Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_13-cv-01339/USCOURTS-azd-2_13-cv-01339-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1391 Personal Injury

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WO 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 

United States of America, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

John Ferron, 

Defendant.

No. CV-13-1339- PHX DGC

ORDER 

 

 On July 3, 2013, Plaintiff filed a complaint and emergency ex parte motion to 

permit the United States, through competent medical practioners employed by or 

contracted with the Public Health Service, Division of Immigrant Health Services, to 

involuntarily administer food, nutritional support, fluids, and to conduct medical 

monitoring, including laboratory tests, to Defendant who has been on a self-described 

hunger strike since July 29, 2013. The motion is supported by the declaration of Dr. 

Carlos M. Quinones. 

 The Court concludes that the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 

65(b)(1)(A) are satisfied even though the government has not submitted the required 

affidavit or verified complaint. Immediate and irreparable injury will occur if the Court 

waits for Defendant to respond in opposition. 

 The Court also concludes that the government is likely to succeed in showing that 

its interests in discharging its duties to care for those in its custody and in furthering 

legitimate penological objectives outweighs any interest Defendant might have in 

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expressing himself through a hunger strike. See In re Soliman, 134 F. Supp. 2d 1238 

(N.D. Ala. 2001). The Court also concludes that the other requirements for a temporary 

restraining order are met – there is a likelihood of irreparable harm, the balance of 

hardship tips in favor of the government, and public policy favors preserving Defendant’s 

life. 

 The government’s motion for a temporary restraining order is granted. The United 

States shall be permitted immediately and involuntarily to administer food, nutritional 

support, and fluids to Defendant, and to conduct medical monitoring, including 

laboratory tests. 

 This order shall remain in effect for 14 days unless extended under Rule 65(b)(2). 

A further status hearing shall be held on July 11, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. 

 Signed this 3rd day of July, 2013, at 5:55 p.m. 

Case 2:13-cv-01339-DGC Document 6 Filed 07/03/13 Page 2 of 2