Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-05092/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-05092-3/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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 Although spelled “Aguillar” by plaintiff, the signature on the record provided by plaintiff indicates that

“Aguilar” is the correct spelling of defendant’s name. (Doc. 24, p. 6.)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TREVOR JOHNSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

D. HENSON, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:04-CV-5092-AWI-LJO-P

ORDER DIRECTING UNITED STATES

MARSHAL TO ATTEMPT RE-SERVICE ON

DEFENDANT AGUILAR WITHOUT

PREPAYMENT OF COSTS 

Plaintiff Trevor Johnson (“plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On August 25, 2004, the court

directed the United States Marshal to initiate service of process. (Doc. 11.) Service was not

executed on defendant Aguilar.1 The Marshal was informed that the institution employs numerous

individuals with the last name of Aguilar. (Doc. 13.) On November 8, 2004, the court ordered

plaintiff to show cause why defendant Aguilar should not be dismissed from this action based on

plaintiff’s failure to provide the Marshal with sufficient information to serve defendant. (Doc. 21.)

Plaintiff filed a response to the order on December 8, 2004. (Doc. 24.) 

The court and the Marshal have a statutory duty to service process on plaintiff’s behalf, and

the response given to the Marshal is insufficient to allow the court to discharge this duty on the

ground that defendant Aguillar cannot be identified. 28 U.S.C. 1915(d); Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(2). For

this reason, the court must direct the Marshal to re-attempt service on defendant Aguilar. Plaintiff

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has provided an inmate appeal bearing defendant Aguilar’s signature. The Marshal shall utilize the

appeal in an attempt to identify defendant Aguilar. If the institution is unable to identify defendant

Aguilar, the Marshal shall contact the Legal Affairs Division and request the assistance of a special

investigator. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk of the Court is directed to forward the following documents to the United

States Marshal:

(1) One completed and issued summons for each defendant to be served;

(2) One completed USM-285 form for each defendant to be served;

(3) One copy of the second amended complaint filed on April 16, 2004 for each

defendant to be served, plus an extra copy for the Marshal; 

(4) One copy of this order for each defendant to be served, plus an extra copy for

the Marshal;

(5) One copy of the court’s consent form for each defendant to be served; and

(6) One copy of plaintiff’s inmate appeal bearing defendant Aguilar’s

signature.

2. Within ten days from the date of this order, the United States Marshal is directed to

notify the following defendants of the commencement of this action and to request

a waiver of service in accordance with the provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d) and 28

U.S.C. § 566(c):

C/O AGUILAR - assigned to R&R at CSTAF on February 27, 2002

3. The U.S. Marshal is directed to retain the summons and a copy of the complaint in

their file for future use.

4. The United States Marshal shall file returned waivers of service as well as any

requests for waivers of service that are returned as undelivered as soon as they are

received. 

5. In attempting to identify and locate defendant Aguilar, the Marshal shall utilize

the inmate appeal bearing defendant’s signature, included with this order.

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6. In attempting to identify and locate defendant Aguilar, if the Litigation Office

at CSATF is unable to assist, the Marshal is directed to seek the assistance of the

Employment Office at CSATF, and, if necessary, contact the Legal Affairs

Division in Sacramento and request the assistance of a special investigator.

7. If a waiver of service is not returned by a defendant within sixty days of the date of

mailing the request for waiver, the United States Marshal shall:

a. Personally serve process and a copy of this order upon the defendant pursuant

to Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and 28 U.S.C. § 566(c) and

shall command all necessary assistance from the California Department of

Corrections (CDC) to execute this order. The United States Marshal shall

maintain the confidentiality of all information provided by the CDC pursuant

to this order. 

b. Within ten days after personal service is effected, the United States Marshal

shall file the return of service for the defendant, along with evidence of any

attempts to secure a waiver of service of process and of the costs

subsequently incurred in effecting service on said defendant. Said costs shall

be enumerated on the USM-285 form and shall include the costs incurred by

the Marshal's office for photocopying additional copies of the summons and

complaint and for preparing new USM-285 forms, if required. Costs of

service will be taxed against the personally served defendant in accordance

with the provisions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2).

8. In the event that defendant makes an appearance in this action by filing an answer,

dispositive motion, or other pleading, the U.S. Marshals Service need not personally

serve defendant.

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9. In the event that defendant either waives service or is personally served, defendant

is required to reply to the complaint. 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(g)(2).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 22, 2005 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

b9ed48 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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