Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00655/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00655-7/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

D’ANNUNZIO ROMAN GAVIOLA 

PATRON,

Plaintiff,

v.

LEWY HUGH, et al.,

 Defendants.

No. 1:24-cv-00655-JLT-SAB (PC)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION 

FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT

(ECF No. 25) 

Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this action filed pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. § 1983. This action is proceeding on Plaintiff’s due process claim against Defendants 

Lewy Hugh, C. Mares, G. Herara. 

Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default as to all three 

Defendants, filed December 5, 2024, self-dated November 24, 2024. Plaintiff’s motion must be 

denied. 

Entry of default is appropriate as to any party against whom a judgment for affirmative 

relief is sought that has failed to plead or otherwise defend as provided by the Federal Rules of 

Civil Procedure and where that failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 

55(a). Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides, “[a] defendant must serve an 

Case 1:24-cv-00655-JLT-SAB Document 26 Filed 12/06/24 Page 1 of 2
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

answer within 21 days after being served with the summons and complaint; or if it has timely 

waived service under Rule 4(d), within 60 days after the request for a waiver was sent.” Fed. R. 

Civ. P. 12(a)(1)(A). Under Rule 4(d), a defendant may waive service of a summons by signing 

and returning a waiver of service. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d). If a defendant fails to plead or otherwise 

defend an action after being properly served with a summons and complaint, a default may be 

entered pursuant to Rule 55(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). 

Here, the record reveals that entry of default is not appropriate at this time. On July 24, 

2024, the Court ordered service of the first amended complaint on Defendants registered nurse 

Lewy Hugh, officer C. Mares, and officer G. Herara, at the Fresno County Jail. (ECF No. 14.) 

On November 20, 2024, the Court issued an order for Plaintiff to show cause why 

Defendant Lewy Hugh should not be dismissed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) 

as the staff manager for Wellpath indicated they do not have an employee by the name of Lewy 

Hugh. (ECF No. 23.) On this same date, the Court also ordered the Fresno County Sheriff to 

show cause why sanctions should not be imposed for failing to assist the United States Marshal in 

effectuating service on Defendant C. Mares and G. Herara. (ECF No. 24.) Accordingly, because 

Defendants have not yet been served with process, entry of default is not warranted and Plaintiff’s 

motion is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 6, 2024 

STANLEY A. BOONE

United States Magistrate Judge

 

Case 1:24-cv-00655-JLT-SAB Document 26 Filed 12/06/24 Page 2 of 2