1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 DENNIS PETILLO, JR., No. 2:21-cv-01996-CKD P 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. ORDER 14 HELEN MONIQUE, et al., 15 Defendants. 16 17 Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and seeking relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 18 1983. This proceeding was referred to this court by Local Rule 302 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 19 636(b)(1) and plaintiff has consented to have all matters in this action before a United States 20 Magistrate Judge. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). 21 Plaintiff requests leave to proceed in forma pauperis. As plaintiff has submitted a 22 declaration that makes the showing required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), his request will be granted. 23 Plaintiff is required to pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00 for this action. 28 U.S.C. §§ 24 1914(a), 1915(b)(1). By separate order, the court will direct the appropriate agency to collect the 25 initial partial filing fee from plaintiff’s trust account and forward it to the Clerk of the Court. 26 Thereafter, plaintiff will be obligated for monthly payments of twenty percent of the preceding 27 month’s income credited to plaintiff’s prison trust account. These payments will be forwarded by 28 ///// 1 the appropriate agency to the Clerk of the Court each time the amount in plaintiff’s account 2 exceeds $10.00, until the filing fee is paid in full. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). 3 I. Screening Requirement 4 The court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a 5 governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The 6 court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally 7 “frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek 8 monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). 9 A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact. 10 Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th 11 Cir. 1984). The court may, therefore, dismiss a claim as frivolous where it is based on an 12 indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke, 13 490 U.S. at 327. The critical inquiry is whether a constitutional claim, however inartfully 14 pleaded, has an arguable legal and factual basis. See Jackson v. Arizona, 885 F.2d 639, 640 (9th 15 Cir. 1989); Franklin, 745 F.2d at 1227. 16 In order to avoid dismissal for failure to state a claim a complaint must contain more than 17 “naked assertions,” “labels and conclusions” or “a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause 18 of action.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-557 (2007). In other words, 19 “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory 20 statements do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). Furthermore, a claim 21 upon which the court can grant relief has facial plausibility. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “A 22 claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw 23 the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. 24 at 678. When considering whether a complaint states a claim upon which relief can be granted, 25 the court must accept the allegations as true, Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 93-94 (2007), and 26 construe the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, see Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 27 U.S. 232, 236 (1974). 28 ///// 1 II. Allegations in the Complaint 2 Although plaintiff is confined at the California Medical Facility, the allegations in the 3 complaint occurred at California State Prison-Sacramento. Plaintiff alleges that he is being 4 subjected to mind control due to defendants’ use of witchcraft 24 hours a day since 2010. While 5 plaintiff identifies numerous individuals by name, he does not describe where or by whom these 6 individuals are employed. Therefore, it is unclear to the court whether plaintiff is attempting to 7 sue private individuals or state actors. By way of relief, plaintiff requests an investigation by the 8 FBI, CIA, and the U.S. military as well as compensatory damages. 9 III. Legal Standards 10 A. State Actor Requirement 11 A plaintiff may bring an action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to redress violations of his “rights, 12 privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and [federal] laws” by a person or entity, 13 including a municipality, acting under the color of state law. 42 U.S.C. § 1983; Monell v. Dep't 14 of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 690-95 (1978); Awabdy v. City of Adelanto, 368 F.3d 1062, 1066 15 (9th Cir. 2004). To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must show (1) the defendant 16 committed the alleged conduct while acting under color of state law; and (2) the plaintiff was 17 deprived of a constitutional right as a result of the defendant's conduct. Balistreri v. Pacifica 18 Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). Thus, by definition, claims under section 1983 19 must involve a state actor acting under color of state law. 20 B. Linkage Requirement 21 The civil rights statute requires that there be an actual connection or link between the 22 actions of the defendants and the deprivation alleged to have been suffered by plaintiff. See 23 Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658 (1978); Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 24 (1976).
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 DENNIS PETILLO, JR., No. 2:21-cv-01996-CKD P 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. ORDER 14 HELEN MONIQUE, et al., 15 Defendants. 16 17 Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and seeking relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 18 1983. This proceeding was referred to this court by Local Rule 302 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 19 636(b)(1) and plaintiff has consented to have all matters in this action before a United States 20 Magistrate Judge. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). 21 Plaintiff requests leave to proceed in forma pauperis. As plaintiff has submitted a 22 declaration that makes the showing required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), his request will be granted. 23 Plaintiff is required to pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00 for this action. 28 U.S.C. §§ 24 1914(a), 1915(b)(1). By separate order, the court will direct the appropriate agency to collect the 25 initial partial filing fee from plaintiff’s trust account and forward it to the Clerk of the Court. 26 Thereafter, plaintiff will be obligated for monthly payments of twenty percent of the preceding 27 month’s income credited to plaintiff’s prison trust account. These payments will be forwarded by 28 ///// 1 the appropriate agency to the Clerk of the Court each time the amount in plaintiff’s account 2 exceeds $10.00, until the filing fee is paid in full. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). 3 I. Screening Requirement 4 The court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a 5 governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The 6 court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally 7 “frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek 8 monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). 9 A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact. 10 Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th 11 Cir. 1984). The court may, therefore, dismiss a claim as frivolous where it is based on an 12 indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke, 13 490 U.S. at 327. The critical inquiry is whether a constitutional claim, however inartfully 14 pleaded, has an arguable legal and factual basis. See Jackson v. Arizona, 885 F.2d 639, 640 (9th 15 Cir. 1989); Franklin, 745 F.2d at 1227. 16 In order to avoid dismissal for failure to state a claim a complaint must contain more than 17 “naked assertions,” “labels and conclusions” or “a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause 18 of action.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-557 (2007). In other words, 19 “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory 20 statements do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). Furthermore, a claim 21 upon which the court can grant relief has facial plausibility. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “A 22 claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw 23 the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. 24 at 678. When considering whether a complaint states a claim upon which relief can be granted, 25 the court must accept the allegations as true, Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 93-94 (2007), and 26 construe the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, see Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 27 U.S. 232, 236 (1974). 28 ///// 1 II. Allegations in the Complaint 2 Although plaintiff is confined at the California Medical Facility, the allegations in the 3 complaint occurred at California State Prison-Sacramento. Plaintiff alleges that he is being 4 subjected to mind control due to defendants’ use of witchcraft 24 hours a day since 2010. While 5 plaintiff identifies numerous individuals by name, he does not describe where or by whom these 6 individuals are employed. Therefore, it is unclear to the court whether plaintiff is attempting to 7 sue private individuals or state actors. By way of relief, plaintiff requests an investigation by the 8 FBI, CIA, and the U.S. military as well as compensatory damages. 9 III. Legal Standards 10 A. State Actor Requirement 11 A plaintiff may bring an action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to redress violations of his “rights, 12 privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and [federal] laws” by a person or entity, 13 including a municipality, acting under the color of state law. 42 U.S.C. § 1983; Monell v. Dep't 14 of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 690-95 (1978); Awabdy v. City of Adelanto, 368 F.3d 1062, 1066 15 (9th Cir. 2004). To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must show (1) the defendant 16 committed the alleged conduct while acting under color of state law; and (2) the plaintiff was 17 deprived of a constitutional right as a result of the defendant's conduct. Balistreri v. Pacifica 18 Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). Thus, by definition, claims under section 1983 19 must involve a state actor acting under color of state law. 20 B. Linkage Requirement 21 The civil rights statute requires that there be an actual connection or link between the 22 actions of the defendants and the deprivation alleged to have been suffered by plaintiff. See 23 Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658 (1978); Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 24 (1976). The Ninth Circuit has held that “[a] person ‘subjects' another to the deprivation of a 25 constitutional right, within the meaning of section 1983, if he does an affirmative act, participates 26 in another's affirmative acts or omits to perform an act which he is legally required to do that 27 causes the deprivation of which complaint is made.” Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th 28 Cir. 1978) (citation omitted). In order to state a claim for relief under section 1983, plaintiff must 1 link each named defendant with some affirmative act or omission that demonstrates a violation of 2 plaintiff's federal rights. 3 C. Deliberate Indifference to a Serious Medical Need 4 Denial or delay of medical care for a prisoner’s serious medical needs may constitute a 5 violation of the prisoner’s Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 6 97, 104-05 (1976). An individual is liable for such a violation only when the individual is 7 deliberately indifferent to a prisoner’s serious medical needs. Id.; see Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 8 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006); Hallett v. Morgan, 296 F.3d 732, 744 (9th Cir. 2002); Lopez v. 9 Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1131-32 (9th Cir. 2000). 10 In the Ninth Circuit, the test for deliberate indifference consists of two parts. Jett, 439 11 F.3d at 1096, citing McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050 (9th Cir. 1991), overruled on other 12 grounds by WMX Techs., Inc. v. Miller, 104 F.3d 1133 (9th Cir. 1997) (en banc). First, the 13 plaintiff must show a “serious medical need” by demonstrating that “failure to treat a prisoner’s 14 condition could result in further significant injury or the ‘unnecessary and wanton infliction of 15 pain.’” Id., citing Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104. “Examples of serious medical needs include ‘[t]he 16 existence of an injury that a reasonable doctor or patient would find important and worthy of 17 comment or treatment; the presence of a medical condition that significantly affects an 18 individual’s daily activities; or the existence of chronic and substantial pain.’” Lopez, 203 F. 3d 19 at 1131-1132, citing McGuckin, 974 F.2d at 1059-60. 20 Second, the plaintiff must show the defendant’s response to the need was deliberately 21 indifferent. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. This second prong is satisfied by showing (a) a purposeful act 22 or failure to respond to a prisoner’s pain or possible medical need and (b) harm caused by the 23 indifference. Id. Under this standard, the prison official must not only “be aware of facts from 24 which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists,” but that person 25 “must also draw the inference.” Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837 (1994). This “subjective 26 approach” focuses only “on what a defendant’s mental attitude actually was.” Id. at 839. A 27 showing of merely negligent medical care is not enough to establish a constitutional violation. 28 Frost v. Agnos, 152 F.3d 1124, 1130 (9th Cir. 1998), citing Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105-106. A 1 difference of opinion about the proper course of treatment is not deliberate indifference, nor does 2 a dispute between a prisoner and prison officials over the necessity for or extent of medical 3 treatment amount to a constitutional violation. See, e.g., Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1058 4 (9th Cir. 2004); Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989). Furthermore, mere delay of 5 medical treatment, “without more, is insufficient to state a claim of deliberate medical 6 indifference.” Shapley v. Nev. Bd. of State Prison Comm’rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407 (9th Cir. 1985). 7 Where a prisoner alleges that delay of medical treatment evinces deliberate indifference, the 8 prisoner must show that the delay caused “significant harm and that Defendants should have 9 known this to be the case.” Hallett, 296 F.3d at 745-46; see McGuckin, 974 F.2d at 1060. 10 The deliberate indifference standard of Estelle also applies in cases involving the 11 adequacy of mental health care in prisons. Doty v. County of Lassen, 37 F.2d 540, 546 (9th Cir. 12 1994); Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d 1237, 1253 (9th Cir. 1982). To establish unconstitutional 13 treatment of a mental health condition, “a prisoner must show deliberate indifference to a 14 ‘serious’ medical need.” Doty at 546 (quoting McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050, 1059 (9th Cir. 15 1991)). A medical need is “serious if the failure to treat a prisoner’s condition could result in 16 further significant injury or the ‘unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.’” Doty at 546 17 (quoting McGuckin at 1059). The “‘routine discomfort’ that results from incarceration” is not a 18 serious medical need. Id. 19 IV. Analysis 20 The court finds the allegations in plaintiff’s complaint so vague and conclusory that it fails 21 to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Although the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 22 adopt a flexible pleading policy, a complaint must give fair notice and state the elements of the 23 claim plainly and succinctly. Jones v. Community Redev. Agency, 733 F.2d 646, 649 (9th Cir. 24 1984). Plaintiff must allege with at least some degree of particularity overt acts which defendants 25 engaged in that support plaintiff’s claim. Id. For all these reasons, plaintiff’s complaint must be 26 dismissed. The court will, however, grant leave to file an amended complaint. 27 If plaintiff chooses to amend the complaint, plaintiff must demonstrate how the conditions 28 complained of have resulted in a deprivation of plaintiff’s constitutional rights. See Ellis v. 1 Cassidy, 625 F.2d 227 (9th Cir. 1980). Also, in his amended complaint, plaintiff must allege in 2 specific terms how each named defendant is involved. There can be no liability under 42 U.S.C. 3 § 1983 unless there is some affirmative link or connection between a defendant’s actions and the 4 claimed deprivation. Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 (1976). Furthermore, vague and conclusory 5 allegations of official participation in civil rights violations are not sufficient. Ivey v. Board of 6 Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). 7 Finally, plaintiff is informed that the court cannot refer to a prior pleading in order to 8 make plaintiff’s amended complaint complete. Local Rule 220 requires that an amended 9 complaint be complete in itself without reference to any prior pleading. This is because, as a 10 general rule, an amended complaint supersedes the original complaint. See Loux v. Rhay, 375 11 F.2d 55, 57 (9th Cir. 1967). Once plaintiff files an amended complaint, the original pleading no 12 longer serves any function in the case. Therefore, in an amended complaint, as in an original 13 complaint, each claim and the involvement of each defendant must be sufficiently alleged. 14 V. Plain Language Summary for Pro Se Party 15 The following information is meant to explain this order in plain English and is not 16 intended as legal advice. 17 The court has reviewed the allegations in your complaint and determined that they do not 18 state any claim against the defendants. Your complaint is being dismissed, but you are being 19 given the chance to fix the problems identified in this screening order. 20 Although you are not required to do so, you may file an amended complaint within 30 21 days from the date of this order. If you choose to file an amended complaint, pay particular 22 attention to the legal standards identified in this order which may apply to your claims. 23 In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 24 1. Plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is granted. 25 2. Plaintiff is obligated to pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00 for this action. All fees 26 shall be collected and paid in accordance with this court’s order to the Director of the California 27 Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation filed concurrently herewith. 28 3. Plaintiff’s complaint is dismissed. ] 4. Plaintiff □□ granted thirty days from the date of service of this order to file an amended 2 || complaint that complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, the Federal Rules of Civil 3 || Procedure, and the Local Rules of Practice. The amended complaint must bear the docket 4 || number assigned this case and must be labeled “Amended Complaint.” Failure to file an 5 || amended complaint in accordance with this order will result in a recommendation that this action 6 || be dismissed. 7 | Dated: January 25, 2022 / a8 } i | / p , a ce CAROLYNK. DELANEY 9 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 10 1] 12 13 14 15 12/petil1996.14.docx 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28