Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01652/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01652-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 560
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Civil Detainee - Conditions of Confinement
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

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICHARD S. KINDRED,

Plaintiff,

v.

CLIFF ALLENBY, et al.,

Defendants.

CASE NO. 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-MJS (PC)

ORDER DISMISSING COMPLAINT WITH 

LEAVE TO AMEND

(ECF NO. 1)

AMENDED COMPLAINT DUE WITHIN 

THIRTY (30) DAYS

Plaintiff is a civil detainee proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil 

rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. His complaint is before the Court for 

screening.

I. SCREENING REQUIREMENT

The in forma pauperis statute provides, “Notwithstanding any filing fee, or any 

portion thereof, that may have been paid, the court shall dismiss the case at any time if 

the court determines that . . . the action or appeal . . . fails to state a claim upon which 

relief may be granted.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii).

II. PLEADING STANDARD

Section 1983 “provides a cause of action for the deprivation of any rights, 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 1 of 15
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

privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States.”

Wilder v. Virginia Hosp. Ass'n, 496 U.S. 498, 508 (1990) (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 1983).

Section 1983 is not itself a source of substantive rights, but merely provides a method for 

vindicating federal rights conferred elsewhere. Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 393-94 

(1989).

To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two essential elements: (1) 

that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was violated and (2) 

that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under the color of state law.

See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988); Ketchum v. Alameda Cnty., 811 F.2d 1243, 

1245 (9th Cir. 1987).

A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that 

the pleader is entitled to relief . . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations 

are not required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, 

supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 

662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). 

Plaintiff must set forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief 

that is plausible on its face.” Id. Facial plausibility demands more than the mere 

possibility that a defendant committed misconduct and, while factual allegations are 

accepted as true, legal conclusions are not. Id. at 677-78.

III. PLAINTIFF’S ALLEGATIONS

Plaintiff is detained at Coalinga State Hospital (“CSH”), where the acts giving rise 

to his complaint occurred. Plaintiff names as Defendants: (1) the California Department 

of State Hospitals, (2) Cliff Allenby, Director of the California Department of State 

Hospitals, (3) Audrey King, (4) Remi Smith, (5) Mathew Collins, (6) Jeanette Rivera, 

(7) Angela Padilla, (8) Guadalupa McKenzie, (9) Kenneth Underwood, (10) Marissa 

Bigot, (11) Paul Alkehougie, (12) Cinithia Martinez, (13) Angel Felix, (14) Jose 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 2 of 15
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

Lopez,(15) Edward Tongwa, (16) Jorge Zavala, (17) Kenneth Bell, (18) Tom Faina, (19) 

Daniel Wagoner, (20) Dr. Jeffrey Hasson, and (21) Doug Veit.

Plaintiff’s allegations may be summarized essentially as follows:

Plaintiff is a practicing Native American. Since May 2014, Defendants have 

interfered with and denied Plaintiff’s right to practice his “way of life” in violation of the 

First Amendment.

In May 2014, Defendant Bigot denied Plaintiff and other Native Americans the 

right to hold Sunrise Prayer Ceremonies even though other religions are allowed to 

continue this practice. Defendant Bigot retaliated against Plaintiff and other Native 

Americans who displayed sacred or spiritual items. Plaintiff was retaliated against for 

having a Dream Catcher hanging over his head, a common practice for Native 

Americans. Defendant Bigot ordered Defendant Rivera to confiscate Plaintiff’s spiritual 

rug. Defendant Felix desecrated Plaintiff’s medicine bag by attempting to confiscate it.

Defendants Allenby, King, Smith, Collins, Padilla, McKenzie, Underwood, 

Alkehougie, Martinez, Lopez, Tongwa, Zavala, and Bell participated in denying Plaintiff 

spiritual items that are approved by the California Department of State Hospitals and 

CSH and/or participated in retaliation against and harassment of Plaintiff.

Plaintiff also was denied his right to Due Process under the Fifth and Fourteenth 

Amendments as follows:

In July and September 2014, Plaintiff received spiritual packages from a 

recognized vendor of Native American spiritual items. Plaintiff was denied his items.

Plaintiff filed complaints with the California Office of Patient’s Rights. His 

complaints were not reviewed by the Office’s Advocates or Defendant King within the 

allotted time frame.

Defendants Smith, Collins, Bigot, Veit, Hasson, Zavala, and McKenzie interfered 

with Plaintiff’s ability to file Elder Abuse/Dependent Adult Abuse complaints. These 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 3 of 15
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

4

Defendants also refused to adhere to CSH administrative directives regarding “Denial of 

Rights” and the seizure of contraband property.

Defendants King and Michell1failed to investigate allegations of Elder/Dependent 

Adult Abuse as required under state law.

Defendant Rivera filed false police reports with the Department of Police Services 

to justify assaulting Plaintiff on August 29, 2014.

CSH failed to investigate and charge Defendant Bell with Elderly/Dependent Adult 

Abuse despite Defendant Bell’s continuous retaliation against Plaintiff for filing 

complaints. This was done to circumvent the “Statewide Contraband List.”

Plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, and compensatory and punitive 

damages.

IV. ANALYSIS

A. Improper Joinder of Unrelated Claims

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 18(a) allows a party to “join, as independent or 

alternative claims, as many claims as it has against an opposing party.” However, Rule 

20(a)(2) permits a plaintiff to sue multiple defendants in the same action only if “any right 

to relief is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative with respect to or 

arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or 

occurrences,” and there is a “question of law or fact common to all defendants.” “Thus 

multiple claims against a single party are fine, but Claim A against Defendant 1 should 

not be joined with unrelated Claim B against Defendant 2. Unrelated claims against 

different defendants belong in different suits . . .” See George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 

607 (7th Cir.2007) (citing 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g)).

Plaintiff attempts to bring several unrelated claims in this action. Based on the 

minimal facts alleged, it is unclear whether Plaintiff’s claims regarding his Native 

American practices arise out of the same transaction or occurrence or raise a common 

 

1

Plaintiff did not identify Michell as a Defendant.

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 4 of 15
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

5

question of law or fact. Furthermore, these claims plainly do not arise out of the same 

transaction or occurrence as Plaintiff’s allegations that certain Defendants interfered with 

his ability to file administrative grievances or legal claims, his allegations regarding 

Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse, or his allegations regarding false police reports. Plaintiff 

may not bring all of these claims in a single action.

Plaintiff will be given leave to amend. If he chooses to do so, he must proceed in 

this action only on those claims against different Defendants that arise out of the same 

transaction or occurrence, or that involve a common question of law or fact. The 

remainder of the screening order will address the legal standards applicable to what 

appear to be Plaintiff’s claims.

B. Linkage

Under § 1983, Plaintiff must demonstrate that each named defendant personally 

participated in the deprivation of his rights. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 676-77 (2009); Simmons 

v. Navajo Cnty., Ariz., 609 F.3d 1011, 1020-21 (9th Cir. 2010); Ewing v. City of Stockton, 

588 F.3d 1218, 1235 (9th Cir. 2009); Jones v. Williams, 297 F.3d 930, 934 (9th Cir. 

2002). Liability may not be imposed on supervisory personnel under the theory of 

respondeat superior, as each defendant is only liable for his or her own misconduct. 

Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676-77; Ewing, 588 F.3d at 1235. Supervisors may only be held liable 

if they “participated in or directed the violations, or knew of the violations and failed to act 

to prevent them.” Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir. 1989); accord Starr v. 

Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1205-08 (9th Cir. 2011); Corales v. Bennett, 567 F.3d 554, 570 

(9th Cir. 2009); Preschooler II v. Clark Cnty. Sch. Bd. of Trs., 479 F.3d 1175, 1182 (9th 

Cir. 2007); Harris v. Roderick, 126 F.3d 1189, 1204 (9th Cir. 1997).

Plaintiff alleges that Defendants Allenby, King, Smith, Collins, Padilla, McKenzie, 

Underwood, Alkehougie, Martinez, Lopez, Tonga, Zavala, and Bell denied Plaintiff 

spiritual items and/or participated in retaliation against and harassment of Plaintiff. This 

allegation is insufficient to link the Defendants to any unconstitutional conduct. Plaintiff 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 5 of 15
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

6

must allege specific facts that identify how each Defendant personally participated in the 

denial of his rights, or knew of the violations and failed to act.

Additionally, Plaintiff does not identify which Defendants, if any, were responsible 

for denying him spiritual packages. Nor does he identify how Defendants Smith, Collins, 

Bigot, Veit, Hasson, Zavala, and McKenzie interfered with his ability to file Elder 

Abuse/Dependent Adult Abuse complaints or improperly seized Plaintiff’s property.

Lastly, Plaintiff lists no factual allegations concerning Defendants Faina and Wagoner. 

Plaintiff has not alleged how these Defendants personally participated in the 

deprivation of his rights. If Plaintiff chooses to file an amended complaint he must link 

each named defendant to his claims.

C. Eleventh Amendment Immunity

Plaintiff has named the California Department of State Hospitals as a Defendant. 

However, the Eleventh Amendment erects a general bar against federal lawsuits brought 

against the state. Wolfson v. Brammer, 616 F.3d 1045, 1065-66 (9th Cir. 2010) (citation 

omitted). While “[t]he Eleventh Amendment does not bar suits against a state official for 

prospective relief,” id. at 1066, suits against the state or its agencies are barred 

absolutely, regardless of the form of relief sought, e.g., Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. 

Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 100 (1984). Thus, Plaintiff may not maintain a claim against the 

California Department of State Hospitals.

D. Free Exercise

Civil detainees retain the protections afforded by the First Amendment, including 

the right to freely practice their religion. See O’Lone v. Estate of Shabazz, 482 U.S. 347, 

348 (1987) (citations omitted); see also Youngberg v. Romero, 457 U.S. 307, 322 (1982) 

(holding civilly detained persons must be afforded “more considerate treatment and 

conditions of confinement than criminals whose conditions of confinement are designed 

to punish”). In order to establish a cause of action under the Free Exercise Clause, 

Plaintiff must show that a restriction substantially burdened the practice of his religion by 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 6 of 15
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

7

preventing him from engaging in conduct which he sincerely believes is consistent with 

his faith. Shakur v. Schriro, 514 F.3d 878, 884-85 (9th Cir. 2008). Additionally, Plaintiff 

must show that the restriction is not required to maintain institutional security and 

preserve internal order and discipline. See Pierce v. Cnty. of Orange, 562 F.3d 1190, 

1209 (9th Cir. 2008).

Plaintiff has alleged insufficient facts for the Court to determine whether he has 

suffered a Free Exercise violation. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Bigot denied him the 

right to hold Sunrise Prayer Ceremonies, retaliated against him for displaying spiritual 

items, and ordered that his spiritual rug be confiscated. He also alleges that Defendant 

Rivera confiscated his spiritual rug and Defendants Felix attempted to confiscate his 

medicine bag. Finally, he alleges that numerous Defendants denied him spiritual items or 

packages, retaliated against him and harassed him. However, Plaintiff has not alleged 

that any of this conduct substantially burdened the exercise of his religion. Nor has he 

presented facts to show that the Defendants’ conduct was not required to maintain 

institutional security or to preserve internal order and discipline. Lastly, Plaintiff’s 

conclusory allegations of harassment and retaliation leave the Court no basis for 

determining whether the practice of Plaintiff’s religion was burdened. 

If Plaintiff chooses to amend, he must allege facts to show that the practice of his 

religion was substantially burdened by Defendants’ conduct, and that their conduct was 

not required to maintain institutional security or preserve internal order and discipline.

E. Equal Protection

Plaintiff alleges he was denied the right to perform Sunrise Prayer Ceremonies

even though other religions were allowed to do so. In this regard, Plaintiff may intend to 

allege an Equal Protection claim. 

The Equal Protection Clause requires that persons who are similarly situated be 

treated alike. City of Cleburne, Tex. v. Cleburne Living Ctr., Inc., 473 U.S. 432, 439 

(1985). An equal protection claim may be established by showing that the defendant 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 7 of 15
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

8

intentionally discriminated against the plaintiff based on the plaintiff's membership in a 

protected class, Serrano v. Francis, 345 F.3d 1071, 1082 (9th Cir. 2003), Lee v. City of 

Los Angeles, 250 F.3d 668, 686 (9th Cir. 2001), or that similarly situated individuals were 

intentionally treated differently without a rational relationship to a legitimate state 

purpose, Village of Willowbrook v. Olech, 528 U.S. 562, 564 (2000); see also Lazy Y 

Ranch Ltd. v. Behrens, 546 F.3d 580, 592 (9th Cir. 2008); North Pacifica LLC v. City of 

Pacifica, 526 F.3d 478, 486 (9th Cir. 2008). To allege a religious discrimination claim, 

Plaintiff must allege facts sufficient to show that prison officials intentionally discriminated 

against him on the basis of his religion by failing to provide him a reasonable opportunity 

to pursue his faith compared to other similarly situated religious groups. Cruz v. Beto, 

405 U.S. 319, 321-22 (1972) (per curiam).

Plaintiff has not alleged that any of the Defendants intentionally discriminated 

against him on the basis of his religion or that he was not provided a reasonably 

opportunity to pursue his faith compared to other similarly situated religious groups. 

Although Plaintiff alleges that he was prevented from engaging in Sunrise Prayer 

Ceremonies that were permitted for other groups, he has not stated whether he was 

provided other reasonably opportunities to pursue his faith. 

F. Retaliation

Plaintiff alleges he was retaliated against in relation to practicing his Native 

American “way of life.” He also alleges that Defendant Bell retaliated against him for 

filing complaints.

“[A] viable claim of First Amendment retaliation entails five basic elements: (1) An 

assertion that a state actor took some adverse action against an inmate (2) because of 

(3) that prisoner’s protected conduct, and that such action (4) chilled the inmate’s 

exercise of his First Amendment rights, and (5) the action did not reasonably advance a 

legitimate correctional goal.” Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567-68 (9th Cir. 2005).

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 8 of 15
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

9

The second element focuses on causation and motive. See Brodheim v. Cry, 584 

F.3d 1262, 1271 (9th Cir. 2009). A plaintiff must show that his protected conduct was a 

“‘substantial’ or ‘motivating’ factor behind the defendant’s conduct.” Id. (quoting 

Sorrano’s Gasco, Inc. v. Morgan, 874 F.2d 1310, 1314 (9th Cir. 1989). Although it can 

be difficult to establish the motive or intent of the defendant, a plaintiff may rely on 

circumstantial evidence. Bruce, 351 F.3d at 1289 (finding that a prisoner established a 

triable issue of fact regarding prison officials’ retaliatory motives by raising issues of 

suspect timing, evidence, and statements); Hines v. Gomez, 108 F.3d 265, 267-68 (9th 

Cir. 1997); Pratt v. Rowland, 65 F.3d 802, 808 (9th Cir. 1995) (“timing can properly be 

considered as circumstantial evidence of retaliatory intent”).

In terms of the third prerequisite, filing a grievance is a protected action under the 

First Amendment. Valandingham v. Bojorquez, 866 F.2d 1135, 1138 (9th Cir. 1989). 

With respect to the fourth prong, “[it] would be unjust to allow a defendant to 

escape liability for a First Amendment violation merely because an unusually determined 

plaintiff persists in his protected activity . . . .” Mendocino Envtl. Ctr. v. Mendocino Cnty., 

192 F.3d 1283, 1300 (9th Cir. 1999). The correct inquiry is to determine whether an 

official’s acts would chill or silence a person of ordinary firmness from future First 

Amendment activities. Rhodes, 408 F.3d at 568-69 (citing Mendocino Envtl. Ctr., 192 

F.3d at 1300).

With respect to the fifth prong, a prisoner must affirmatively allege that “‘the prison 

authorities’ retaliatory action did not advance legitimate goals of the correctional 

institution or was not tailored narrowly enough to achieve such goals.” Rizzo v. Dawson, 

778 F.2d 527, 532 (9th Cir. 1985). 

Plaintiff does not specify in any way how he was retaliated against. The Court is 

unable to discern whether he was subject to any adverse action that would chill a person 

of ordinary firmness. Additionally, Plaintiff has supplied no facts from which it may be 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 9 of 15
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

10

inferred that any such adverse action was taken because of Plaintiff’s protected First 

Amendment activities or that such action did not advance legitimate correctional goals.

Plaintiff will be given leave to amend.

G. Due Process

Plaintiff states his intent to bring a Due Process claim under both the Fifth and the 

Fourteenth Amendments. “[T]he Fifth Amendment’s due process clause only applies to 

the federal government.” Bingue v. Prunchak, 512 F.3d 1169, 1174 (9th Cir. 2008).

Because all of the named Defendants appear to be state officials, the Court will analyze 

Plaintiff’s claims under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Plaintiff appears to allege that his Due Process rights were violated when (1) his 

spiritual packages were denied; (2) his complaints to the California Office of Patient’s 

Rights were not timely reviewed, and (3) a false police report was filed against him.

The Due Process Clause protects prisoners from being deprived of property 

without due process of law. Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539, 556 (1974). While the

deprivation of property pursuant to an established government procedure is actionable 

under the Due Process Clause, Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U.S. 517, 532 (1984) (citing 

Logan v. Zimmerman Brush Co., 455 U.S. 422, 435–36 (1982)),2neither negligent nor 

unauthorized intentional deprivations of property by a governmental employee 

“constitute a violation of the procedural requirements of the Due Process Clause of the 

Fourteenth Amendment if a meaningful post deprivation remedy for the loss is available.” 

Hudson, 468 U.S. at 533; see also Raditch v. United States, 929 F.2d 478, 481 (9th Cir. 

1991) (“Although Hudson involved § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment, the same 

due process principles apply to the federal government through the Fifth Amendment.”). 

Plaintiff has not alleged sufficient facts for the Court to determine whether the 

denial of his spiritual packages was pursuant to an established government procedure or 

 

2

An authorized deprivation is one carried out pursuant to established state procedures, regulations, or 

statutes. Piatt v. McDougall, 773 F.2d 1032, 1036 (9th Cir.1985); see also Knudson v. City of Ellensburg, 

832 F.2d 1142, 1149 (9th Cir.1987). 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 10 of 15
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

11

the result of negligent, or intentional but unauthorized conduct of any of the Defendants. 

Assuming the latter, such an unauthorized, intentional deprivation of property requires 

that Plaintiff be provided a meaningful post-deprivation remedy. California law provides a 

post-deprivation remedy for Plaintiff’s property deprivation. Barnett v. Centoni, 31 F.3d 

813, 816-17 (9th Cir. 1994).

Plaintiff’s allegation that his complaints to the California Office of Patient’s Rights 

were not timely reviewed does not state a Due Process claim. “The Fourteenth 

Amendment’s Due Process Clause protects persons against deprivations of life, liberty, 

or property; and those who seek to invoke its procedural protection must establish that 

one of these interests is at stake.” Wilkinson v. Austin, 545 U.S. 209, 221 (2005). 

Plaintiff does not a have protected liberty interest in processing administrative 

complaints, and therefore, he cannot pursue a claim for denial of due process with 

respect to the handling or resolution of those complaints. See Ramirez v. Galaza, 334 

F.3d 850, 860 (9th Cir. 2003) (citing Mann v. Adams, 855 F.2d 639, 640 (9th Cir. 1988)).

Plaintiff’s allegation that Defendant Rivera filed a false police report against him 

also is insufficient to state a claim. The Ninth Circuit has recognized “a clearly 

established constitutional due process right not to be subjected to criminal charges on 

the basis of false evidence that was deliberately fabricated by the government.” 

Devereaux v. Abbey, 263 F.3d 1070, 1074-75 (9th Cir. 2001); see also Costanich v. 

Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 627 F.3d 1101, 1111-12 (9th Cir. 2010) (relying on 

Devereaux to hold that a state investigator “who deliberately mischaracterizes witness 

statements in her investigative report also commits a constitutional violation”). To state 

such a claim, Plaintiff must point to evidence that supports at least one of the following 

two propositions: “(1) Defendants continued their investigation of [Plaintiff] despite the 

fact that they knew or should have known that he was innocent; or (2) Defendants used 

investigative techniques that were so coercive and abusive that they knew or should 

have known that those techniques would yield false information.” Devereaux, 263 F.3d 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 11 of 15
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

12

at 1076. Plaintiff has not alleged such facts, nor has he alleged whether he was 

subjected to criminal charges. 

H. Access to Courts

Plaintiff alleges Defendants Smith, Collins, Bigot, Veit, Hasson, Zavala, and 

McKenzie interfered with Plaintiff’s ability to file Elder Abuse/Dependent Adult Abuse 

complaints. It is unclear whether the complaints Plaintiff refers to were administrative or 

intended to be filed in Court. Nevertheless, the Court will provide Plaintiff the legal 

standard for a First Amendment Access to Courts claim. 

Plaintiff has a fundamental right of access to the courts. Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 

343, 346 (1996). The right is limited to direct criminal appeals, habeas petitions, and civil 

rights actions. Id. at 354. Claims for denial of access to the courts may arise from the 

frustration or hindrance of “a litigating opportunity yet to be gained” (forward-looking 

access claim) or from the loss of a meritorious suit that cannot now be tried (backwardlooking claim). Christopher v. Harbury, 536 U.S. 403, 412-15 (2002). A plaintiff must 

show that he suffered an “actual injury” by being shut out of court. Lewis, 518 U.S. at 

350-51. An “actual injury” is one that hinders the plaintiff’s ability to pursue a legal claim. 

Id. at 351. 

I. State Law Claims

The Court will not exercise supplemental jurisdiction over any state law claim 

absent a cognizable federal claim. 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a); Herman Family Revocable Trust 

v. Teddy Bear, 254 F.3d 802, 805 (9th Cir. 2001); see also Gini v. Las Vegas Metro. 

Police Dep’t, 40 F.3d 1041, 1046 (9th Cir. 1994). “When . . . the court dismisses the 

federal claim leaving only state claims for resolution, the court should decline jurisdiction 

over the state claims and dismiss them without prejudice.” Les Shockley Racing v. 

National Hot Rod Ass’n, 884 F.2d 504, 509 (9th Cir. 1989).

Because Plaintiff has not alleged any cognizable federal claims, the Court will not 

exercise supplemental jurisdiction over his state law claim. Plaintiff may amend his state 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 12 of 15
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

13

law claims, but if he fails to allege a viable federal claim in his amended complaint, the 

Court will not exercise supplemental jurisdiction over his state law claims. 28 U.S.C. § 

1367(a); Herman Family Revocable Trust, 254 F.3d at 805. The Court herein will 

address what appear to be Plaintiff’s intended state law claims. 

Plaintiff states that administrative directives regarding “Denial of Rights” and the 

seizure of contraband were not followed. Plaintiff has not identified the directives he 

believes were not followed. In any event, administrative directives governing the conduct 

of CSH officials do not necessarily entitle a detainee to sue civilly for their violation. 

Plaintiff has cited no authority to support a finding of an implied private right of action for 

violation of such directives, and the Court finds none.

Plaintiff appears to reference the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil 

Protection Act (“Act”). See Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15600 et seq. The Act provides for 

liability for physical abuse or neglect where the defendant acted with recklessness, 

oppression, fraud or malice in the commission of the abuse. See Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code

§ 15657. Plaintiff fails to demonstrate applicability of the Act. He does not allege facts 

that he is an “elder” or “dependent adult”, see Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15610.23, 

15610.27; that he suffered physical or mental harm or was deprived of necessities to 

avoid such harm, see Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.07; and that he has standing to 

enforce the Act, see Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15600(i)(j), 15656 15657-15657.8. 

Plaintiff's conclusory allegations fail to allege a violation of the Act and therefore fail to 

state a claim.

V. CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Plaintiff’s Complaint does not state a claim for relief. The Court will grant Plaintiff 

an opportunity to file an amended complaint. Noll v. Carlson, 809 F.2d 1446, 1448-49 

(9th Cir. 1987). If Plaintiff opts to amend, he must demonstrate that the alleged acts 

resulted in a deprivation of his constitutional rights. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 677-78. Plaintiff 

must set forth “sufficient factual matter . . . to ‘state a claim that is plausible on its face.’” 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 13 of 15
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

14

Id. at 678 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555 (2007)). Plaintiff must also demonstrate 

that each named Defendant personally participated in a deprivation of his rights. Jones 

v. Williams, 297 F.3d 930, 934 (9th Cir. 2002).

Plaintiff should note that although he has been given the opportunity to amend, it 

is not for the purposes of adding new claims. George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 607 (7th 

Cir. 2007). Plaintiff should carefully read this Screening Order and focus his efforts on 

curing the deficiencies set forth above.

Finally, Plaintiff is advised that Local Rule 220 requires that an amended 

complaint be complete in itself without reference to any prior pleading. As a general rule, 

an amended complaint supersedes the original complaint. See Loux v. Rhay, 375 F.2d 

55, 57 (9th Cir. 1967). Once an amended complaint is filed, the original complaint no 

longer serves any function in the case. Therefore, in an amended complaint, as in an 

original complaint, each claim and the involvement of each defendant must be 

sufficiently alleged. The amended complaint should be clearly and boldly titled “First 

Amended Complaint,” refer to the appropriate case number, and be an original signed 

under penalty of perjury. Plaintiff's amended complaint should be brief. Fed. R. Civ. P. 

8(a). Although accepted as true, the “[f]actual allegations must be [sufficient] to raise a 

right to relief above the speculative level . . . .” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555 (citations 

omitted).

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk’s Office shall send Plaintiff (1) a blank civil rights complaint form and 

(2) a copy of his complaint, filed October 22, 2014;

2. Plaintiff’s complaint (ECF No. 1) is dismissed for failure to state a claim upon 

which relief may be granted;

3. Plaintiff shall file an amended complaint within thirty (30) days; and if Plaintiff 

fails to file an amended complaint in compliance with this order, the Court will 

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 14 of 15
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

15

dismiss this action, with prejudice, for failure to state a claim and failure to 

comply with a court order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 29, 2015 /s/Michael J. Seng 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:14-cv-01652-AWI-JDP Document 8 Filed 04/29/15 Page 15 of 15