UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA TERRE HAUTE DIVISION 500 INMATES OF PUTNAMVILLE ) CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, ) MICHAEL SCUTERI, ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) v. ) No. 2:24-cv-00424-JPH-MG ) HEATHER RUSSELL, ) CAMERON BABB, ) CHRISTINA REAGLE, ) TRICIA PRETORIUS, ) MICHAEL DURREGER, ) INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ) CORRECTION, ) ) Defendants. ) ORDER DENYING MOTIONS TO ADD ADDITIONAL PLAINTIFFS This action originally was filed in state court by Plaintiff Michael Scuteri before being removed to this Court by the Defendants. Dkt. 2. Mr. Scuteri has not moved to have this action certified as a class action under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23.1 Under Rule 23, "[o]ne or more members of a class may sue . . . as representative parties on behalf of all members only if . . . the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class." Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a). In addition, "a court that certifies a class must appoint class counsel." Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(g)(1). "[I]t is generally not an abuse of discretion for a district 1 The Court has denied such a motion in a nearly identical case. Scuteri v. Indiana Department of Corrections et al., No. 2:24-cv-00316-JPH-MKK, dkt. 7. court to deny a motion for class certification on the ground that a pro se litigant is not an adequate class representative. " Howard v. Pollard, 814 F.3d 476, 478 (7th Cir. 2015) (emphasis in original) (denying petition to appeal denial of motion
for class certification in which district court denied motion for class certification because plaintiffs were proceeding pro se and, thus, not adequate class representatives); see Goodvine v. Meisner, 608 F. App'x 415, 417 (7th Cir. 2015). Furthermore, the Court expressly advised Mr. Scuteri in the -316 case, on September 19, 2024, that "he is not a licensed attorney and is not an approved class representative. He must cease purporting to file documents in this case on behalf of other inmates. If any other individuals wish to pursue relief, they must file complaints on their own behalf and such cases will be subject to individual
procedural requirements, including but not limited to resolution of any filing fee issues, before such cases may proceed." No. 2:24-cv-00316 at dkt. 89. Despite the lack of class certification, there are now 23 pending motions to add additional plaintiffs to this action, representing more than 40 different persons. Because this is not a certified class action and because Mr. Scuteri may not represent those persons, these motions are denied. Dkts. [17-19], [21-22], [25-29], [31-39], [42-43]; [45-46]. For the same reasons, the clerk is directed to terminate "500 Inmates of Putnamville Correctional Facility" as a named plaintiff
on the docket. Moreover, it has come to the Court's attention that persons mentioned in the multiple motions to add additional plaintiffs may lack accurate or complete information about the status of this case. See dkt. 40. The clerk is directed to issue courtesy copies of this Order to the persons named below. These persons are reminded, as stated above, that if they wish to pursue relief, they must file their own complaints and comply with all procedural requirements, including but not limited to resolution of any filing fee issues, before such cases may proceed. This Order does not prevent said persons from filing cases on their own behalf. The motion at dkt. [40], filed by non-party Terryon Golliday,? seeking information about this case, is granted to the extent he will receive a copy of this Order informing him that he is not properly a plaintiff in this case and this is not a class-action lawsuit. SO ORDERED.
Date: 10/30/2024 ams Pat tavbor— James Patrick Hanlon United States District Judge Southern District of Indiana
Distribution: All ECF-registered counsel of record via email MICHAEL SCUTERI 286882 PUTNAMVILLE - CF PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Electronic Service Participant — Court Only
2 Mr. Golliday identifies himself as "Plaintiff #770" in his motion, as listed in the amended complaint Mr. Scuteri filed.
Courtesy Copy to: TERRYON GOLLIDAY 295044 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 THOMAS J. GOODMAN 927441 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 KENNETH L. WINDSOR 193772 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 BROCK WILLARD 299299 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 RICHARD MAILLOUX 299699 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 AUSTIN CRABTREE 226240 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 JOHN GRAY 979108 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ROBERT MCCUE 299233 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 GEORGE STATEN 112024 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 GREGORY COX 103230 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 MARLON YOUNGER 282770 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 LANCE SNYDER 141378 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 WYATT BEIDELMAN 294911 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 ANTHONY LOVELLETTE JR. 162192 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 LAWRENCE JOHNSON 172049 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 DAQUAVIOUS TUTROW 295827 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 JOHN HARPER 110770 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 CHRISTOPHER WARREN 992243 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 RONALD PONTE JR. 957596 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 SHANNON A. JONES 138605 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 BLAKE MESSER SR. 297875 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 DANNY POUNCY 298742 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 TONEY BROWN 985739 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 PATRICK SWEET 264589 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 JAMES BRINSFIELD 258551 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 MATTHEW BAKER 169366 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ROBERT ASTORGA 294985 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ROBERT FETWELL 851182 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S.
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA TERRE HAUTE DIVISION 500 INMATES OF PUTNAMVILLE ) CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, ) MICHAEL SCUTERI, ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) v. ) No. 2:24-cv-00424-JPH-MG ) HEATHER RUSSELL, ) CAMERON BABB, ) CHRISTINA REAGLE, ) TRICIA PRETORIUS, ) MICHAEL DURREGER, ) INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ) CORRECTION, ) ) Defendants. ) ORDER DENYING MOTIONS TO ADD ADDITIONAL PLAINTIFFS This action originally was filed in state court by Plaintiff Michael Scuteri before being removed to this Court by the Defendants. Dkt. 2. Mr. Scuteri has not moved to have this action certified as a class action under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23.1 Under Rule 23, "[o]ne or more members of a class may sue . . . as representative parties on behalf of all members only if . . . the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class." Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a). In addition, "a court that certifies a class must appoint class counsel." Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(g)(1). "[I]t is generally not an abuse of discretion for a district 1 The Court has denied such a motion in a nearly identical case. Scuteri v. Indiana Department of Corrections et al., No. 2:24-cv-00316-JPH-MKK, dkt. 7. court to deny a motion for class certification on the ground that a pro se litigant is not an adequate class representative. " Howard v. Pollard, 814 F.3d 476, 478 (7th Cir. 2015) (emphasis in original) (denying petition to appeal denial of motion
for class certification in which district court denied motion for class certification because plaintiffs were proceeding pro se and, thus, not adequate class representatives); see Goodvine v. Meisner, 608 F. App'x 415, 417 (7th Cir. 2015). Furthermore, the Court expressly advised Mr. Scuteri in the -316 case, on September 19, 2024, that "he is not a licensed attorney and is not an approved class representative. He must cease purporting to file documents in this case on behalf of other inmates. If any other individuals wish to pursue relief, they must file complaints on their own behalf and such cases will be subject to individual
procedural requirements, including but not limited to resolution of any filing fee issues, before such cases may proceed." No. 2:24-cv-00316 at dkt. 89. Despite the lack of class certification, there are now 23 pending motions to add additional plaintiffs to this action, representing more than 40 different persons. Because this is not a certified class action and because Mr. Scuteri may not represent those persons, these motions are denied. Dkts. [17-19], [21-22], [25-29], [31-39], [42-43]; [45-46]. For the same reasons, the clerk is directed to terminate "500 Inmates of Putnamville Correctional Facility" as a named plaintiff
on the docket. Moreover, it has come to the Court's attention that persons mentioned in the multiple motions to add additional plaintiffs may lack accurate or complete information about the status of this case. See dkt. 40. The clerk is directed to issue courtesy copies of this Order to the persons named below. These persons are reminded, as stated above, that if they wish to pursue relief, they must file their own complaints and comply with all procedural requirements, including but not limited to resolution of any filing fee issues, before such cases may proceed. This Order does not prevent said persons from filing cases on their own behalf. The motion at dkt. [40], filed by non-party Terryon Golliday,? seeking information about this case, is granted to the extent he will receive a copy of this Order informing him that he is not properly a plaintiff in this case and this is not a class-action lawsuit. SO ORDERED.
Date: 10/30/2024 ams Pat tavbor— James Patrick Hanlon United States District Judge Southern District of Indiana
Distribution: All ECF-registered counsel of record via email MICHAEL SCUTERI 286882 PUTNAMVILLE - CF PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Electronic Service Participant — Court Only
2 Mr. Golliday identifies himself as "Plaintiff #770" in his motion, as listed in the amended complaint Mr. Scuteri filed.
Courtesy Copy to: TERRYON GOLLIDAY 295044 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 THOMAS J. GOODMAN 927441 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 KENNETH L. WINDSOR 193772 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 BROCK WILLARD 299299 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 RICHARD MAILLOUX 299699 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 AUSTIN CRABTREE 226240 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 JOHN GRAY 979108 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ROBERT MCCUE 299233 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 GEORGE STATEN 112024 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 GREGORY COX 103230 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 MARLON YOUNGER 282770 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 LANCE SNYDER 141378 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 WYATT BEIDELMAN 294911 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 ANTHONY LOVELLETTE JR. 162192 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 LAWRENCE JOHNSON 172049 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 DAQUAVIOUS TUTROW 295827 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 JOHN HARPER 110770 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 CHRISTOPHER WARREN 992243 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 RONALD PONTE JR. 957596 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 SHANNON A. JONES 138605 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 BLAKE MESSER SR. 297875 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 DANNY POUNCY 298742 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 TONEY BROWN 985739 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 PATRICK SWEET 264589 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 JAMES BRINSFIELD 258551 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 MATTHEW BAKER 169366 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ROBERT ASTORGA 294985 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ROBERT FETWELL 851182 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ANTHONY OMELIAN 180886 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 JOSHUA ARROYO 298462 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ANDREW MOORE 201150 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ANDREW MINARDO 229075 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 JESSE SETTLES 175201 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 CENTRELL LANIER 262909 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ISAIAH HUGHES 258782 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 STEVEN BOWLING 113869 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 DEREK REHWINKEL 912131 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 VICTOR HURLEY 172055 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ANTONIO WHITLEY 166594 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 RADRICE JOHNSON 293155 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 KENNETH KELLY 144862 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 MICHAEL NELSON 204293 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 QUENTIN BRONSON-BEY 988387 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 FRANKLIN SPIGHT 854105 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 LLOYD ROWLISON 179491 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135 ALBERT THORNE 119579 PUTNAMVILLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Inmate Mail/Parcels 1946 West U.S. Highway 40 Greencastle, IN 46135