(PC) Mitchell v. Diaz

Opinion

JOHN E. MITCHELL, ) Case No.: 1:22-cv-00006 JLT EPG (PC) ) Plaintiff, ) ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND ) RECOMMENDATIONS, GRANTING v. ) DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS, AND ) DISMISSING THE OFFICIAL CAPACITY CLAIM ) Defendant. ) (Docs. 38, 44) ) )

John Mitchell is a state prisoner who asserts that his civil rights were violated by correctional officer Rodriguez, who Mitchell contends deprived him of a silver chain and medallion without a legitimate penological purpose. (See Docs. 24, 29.) Rodriguez seeks dismissal of “Plaintiff’s claims for damages against [Rodriguez] in his official capacity” as barred under the Eleventh Amendment. (Doc. 48.) Mitchell indicated he “agree[d] to … dismiss the claim against the defendant as to the Eleventh Amendment.” (Doc. 43 at 1.) On February 7, 2023, the magistrate judge observed that the Eleventh Amendment bars suits for “damages or injunctive relief against a state, an arm of the state, its instrumentalities, or its agencies.” (Doc. 44 at 2, quoting Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. v. City of Lodi, Cal., 302 F.3d 928, 957 n. 28 (9th Cir. 2002).) Therefore, the magistrate judge found Mitchell could not proceed with claim against Rodriguez in his official capacity. (Id.) The magistrate judge recommended the unopposed motion to dismiss be granted and the matter proceed against Rodriguez in his individual capacity only. (Id.) The Court served the Findings and Recommendations on all parties. It notified them that || objections, if any, were to be filed within 14 days of the date of service. (Doc. 44 at 2.) In addition, | Court advised the parties “that failure to file objections within the specified time may result in the waiver of rights on appeal.” (/d. at 3, citing Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 838-39 (9th Cir. 2014); Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991).) The parties did not file objections, a the time to do so has expired. According to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Local Rule 304, this Court conducted a de novo review of this case. Having carefully reviewed the entire matter, the Court concludes the Findings an Recommendations are supported by the record and proper analysis. Thus, the Court ORDERS: 1. The Findings and Recommendations issued on February 7, 2023 (Doc. 44) are ADOPTED in full. 2. Defendant Rodriguez’s motion to dismiss (Doc. 38) is GRANTED. 3. Plaintiff's official capacity claim against Rodriguez for damages is DISMISSED. 4. This case shall proceed on Plaintiff's First Amendment Free Exercise claim against defendant Rodriguez in his individual capacity. 5. Defendant Rodriguez SHALL file an answer within 14 days of the date of service of this order. Dated: _ March 15, 2023 ( LAW pA L. wan TED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE