Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-01046/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-01046-7/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

ROBERTO JOHNSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

KERN COUNTY JAIL, et al.,

Defendants.

1:22-cv-01046-KES-SKO (PC) 

ORDER DIRECTING UNITED STATES 

MARSHAL TO ATTEMPT RE-SERVICE 

OF DEFENDANT FRYE 

Plaintiff Roberto Johnson is a former county jail and current state prison inmate

proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

The action proceeds on Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment failure to protect claim against Defendant 

Frye. 

I. RELEVANT BACKGROUND

On October 27, 2023, this Court issued its Order Finding Service Appropriate and 

Forwarding Service Documents to Plaintiff for Completion and Return. (Doc. 16.) 

Plaintiff submitted service documents on January 10, 2024. (Doc. 21.) The United States 

Marshals Service was directed to serve the summons and complaint on Defendant Frye, and the 

order identified Defendant Frye as follows: “Kern County Deputy Sheriff Frye, Badge No. 

1572.” (Doc. 22, emphasis in original.) 

On March 26, 2024, the United States Marshals Service filed its USM-285 form indicating 

service on Defendant Frye could not be effected. (Doc. 24.) The United States Marshals Service 

was advised by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office that “Deputy Frye has not worke[d] there since 

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2021.”1(Id.) 

On March 29, 2024, this Court issued its Order To Show Cause (“OSC”) Why Defendant 

Frye Should Not Be Dismissed From This Action For Failure To Provide Sufficient Information 

To Effect Service. (Doc. 25.) Plaintiff was ordered to respond to the OSC within 30 days. (Id. at 

3.) On April 15, 2024, Plaintiff filed a written response to the OSC. (Doc. 26.) 

On April 16, 2024, the Court issued its Order Discharging Order to Show Cause and 

Order Extending Deadline Within Which Plaintiff May Submit Additional Identifying 

Information Regarding Defendant Frye. (Doc. 27.) Plaintiff was to provide any additional 

information within 21 days. (Id. at 4.) Plaintiff filed a document titled “Plaintiff’s Reply to 

Additional Identifying Information Regarding Defendant Frye” on April 29, 2024. (Doc. 28.) 

II. DISCUSSION

In his reply, Plaintiff describes Defendant Frye as “5’8”, Hispanic, black short hair, 

weight approximately 200lbs, brown eyes and physical characteristics, he’s buff, like he lifts 

weights.” (See Doc. 28.) Because Plaintiff provided additional information that may be helpful in 

identifying and/or locating Defendant Frye, the Court will direct the United States Marshals 

Service to reattempt service of Defendant Frye. The United States Marshals Service shall seek to 

obtain a forwarding or current address for Defendant Frye2and shall employ Plaintiff’s 

description of Defendant Frye should it prove useful in locating Frye for service of process. 

III. CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Following submission of additional identifying information provided by Plaintiff (Doc. 

28), the United States Marshals Service will be directed to attempt to serve the summons and 

complaint upon Defendant Frye, formerly employed by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and 

purportedly assigned Badge No. 1572, using the information provided by Plaintiff and/or any 

1 The events leading up to Plaintiff allegedly contracting COVID-19 on February 13, 2021, give rise to his 

claims against Defendant Frye in this action. (See Doc. 10.)

2

It is unclear from USM-285 form filed March 26, 2024, whether a forwarding address for Defendant Frye 

was sought from, or available to, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at the time service of Frye was 

originally attempted. (See Doc. 24.)

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forwarding address or current address information potentially available from the Kern County 

Sheriff’s Office. 

Accordingly, and for the reasons stated above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk of the Court SHALL provide the United States Marshal with a copy of the

complaint, the summons, the Order issued January 10, 2024, Plaintiff’s filing of April

29, 2024 (Doc. 28), and this order;

2. The United States Marshal SHALL serve process of the complaint, the summons, and

this order upon Defendant Frye pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 and 28 U.S.C. § 566(c).

Within 10 days of personal service, the United States Marshal shall file the return of

service, along with the costs subsequently incurred in effecting service. These costs

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

United States Marshal for photocopying the summons and complaint and for preparing

new USM-285 forms, if required. Costs of service will be taxed against each

personally served defendant in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

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

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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