Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-01375/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-01375-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KEVIN B. JOHNSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

UNKNOWN F.B.I. AGENTS,

Defendant.

No. 2:22-cv-1375 KJM DB P

ORDER AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE 

Plaintiff is a former county inmate proceeding pro se with a civil rights action. Plaintiff 

claims that Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) officials violated his rights to equal 

protection under the law. Presently before the court is plaintiff’s motion for FBI accountability. 

(ECF No. 50.) For the reasons set forth below, the undersigned will deny the motion for FBI 

accountability and direct plaintiff to show cause in writing why this action should not be 

dismissed for failure to prosecute.

I. Motion for FBI Accountability

Plaintiff states the FBI is denying him internet access. (ECF No. 50 at 1.) He states that 

the FBI has done so “for racist and hateful reasons.” (Id.) Plaintiff further alleges that his 

internet access was removed without a hearing. Plaintiff accuses the FBI of fabricating crimes, 

charging individuals with crimes that did not happen. (Id.) Additionally, he states that the FBI 

////

Case 2:22-cv-01375-KJM-SCR Document 58 Filed 01/22/24 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

and the trial courts are creating mental health problems in inmates that did not have mental health 

issues before going to jail. (Id.)

Plaintiff states that he would like his “.303 brit rifle back” and alleges the FBI stole it 

from him in “a staged car accident.” (Id. at 2.) He further claims that he has been the target of a 

“search and destroy mission.” (Id. at 3.) He states, “[t]he operation where the FBI uses all its 

power and influence to commit defamation is not new and [he] cannot see how the Federal judges 

don’t know of it.” (Id.) In support of his allegations, he cites an article titled “Racial and Ethnic 

Disparities throughout the Criminal Legal System” written by the Urban Institute. (Id.)

Plaintiff states this court is a “bar from Due Process, fair and impartial, equal protection 

under the law, 10th Amendment and a few others. Then you look at the Grand Jury then the 

whole system is unconstitutional, very inconsistent with the Constitution. This whole system is 

racial discrimination for the Black man. This is why 50.2% of the innocent prison population is 

black and that’s a conservative number and most agree its much higher due to the unknown 

cases.” (Id. at 5.)

As with prior motions filed by plaintiff, this motion does not contain a request for judicial 

action and fails to cite any legal authority. Additionally, the circumstances surrounding the 

allegations are not sufficiently clear for the undersigned to determine whether any relief is 

warranted. Therefore, the undersigned will deny the motion without prejudice. Plaintiff is further 

advised that to the extent his internet privileges and rifle were taken pursuant to court proceedings 

the proper course of action it to pursue relief in those actions rather than in the instant case.

II. Failure to Serve Defendants 

Plaintiff initiated this action on August 3, 2022. (ECF No. 1.) Thereafter, plaintiff 

submitted filings indicating that he would move to proceed in forma pauperis in this action. (ECF 

Nos. 6, 10, 14, 20, 21.) Plaintiff paid the filing fee on October 25, 2022. By order dated 

December 27, 2022, the undersigned granted plaintiff’s motion for summons and directed the 

Clerk of the Court to issue summons in this case pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 

4(m). (ECF No. 27.)

//// 

Case 2:22-cv-01375-KJM-SCR Document 58 Filed 01/22/24 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3

On February 24, 2023, plaintiff filed a proof of service of summons stating the complaint 

and summons were served on a paralegal at the FBI office in Roseville, California. (ECF No. 35 

at 1.) Here, defendants identified by plaintiff as “unknown FBI agents” are required to be served 

pursuant to the requirements set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i). Zuercher v. 

Hoskins, No. 4:21-cv-05142-YGR, 2021 WL 6551433, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 16, 2021). Thus, 

plaintiff is required to “deliver a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the United States 

attorney for the district where the action is brought—or to an assistant United States attorney or 

clerical employee whom the United States attorney designates in a writing filed with the court 

clerk—or send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the civil-process clerk at the 

United States attorney’s office.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i). Accordingly, service on a paralegal is not 

effective. See Tuke v. United States, 76 F.3d 155, 156 (7th Cir. 1996) (plaintiff “must serve the 

United States in the way Rule 4 requires; actual notice is insufficient”). In light of plaintiff’s pro 

se status, and in the interests of justice, the court will provide plaintiff with an opportunity to 

show good cause for plaintiff’s conduct.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for FBI accountability (ECF No. 50) is denied;

2. Plaintiff to show cause in writing within twenty-eight (28) days of the date of this order

as to why defendants have not been served and why this case should not be dismissed for lack of 

prosecution; and

3. Plaintiff is cautioned that failure to timely comply with this order may result in a

recommendation that this case be dismissed.

Dated: January 19, 2024

DB:12

DB/DB Prisoner Inbox/Civil Rights/R/john1375.fbi.4(m)

Case 2:22-cv-01375-KJM-SCR Document 58 Filed 01/22/24 Page 3 of 3