at an extra 8 years.” Plaintiff gathered his belongings and left the chapel. On this same date, October 15, 2019, Plaintiff filed a staff complaint regarding Defendant Wilson’s conduct. Defendant Brown was assigned to review the complaint. Defendant Brown called Plaintiff to the telephone and stated he was wanted at the 3C yard program office. When Plaintiff approached the program office, he noticed Defendant Brown out front speaking with other officers. Defendant Brown asked Plaintiff to sign the compla

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