Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00966/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00966-0/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TROY A. SYKES,

Plaintiff,

v.

AVENAL STATE PRISON, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.: 1:23-cv-00966-JLT-SKO (PC)

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO 

DISMISS CERTAIN CLAIMS AND 

DEFENDANTS

14-DAY OBJECTION PERIOD

Plaintiff Troy A. Sykes is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights 

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

I. INTRODUCTION

On September 16, 2024, the Court issued its Second Screening Order. (Doc. 12.) The 

Court found Plaintiff stated a cognizable Eighth Amendment claim against Defendant John Doe 

but failed to allege any other cognizable claim against any named defendant. (Id. at 4-9.) Plaintiff 

was directed to do one of the following within 21 days: (1) notify the Court he did not wish to file 

a second amended complaint and instead was willing to proceed only on the Eighth Amendment 

conditions of confinement claim against Defendant Doe, the remaining claims to be dismissed; or

(2) file a second amended complaint curing the deficiencies identified in the Court’s order, or (3) 

file a notice of voluntary dismissal. (Id. at 10.) 

//

Case 1:23-cv-00966-JLT-SKO Document 14 Filed 09/30/24 Page 1 of 2
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On September 26, 2024, Plaintiff filed a notice stating he wished to proceed only on the 

claim found cognizable by the Court. (See Doc. 13.) 

II. ORDER AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

As an initial matter, the Court DIRECTS the Clerk of the Court to update the docket for 

this action as follows:

1. Terminate “Avenal State Prison” and “Gavin Newsome” as these defendants were not 

named in Plaintiff’s first amended complaint; 

2. Add “John Doe” as a defendant on the docket as “John Doe (ASP Food Service Head 

Manager)” was named in Plaintiff’s first amended complaint.

Further, for the reasons set forth above, the Court RECOMMENDS that:

1. This action PROCEED only on Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment conditions of 

confinement claim against Defendant John Doe; 

2. Defendants Martin Gamboa, Hernandez (ASP Kitchen Staff), ASP Supervising 

Correctional Cooks, J. Moekly, H. Moseley, and A. Shimmin be DISMISSED from 

this action; and

3. Any remaining claims in Plaintiff’s first amended complaint be DISMISSED.

These Findings and Recommendations will be submitted to the district judge assigned to 

this case, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within 14 days of the date of service of these 

Findings and Recommendations, a party may file written objections with the Court. The 

document should be captioned, “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and 

Recommendations.” Failure to file objections within the specified time may result in waiver of 

rights on appeal. Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 839 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Baxter v. 

Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991)). 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 30, 2024 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-00966-JLT-SKO Document 14 Filed 09/30/24 Page 2 of 2