(PC) Ireland v. White ( 2019 )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 9 10 ROD WILLIAM IRELAND, No. 2:19-cv-1104-EFB P 11 Plaintiff, 12 v. ORDER AND FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 13 SOLANO COUNTY, et al. 14 Defendants. 15 16 Plaintiff proceeds without counsel in this action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 17 He has filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunctive relief (ECF 18 No. 6) and an application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2). 19 Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis 20 The court has reviewed plaintiff’s application and finds that it makes the showing required 21 by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). Accordingly, plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis is 22 granted and his complaint is screened below. 23 Screening 24 I. Legal Standards 25 Pursuant to § 1915(e)(2), the court must dismiss the case at any time if it determines the 26 allegation of poverty is untrue, or if the action is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim on 27 which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief against an immune defendant. 28 ///// 1 Although pro se pleadings are liberally construed, see Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 2 520-21 (1972), a complaint, or portion thereof, should be dismissed for failure to state a claim if it 3 fails to set forth “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell Atl. 4 Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 554, 562-563 (2007) (citing Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41 5 (1957)); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). “[A] plaintiff's obligation to provide the ‘grounds’ of 6 his ‘entitlement to relief’ requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of 7 a cause of action's elements will not do. Factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to 8 relief above the speculative level on the assumption that all of the complaint's allegations are 9 true.” Id. (citations omitted). Dismissal is appropriate based either on the lack of cognizable 10 legal theories or the lack of pleading sufficient facts to support cognizable legal theories. 11 Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990). 12 In reviewing a complaint under this standard, the court must accept as true the allegations 13 of the complaint in question, Hospital Bldg. Co. v. Rex Hosp. Trustees, 425 U.S. 738, 740 14 (1976), construe the pleading in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, and resolve all doubts in 15 the plaintiff’s favor, Jenkins v. McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421 (1969). A pro se plaintiff must 16 satisfy the pleading requirements of Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 17 8(a)(2) “requires a complaint to include a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the 18 pleader is entitled to relief, in order to give the defendant fair notice of what the claim is and the 19 grounds upon which it rests.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 562-563 (2007). 20 II. Analysis 21 A. Sergeant White 22 Plaintiff alleges that, while incarcerated at the Solano County Jail, Sergeant White 23 violated his rights under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) by placing him 24 in administrative segregation. ECF No. 5 at 2. Plaintiff also alleges that his assignment to 25 administrative segregation by White violated his due process rights insofar as he was not 26 provided any hearings or written notice concerning his placement. Id. at 10. Next, plaintiff 27 alleges that the assignment to administrative segregation denies him equal protection under the 28 law. Id. at 14. Finally, plaintiff alleges that his placement in administrative segregation 1 constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in contravention of the Eighth Amendment. Id. 2 Plaintiff asserts each of these claims against White in both his individual and official capacity. 3 Id. at 1. 4 With respect to plaintiff’s ADA claim against White, there is no individual liability for 5 defendants sued for Title II violations pursuant to section 1983. See Vinson v. Thomas, 288 F.3d 6 1145, 1156 (9th Cir. 2002) (“We therefore join the Fifth, Eighth, and Eleventh Circuits and hold 7 that a plaintiff cannot bring an action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against a State official in her 8 individual capacity to vindicate rights created by Title II of the ADA or section 504 of the 9 Rehabilitation Act.”). And plaintiff’s official capacity ADA claim against White is, in effect, a 10 claim against Solano County itself. See Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 165-66 (1985). To 11 state a claim against the county, plaintiff must allege that some policy, practice, or custom was 12 the moving force behind his injury. See Castro v. City of Los Angeles, 833 F.3d 1060, 1075-76 13 (9th Cir. 2016). Plaintiff has failed to allege, in any specific terms, that some policy, practice, or 14 custom of the county led to his placement in administrative segregation because of his disability. 15 Turning to plaintiff’s due process claim, plaintiff has stated, for screening purposes, a 16 cognizable claim against White. Due process requires, inter alia, an informal, non-adversarial 17 hearing regarding a prisoner’s placement in administrative segregation. See Toussaint v. 18 McCarthy, 801 F.2d 1080, 1091-92 (9th Cir. 1986). Plaintiff alleges he received neither hearing 19 nor notice of why he was being placed in administrative segregation. 20 Next, the court finds that plaintiff has stated, for screening purposes, a cognizable “class 21 of one” equal protection claim against White. A plaintiff establishes a “class of one” equal 22 protection claim where he alleges that he has been intentionally treated differently from others 23 similarly situated and that there is no rational basis for the difference in treatment. See 24 Willowbrook v. Olech, 528 U.S. 562, 564 (2000). 25 ///// 26 ///// 27 ///// 28 ///// 1 Finally, the court finds that plaintiff has failed to state an Eighth Amendment1 claim based 2 on his placement in administrative segregation. The Ninth Circuit has held that assignment of a 3 prisoner to administrative segregation for an indeterminate term, without more, does not 4 constitute cruel and unusual punishment. See Toussaint v. Yockey, 722 F.2d 1490, 1494 n. 6 (9th 5 Cir. 1984). It appears, however, that plaintiff is a pre-trial detainee2 and, accordingly, his claim 6 arises under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. See Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 7 520, 535 n.16 (1979). Thus, plaintiff has stated a potentially cognizable claim that his lengthy 8 term in administrative segregation, while not amounting to cruel and unusual punishment under 9 the Eighth Amendment, runs afoul of the prohibition on pre-trial punishment. Id. at 535. He may 10 proceed past screening with this claim. 11 B. Sheriff Ferrara and County of Solano 12 Plaintiff brings his claims against Sheriff Ferrara only in his official capacity. ECF No. 5 13 at 15. Thus, as noted supra, his claims against the Sheriff are properly against the county itself. 14 See Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 165-66 (1985). And while plaintiff alleges that some 15 policies and customs of the county contributed to the alleged violations he brings against 16 defendant White, these allegations are little more than unsupported legal conclusions. See, e.g., 17 ECF No. 5 at 16 (“Sheriff Ferrara in his actions of failing to adequately train his subordinates 18 (sic) employees allowed the utilization of administrative methods [that are] strictly prohibited 19 . . .”). These unsupported conclusions are insufficient to comply with Rule 8. See Ashcroft v. 20 Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (holding that “the pleading standard Rule 8 announces does not 21 require "detailed factual allegations," but it demands more than an unadorned, the-defendant- 22 23 1 To the extent plaintiff is a pre-trial detainee, his claim would arise under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. See Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 535 n.16 (1979). It is 24 possible that plaintiff’s lengthy term in administrative segregation, while not amounting to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment, would run afoul of the prohibition on pre- 25 trial punishment. Id. at 535. 26 2 As best the court can tell, the amended complaint does not specify plaintiff’s status as a 27 pre-trial detainee. His application to proceed in forma pauperis, however, has “pre-trial detainee” written across the first page and plaintiff identifies himself as a pretrial detainee in his motion for 28 injunctive relief. ECF No. 2 at 1; ECF No. 6 at 1. 1 unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.”). Accordingly, the claims against Sheriff Ferrara and Solano 2 County will be dismissed with leave to amend. 3 Leave to Amend 4 Plaintiff may elect to proceed only with his due process and equal protection claims 5 against defendant White. Or, he may submit an amended complaint which attempts to remedy the 6 deficiencies in his other claims. 7 Plaintiff is cautioned that any amended complaint must identify as a defendant only 8 persons who personally participated in a substantial way in depriving him of his constitutional 9 rights. Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir. 1978) (a person subjects another to the 10 deprivation of a constitutional right if he does an act, participates in another’s act or omits to 11 perform an act he is legally required to do that causes the alleged deprivation). Plaintiff may also 12 include any allegations based on state law that are so closely related to his federal allegations that 13 “they form the same case or controversy.” See 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a). 14 The amended complaint must also contain a caption including the names of all defendants. 15 Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(a). 16 Plaintiff may not change the nature of this suit by alleging new, unrelated claims. See 17 George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 607 (7th Cir. 2007). 18 Any amended complaint must be written or typed so that it so that it is complete in itself 19 without reference to any earlier filed complaint. E.D. Cal. L.R. 220. This is because an amended 20 complaint supersedes any earlier filed complaint, and once an amended complaint is filed, the 21 earlier filed complaint no longer serves any function in the case. See Forsyth v. Humana, 114 22 F.3d 1467, 1474 (9th Cir. 1997) (the “‘amended complaint supersedes the original, the latter 23 being treated thereafter as non-existent.’”) (quoting Loux v. Rhay, 375 F.2d 55, 57 (9th Cir. 24 1967)). 25 Any amended complaint should be as concise as possible in fulfilling the above 26 requirements. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). Plaintiff should avoid the inclusion of procedural or factual 27 background which has no bearing on his legal claims. He should also take pains to ensure that his 28 amended complaint is as legible as possible. This refers not only to penmanship, but also spacing 1 and organization. Plaintiff should carefully consider whether each of the defendants he names 2 actually had involvement in the constitutional violations he alleges. A “scattershot” approach in 3 which plaintiff names dozens of defendants will not be looked upon favorably by the court. 4 Motion for Injunctive Relief 5 Plaintiff seeks an order from the court preventing the Solano County Sheriff from 6 continuing to hold plaintiff in administrative segregation. ECF No. 6. A temporary restraining 7 order may be issued upon a showing “that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will 8 result to the movant before the adverse party can be heard in opposition.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 9 65(b)(1)(A); Haw. County Green Party v. Clinton, 980 F. Supp. 1160, 1164 (D. Haw. 1997)(“The 10 standards for granting a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction are identical.”); 11 cf. Stuhlbarg Int'l Sales Co. v. John D. Brush & Co., 240 F.3d 832, 839 n.7 (9th Cir. 2001) 12 (observing that an analysis of a preliminary injunction is “substantially identical” to an analysis of 13 a temporary restraining order).3 The purpose of the order is to preserve the status quo and to 14 prevent irreparable harm “just so long as is necessary to hold a hearing, and no longer.” Granny 15 Goose Foods, Inc. v. Brotherhood of Teamsters, 415 U.S. 423, 439 (1974). Plaintiff claims, 16 without elaboration, that his continued confinement in administrative segregation causes him 17 “irreparable damage.” ECF No. 7 at 5-6. Without a stronger showing of immediate and 18 irreparable injury, plaintiff is not entitled to the relief sought. 19 Further, a party seeking preliminary injunctive relief must demonstrate “that he is likely to 20 succeed on the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary 21 relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest.” 22 Stormans, Inc. v. Selecky, 586 F.3d 1109, 1127 (9th Cir. 2009). Plaintiff showing as to the merits 23 of his case has not satisfied that test. 24 ///// 25 26 3 In order to be entitled to preliminary injunctive relief, a party must demonstrate “that he is likely to succeed on the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of 27 preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest.” Stormans, Inc. v. Selecky, 586 F.3d 1109, 1127 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing Winter v. 28 Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7 (2008)). 1 Conclusion 2 Accordingly, it is ORDERED that: 3 1. Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is GRANTED. 4 2. Plaintiff shall pay the statutory filing fee of $350. All payments shall be collected 5 in accordance with the notice to the custodial agency filed concurrently herewith; 6 3. Plaintiff’s allegations are sufficient to state cognizable due process and equal 7 protection claims against defendant White. All other claims are dismissed with leave to amend 8 within 30 days of service of this order. Plaintiff is not obligated to amend his complaint; 9 4. With this order the Clerk of the Court shall provide to plaintiff a blank summons, a 10 copy of the July 17, 2019 complaint, one form USM-285, and instructions for service of process 11 on defendant White. Within 30 days of service of this order plaintiff may return the attached 12 Notice of Submission of Documents with the completed summons, the completed USM-285 13 form, and two copies of the endorsed complaint. The court will transmit them to the United States 14 Marshal for service of process pursuant to Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 15 Defendant will be required to respond to plaintiff’s allegations within the deadlines stated in Rule 16 12(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; and 17 5. Plaintiff is cautioned that failure to comply with this order may result in dismissal of 18 this action for failure to prosecute. 19 6. The Clerk is directed to randomly assign a United States District Judge to this case. 20 Further, it is RECOMMENDED that plaintiff’s motion for a temporary restraining order 21 and preliminary injunctive relief (ECF No. 6) be DENIED. 22 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge 23 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days 24 after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written 25 objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned 26 “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Failure to file objections 27 ///// 28 ///// 1 || within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court’s order. Turner v. 2 || Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th Cir. 1998); Martinez v. Yist, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991). 3 | DATED: October 7, 2019. tid, PDEA EDMUND F. BRENNAN 5 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 8 9 ROD WILLIAM IRELAND, No. 2:19-cv-1104-EFB P 10 Plaintiff, 11 v. NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS 12 SOLANO COUNTY, et al, 13 Defendants. 14 15 In accordance with the court’s Screening Order, plaintiff hereby elects to: 16 (1) ______ proceed only with the due process and equal protection claims against 17 defendant White and submits the following documents: 18 1 completed summons form 19 1 completed forms USM-285 20 2 copies of the July 17, 2019 complaint 21 OR 22 (2) ______ delay serving any defendant and files an amended complaint in accordance 23 with the court’s Screening Order. 24 25 _________________________________ 26 Plaintiff 27 Dated: 28