Case ID: f-appx_412/html/0490-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Verone JENKINS, Jr., Appellant v. State of NEW JERSEY.
    No. 10-4016.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted for Possible Summary Action Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 27.4 and I.O.P. 10.6 Jan. 13, 2011.
    Filed: Jan. 24, 2011.
    Verone Jenkins, Jr., Burlington City, NJ, pro se.
    David Bender, Esq., Office of Attorney General of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ, for Appellee.
    Before: SCIRICA, HARDIMAN and VANASKIE, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

PER CURIAM.

Verone Jenkins, Jr., proceeding pro se, appeals an order of the United States Dis-triet Court for the District of New Jersey granting the State of New Jersey’s motion to dismiss his complaint. For the reasons that follow, we will affirm the judgment of the District Court.

Jenkins filed a complaint and an amended complaint alleging that he is a victim of identity theft as a result of the theft of his wallet. He states that the thieves were extended credit in his name and charged amounts exceeding $10,000. Jenkins states that the crimes occurred during the years 1996 to 1998. He believes the thieves visited his home during this time period, stating that he heard persons boasting about making the credit card charges. Jenkins avers that he contacted New Jersey State government agencies and law enforcement offices immediately after the crimes occurred but the agencies failed to investigate. Jenkins, who is Jewish, further claims that his rights to a proper investigation and fair trial have been violated and that these violations were the result of anti-Semitism. He states that he continues to be held financially responsible for the crimes against him. As relief, Jenkins seeks “to clear his name” of credit card fraud. Am. Comp, at 7.

The State of New Jersey moved to dismiss the complaint on various grounds, including sovereign immunity under the Eleventh Amendment. The District Court agreed that sovereign immunity applied, ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the complaint, and granted the motion to dismiss. This appeal followed.

We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Our standard of review is plenary. Gould Electronics Inc. v. United States, 220 F.3d 169, 176 (3d Cir.2000).

The District Court did not err in granting the State of New Jersey’s motion to dismiss Jenkins’ complaint, as amended, based on sovereign immunity. See Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 100, 104 S.Ct. 900, 79 L.Ed.2d 67 (1984). To the extent an argument could be made that the District Court should have afforded Jenkins an opportunity to amend his complaint to raise his claims against defendants other than the State of New Jersey, see Grayson v. Mayview State Hosp., 293 F.3d 103, 108 (3d Cir.2002), we conclude that leave to amend was not required. Because Jenkins’ claims of failure to investigate arise from events occurring over twelve years ago, affording such an opportunity would have been futile. See id.; Montgomery v. De Simone, 159 F.3d 120, 126 n. 4 (3d Cir.1998) (noting New Jersey’s two-year limitations period on personal injury actions applies to civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983).

Accordingly, because this appeal does not raise a substantial question, the judgment of the District Court is affirmed. 
      
      . In his original complaint, Jenkins requested compensation for monetary losses and slander to his character.
     
      
      . We do not read Jenkins’ amended complaint as seeking to assert a claim against a credit reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681 etseq.
      
     
      
      .The District Court did not abuse its discretion in denying Jenkins’ motion for appointment of counsel. Jenkins’ motion for appointment of counsel on appeal is denied. Tabron v. Grace, 6 F.3d 147, 155 (3d Cir.1993).