1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 ROSALYN ANGELA WINDHAM EL, No. 2:25-cv-1500-DJC-CKD PS 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. ORDER 14 JUAN RENJIE, et. al., 15 Defendants. 16
17 18 This action was referred to the undersigned pursuant to Local Rule 302(c)(21). See 28 19 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Plaintiff filed an application in support of her request to proceed in forma 20 pauperis. (ECF No. 2.) Plaintiff’s application makes the showing required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915, 21 however the application is not signed by the plaintiff. See Local Rule 131(b). Accordingly, 22 plaintiff’s application is denied without prejudice subject to refiling with plaintiff’s signature. 23 Plaintiff’s pro se complaint filed on May 29, 2025, is now before the Court for screening. (ECF 24 No. 1.) 25 I. Screening Requirement 26 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e), the court must screen every in forma pauperis 27 proceeding, and must order dismissal of the case if it is “frivolous or malicious,” “fails to state a 28 claim on which relief may be granted,” or “seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is 1 immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B); Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126-27 2 (9th Cir. 2000). A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in 3 fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989). In reviewing a complaint under this 4 standard, the court accepts as true the factual allegations contained in the complaint, unless they 5 are clearly baseless or fanciful, and construes those allegations in the light most favorable to the 6 plaintiff. See id. at 327; Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena, 592 F.3d 954, 7 960 (9th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, 564 U.S. 1037 (2011). 8 Pro se pleadings are held to a less stringent standard than those drafted by lawyers. Haines 9 v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). However, the court need not accept as true conclusory 10 allegations, unreasonable inferences, or unwarranted deductions of fact. Western Mining Council 11 v. Watt, 643 F.2d 618, 624 (9th Cir. 1981). A formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of 12 action does not suffice to state a claim. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-57 13 (2007); Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). 14 To state a claim on which relief may be granted, the plaintiff must allege enough facts “to 15 state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “A claim has facial 16 plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable 17 inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. A pro se 18 litigant is entitled to notice of the deficiencies in the complaint and an opportunity to amend 19 unless the complaint’s deficiencies could not be cured by amendment. See Noll v. Carlson, 809 20 F.2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir. 1987), superseded on other grounds by statute as stated in Lopez, 203 21 F.3d 1122 (en banc). 22 II. Allegations in the Complaint 23 Plaintiff’s claims are unclear and difficult to follow. It appears that plaintiff is seeking 24 “equitable ejectment” of “all squatter persons, principle, agents, heirs, and assign” named on a 25 grant deed from a parcel of land in Davis, California. (ECF No. 1 at 8.) Plaintiff lists defendants 26 Juan Renjie and Liu Yuying in her complaint. (Id. at 3-4.) Plaintiff lists Article I, Section 10, 27 Clause 1 of the United States Constitution as her basis for federal question jurisdiction. (Id. at 3.) 28 Plaintiff states that she a “Moorish American National” and is the “ancient heir to and on the 1 land.” (Id. at 8.) Plaintiff states that “we the people, recognize the homeless crisis as an extreme 2 manmade disaster.” (Id.) She states that “[w]e are exercising Our Authority through our Fee 3 Simple Absolute for The State of Emergency to identify vacant and underused domiciles which 4 may need clean up or heavy remodel for a one time permanent placement for the low income and 5 underserved nationals and residents.” (Id.) Plaintiff also alleges that “Moorish Americans 6 ‘Blacks,’ or ‘African-Americans,’ are the primary beneficiary of an extremely extensive fee 7 simple estate” which was conveyed by the trustor, “Prophet Nobel Drew Ali.” (Id. at 13.) Plaintiff 8 alleges that the “land, or fee simple estate” was conveyed to “us in the private express trust” and 9 that the “deed of conveyance . . . comprises the entire continental United States”, and she is the 10 “duly appointed trustee.” (Id. at 14.) 11 III. Discussion 12 A. Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction 13 Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Insurance Co. 14 Of America, 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994). A federal district court generally has original jurisdiction 15 over a civil action when: (1) a federal question is presented in an action “arising under the 16 Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States” or (2) there is complete diversity of 17 citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332(a). 18 The presumption is against jurisdiction and “the burden of establishing the contrary rests 19 upon the party asserting jurisdiction.” Vacek v. U.S. Postal Serv., 447 F.3d 1248, 1250 (9th Cir. 20 2006) (citing Kokkonen, 511 U.S. at 377). “If the court determines at any time that it lacks 21 subject-matter jurisdiction, the court must dismiss the action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3); see 22 Franklin v. State of Or., State Welfare Div., 662 F.2d 1337, 1342 (9th Cir. 1981) (court may 23 dismiss an action sua sponte for lack of jurisdiction). 24 Plaintiff has not established the Court’s subject matter jurisdiction. (See ECF No. 1.) The 25 only federal law plaintiff lists in the complaint is a reference to Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 of 26 the United States Constitution and Public Law 97-280. (Id. at 3, 8.) However, the complaint does 27 not adequately present any federal question. Plaintiff does not describe how either of these laws 28 relate to her complaint or provide facts demonstrating that her claims are valid under federal law. 1 Plaintiff’s main allegations seem to relate to ejectment from a parcel of land, but she has not 2 described how these allegations violate federal law. 3 Further, the complaint does not allege that there is diversity of citizenship between the 4 parties where plaintiff lists both defendants as having an address in Davis, California. (ECF No. 1 5 at 2.) Therefore, the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction. 6 B.
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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 ROSALYN ANGELA WINDHAM EL, No. 2:25-cv-1500-DJC-CKD PS 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. ORDER 14 JUAN RENJIE, et. al., 15 Defendants. 16
17 18 This action was referred to the undersigned pursuant to Local Rule 302(c)(21). See 28 19 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Plaintiff filed an application in support of her request to proceed in forma 20 pauperis. (ECF No. 2.) Plaintiff’s application makes the showing required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915, 21 however the application is not signed by the plaintiff. See Local Rule 131(b). Accordingly, 22 plaintiff’s application is denied without prejudice subject to refiling with plaintiff’s signature. 23 Plaintiff’s pro se complaint filed on May 29, 2025, is now before the Court for screening. (ECF 24 No. 1.) 25 I. Screening Requirement 26 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e), the court must screen every in forma pauperis 27 proceeding, and must order dismissal of the case if it is “frivolous or malicious,” “fails to state a 28 claim on which relief may be granted,” or “seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is 1 immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B); Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126-27 2 (9th Cir. 2000). A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in 3 fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989). In reviewing a complaint under this 4 standard, the court accepts as true the factual allegations contained in the complaint, unless they 5 are clearly baseless or fanciful, and construes those allegations in the light most favorable to the 6 plaintiff. See id. at 327; Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena, 592 F.3d 954, 7 960 (9th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, 564 U.S. 1037 (2011). 8 Pro se pleadings are held to a less stringent standard than those drafted by lawyers. Haines 9 v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). However, the court need not accept as true conclusory 10 allegations, unreasonable inferences, or unwarranted deductions of fact. Western Mining Council 11 v. Watt, 643 F.2d 618, 624 (9th Cir. 1981). A formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of 12 action does not suffice to state a claim. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-57 13 (2007); Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). 14 To state a claim on which relief may be granted, the plaintiff must allege enough facts “to 15 state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “A claim has facial 16 plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable 17 inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. A pro se 18 litigant is entitled to notice of the deficiencies in the complaint and an opportunity to amend 19 unless the complaint’s deficiencies could not be cured by amendment. See Noll v. Carlson, 809 20 F.2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir. 1987), superseded on other grounds by statute as stated in Lopez, 203 21 F.3d 1122 (en banc). 22 II. Allegations in the Complaint 23 Plaintiff’s claims are unclear and difficult to follow. It appears that plaintiff is seeking 24 “equitable ejectment” of “all squatter persons, principle, agents, heirs, and assign” named on a 25 grant deed from a parcel of land in Davis, California. (ECF No. 1 at 8.) Plaintiff lists defendants 26 Juan Renjie and Liu Yuying in her complaint. (Id. at 3-4.) Plaintiff lists Article I, Section 10, 27 Clause 1 of the United States Constitution as her basis for federal question jurisdiction. (Id. at 3.) 28 Plaintiff states that she a “Moorish American National” and is the “ancient heir to and on the 1 land.” (Id. at 8.) Plaintiff states that “we the people, recognize the homeless crisis as an extreme 2 manmade disaster.” (Id.) She states that “[w]e are exercising Our Authority through our Fee 3 Simple Absolute for The State of Emergency to identify vacant and underused domiciles which 4 may need clean up or heavy remodel for a one time permanent placement for the low income and 5 underserved nationals and residents.” (Id.) Plaintiff also alleges that “Moorish Americans 6 ‘Blacks,’ or ‘African-Americans,’ are the primary beneficiary of an extremely extensive fee 7 simple estate” which was conveyed by the trustor, “Prophet Nobel Drew Ali.” (Id. at 13.) Plaintiff 8 alleges that the “land, or fee simple estate” was conveyed to “us in the private express trust” and 9 that the “deed of conveyance . . . comprises the entire continental United States”, and she is the 10 “duly appointed trustee.” (Id. at 14.) 11 III. Discussion 12 A. Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction 13 Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Insurance Co. 14 Of America, 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994). A federal district court generally has original jurisdiction 15 over a civil action when: (1) a federal question is presented in an action “arising under the 16 Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States” or (2) there is complete diversity of 17 citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332(a). 18 The presumption is against jurisdiction and “the burden of establishing the contrary rests 19 upon the party asserting jurisdiction.” Vacek v. U.S. Postal Serv., 447 F.3d 1248, 1250 (9th Cir. 20 2006) (citing Kokkonen, 511 U.S. at 377). “If the court determines at any time that it lacks 21 subject-matter jurisdiction, the court must dismiss the action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3); see 22 Franklin v. State of Or., State Welfare Div., 662 F.2d 1337, 1342 (9th Cir. 1981) (court may 23 dismiss an action sua sponte for lack of jurisdiction). 24 Plaintiff has not established the Court’s subject matter jurisdiction. (See ECF No. 1.) The 25 only federal law plaintiff lists in the complaint is a reference to Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 of 26 the United States Constitution and Public Law 97-280. (Id. at 3, 8.) However, the complaint does 27 not adequately present any federal question. Plaintiff does not describe how either of these laws 28 relate to her complaint or provide facts demonstrating that her claims are valid under federal law. 1 Plaintiff’s main allegations seem to relate to ejectment from a parcel of land, but she has not 2 described how these allegations violate federal law. 3 Further, the complaint does not allege that there is diversity of citizenship between the 4 parties where plaintiff lists both defendants as having an address in Davis, California. (ECF No. 1 5 at 2.) Therefore, the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction. 6 B. Failure to Comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8 7 Plaintiff’s complaint does not contain a short and plaint statement of a claim as required 8 by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8. In order to give fair notice of the claims and the grounds on 9 which they rest, a plaintiff must allege with at least some degree of particularity overt acts by 10 specific defendants which support the claims. See Kimes v. Stone, 84 F.3d 1121, 1129 (9th Cir. 11 1996). Plaintiff states that she is seeking “equitable ejectment” of individuals from a parcel of 12 land in Davis, California (ECF No. 1 at 8) but does not adequately allege that she owns the land 13 or that individuals are wrongfully on the land. Other than naming the two defendants on the 14 complaint, it does not appear that any of the allegations actually relate to either defendant. 15 Plaintiff has not alleged sufficient facts to show that either defendant violated her rights, and has 16 failed to state a claim. Although the Federal Rules adopt a flexible pleading policy, even a pro se 17 litigant’s complaint must give fair notice and state the elements of a claim plainly and succinctly. 18 Jones v. Community Redev. Agency, 733 F.2d 646, 649 (9th Cir. 1984). 19 Plaintiff’s complaint is subject to dismissal. See McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172, 1178- 20 80 (9th Cir. 1996) (affirming dismissal of complaint where “one cannot determine from the 21 complaint who is being sued, for what relief, and on what theory, with enough detail to guide 22 discovery”). 23 III. Plain Language Summary for a Pro Se Party 24 The following information is meant to explain this order in plain English and is not 25 intended as legal advice. 26 Your complaint is being dismissed because it fails to state a claim. However, you are 27 being given the chance to fix the problems identified in this order by filing an amended 28 1 | complaint. If you wish to file an amended complaint you must clearly explain what happened, 2 || why the court has jurisdiction over your complaint, and what remedy you are seeking. 3 IV. Conclusion and Order 4 The complaint must be dismissed, but plaintiff is granted leave to file an amended 5 || complaint. See Lucas v. Dep’t of Corr., 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995) (“Unless it is absolutely 6 || clear that no amendment can cure the defect .. . a pro se litigant is entitled to notice of the 7 || complaint’s deficiencies and an opportunity to amend prior to dismissal of the action.”). An 8 || amended complaint should be titled “First Amended Complaint.” Local Rule 220 requires that an 9 || amended complaint be complete by itself without reference to any prior pleading. 10 For the reasons set forth above, IT IS ORDERED as follows: 11 1. Plaintiffs request to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is DENIED without 12 prejudice; 13 2. Plaintiff's complaint (ECF No. 1) is dismissed with leave to amend; 14 3. The Clerk’s Office is directed to send plaintiff the civil form complaint used in this 15 district and the in forma pauperis application; and 16 4. Plaintiff is granted thirty days from the date of service of this order to file an amended 17 complaint that complies with the requirements of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 18 and the Local Rules of Practice. Failure to file an amended complaint in accordance 19 with this order will result in a recommendation that this action be dismissed. 20 | Dated: July 10, 2025 □□ I / dip Ze 21 CAROLYNK. DELANEY 22 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 23 4 | 5 wind.1500.25 25 26 27 28