Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00155/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00155-21/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

JOHN W. WILLIAMS,

Plaintiff,

v.

BEER, et al., 

Defendants.

Case No. 1:21-cv-00155-KES-EPG (PC)

ORDER CONTINUING STAY, DENYING 

PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO LIFT THE STAY,

AND REQUIRING FURTHER STATUS 

REPORT

(ECF Nos. 83, 84)

Plaintiff John Williams is a state prisoner proceeding pro se in this civil action pursuant to 

42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action is proceeding based on allegations that Defendant Oaks physically 

and sexually assaulted Plaintiff on August 5, 2019, that Defendant Pascoe failed to protect 

Plaintiff from Defendant Oaks, and that Defendants Oaks, Pascoe, Riddle, Beer, Garcia, and 

Cubos failed to provide or summon medical care after the assault. (ECF Nos. 1, 10, 13, 25).

On April 5, 2022, the presiding District Judge granted Defendants’ motion to stay this 

action pending the resolution of the related state criminal proceedings. (ECF No. 53). Then, on 

August 25, 2023, in his state criminal case, Plaintiff entered into a mental health diversion

expected to last two years. (ECF No. 83 at 1). Pursuant to the Court’s orders, Defendants have 

filed four status reports noting that the criminal case has not been resolved. (ECF Nos. 62, 64, 

66). 

Case 1:21-cv-00155-KES-EPG Document 86 Filed 10/01/24 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

Now before the Court is Defendants’ fifth status report, stating that Plaintiff is continuing 

with his mental health diversion and requesting that the Court continue the stay. (ECF No. 83).

Plaintiff also filed a motion (ECF No. 84) asking the Court to reconsider lifting the stay, which 

Defendants oppose (ECF No. 85). Plaintiff does not include any argument in support of his 

request to lift the stay.

The District Judge imposed the stay in this case based on findings and recommendations 

concluding that the events at issue in the state criminal case appeared to be the same as those at 

issue here and noting that the outcome of the criminal case could affect the disposition of this 

case. (ECF Nos. 45, 53). Among other things, the Court noted that, if no stay were imposed, 

Defendants may be required to litigate a case subject to a Heck1bar defense, that staying the case 

would serve the interests of judicial economy given the overlapping facts, and there was not 

sufficient prejudice to Plaintiff from any resulting delay.

In their latest report, Defendants inform the Court that Plaintiff is still in compliance and 

the mental health diversion is continuing, meaning, Plaintiff’s criminal case has not yet been 

resolved. (ECF No. 83 at 1). Therefore, the Court declines to lift the stay at this time, finding that 

the relevant considerations still support a stay.

However, giving the evolving circumstances surrounding Plaintiff’s criminal case and 

mental health treatment, the Court will require a status report in six months regarding the status of 

the case.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED as follows:

1. The stay in this case continues.

2. Plaintiff’s motion to reconsider the stay in this case is DENIED. (ECF No. 84).

\\\

\\\

\\\

\\\

\\\

1 Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994).

Case 1:21-cv-00155-KES-EPG Document 86 Filed 10/01/24 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

3. By no later than April 1, 2025, or within fourteen days after the criminal case is 

resolved, whichever comes first, Defendants shall file a report concerning the 

status of Plaintiff’s criminal case and any other matters that might affect the stay.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 1, 2024 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:21-cv-00155-KES-EPG Document 86 Filed 10/01/24 Page 3 of 3