Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-01259/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-01259-3/pdf.json

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

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BILLY RAY FAIRCLOTH,

Plaintiff,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:16-cv-1259 CKD P

ORDER

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis. He has consented to 

have all matters in this action before a United States Magistrate Judge. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). 

ECF No. 4. On August 15, 2016, the court dismissed a complaint brought by plaintiff pursuant to 

42 U.S.C. § 1983, with leave to amend. Plaintiff has now filed a document titled “amended 

complaint.” 

The court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a 

governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The 

court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally 

“frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek 

monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2).

The court has reviewed plaintiff’s “amended complaint” and finds it nearly impossible to 

decipher. As best the court can tell, and it is not at all clear, it appears plaintiff is attempting to 

Case 2:16-cv-01259-CKD Document 16 Filed 10/21/16 Page 1 of 2
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challenge his conviction and sentence. If that is the case, his sole remedy in this court is a writ of 

habeas corpus. Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 500 (1973). For these reasons, the court will 

dismiss this action 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. Leave to amend a second time will not be granted as 

that appears futile.1

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s amended complaint is dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which 

relief can be granted; and

2. This case is closed.

Dated: October 21, 2016

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fair1259.dis

 

1

 If plaintiff does wish to challenge his conviction and sentence, he may wish to initiate an action 

seeking a writ of habeas corpus. The form used by California prisoners seeking federal habeas 

relief should be available in the law library at plaintiff’s prison. Plaintiff is advised, however, that 

any claim presented in a habeas action in this court must first be presented to and rejected by the 

California Supreme Court. See Picard v. Connor, 404 U.S. 270, 276 (1971); Middleton v. Cupp, 

768 F.2d 1083, 1086 (9th Cir. 1986). 

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:16-cv-01259-CKD Document 16 Filed 10/21/16 Page 2 of 2