Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01773/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01773-7/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

THOMAS GOOLSBY,

Plaintiff,

v.

GENTRY, et al., 

Defendants.

1:11cv01773 DLB PC

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S 

REQUEST FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT

(Document 35)

Plaintiff Thomas Goolsby (“Plaintiff”) is a prisoner in the custody of the California 

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (“CDCR”). Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in 

forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff filed this action on 

October 25, 2011.1 

On June 7, 2013, the Court issued an order finding service of the First Amended Complaint 

appropriate as to Defendants Gentry, Noyce, Eubanks, Tyree, Medrano, Holman, Holland, Steadman

and Gutierrez and requiring Plaintiff to return service documents within thirty days.

Plaintiff submitted service documents on July 18, 2013, and the Court directed the United 

States Marshal to serve Defendants by order dated July 19, 2013.

On December 6, 2013, Plaintiff filed a request for entry of default against Defendant 

Holman.

Plaintiff is correct that eight of the nine Defendants have been served and have appeared in 

this action. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on November 26, 2013, and the motion is pending.

 

1 On December 5, 2011, Plaintiff consented to the jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge.

Case 1:11-cv-01773-LJO-DLB Document 39 Filed 12/17/13 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff is also correct that Defendant Holman has not appeared in this action. However, 

contrary to Plaintiff’s contention, there is no evidence in the record that service has been effected on 

Defendant Holman, which would trigger his legal obligation to respond to Plaintiff’s First Amended 

Complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d), (e); Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). 

Pursuant to the waiver of service returned on December 3, 2013, all Defendants except for 

Defendant Holman were served by mail on September 27, 2013, and waived service. 

Plaintiff’s motion is therefore premature absent evidence that Defendant Holman was served 

and failed to respond.

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default is HEREBY DENIED. Fed. R. Civ. P. 

55(a). 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 17, 2013 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DEAC_Signature-END:

3b142a

Case 1:11-cv-01773-LJO-DLB Document 39 Filed 12/17/13 Page 2 of 2