Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-00405/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-00405-11/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

JUAN CARLOS MARTINEZ, 

Plaintiff,

v.

BEARD, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:14-cv-00405-DAD-JLT (PC)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE FAILURE 

TO TIMELY SERVE “JESSE A. LVN”

5-DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff filed this action on March 19, 2014. Though a number of defendants have 

appeared in this action, the defendant identified as “Jesse A. LVN” has not. To date, Plaintiff has 

not filed proof of service of the summons and Plaintiff’s operative pleading on Defendant “Jesse 

A., LVN” as required by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 4(l) and (m). Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 4(m) provides in part:

If a defendant is not served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, the court—

on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff—must dismiss the action 

without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a 

specified time. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court 

must extend the time for service for an appropriate period. 

It is possible that Plaintiff does not intend to pursue his claim against “Jesse A., LVN” --

particularly since his only allegations against this individual (see Doc. 31, ¶¶ 56, 57) are based on 

a verbal altercation, which is not actionable. See Oltarzewski v. Ruggiero, 830 F.2d 136, 139 (9th 

Cir. 1987) (mere verbal harassment or abuse, including the use of racial epithets, is not sufficient 

Case 1:14-cv-00405-DAD-JLT Document 84 Filed 02/03/17 Page 1 of 2
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to state a constitutional deprivation under section 1983); see also Gaut v. Sunn, 810 F.2d 923, 925 

(9th Cir. 1987) (threats do not rise to the level of a constitutional violation).

Accordingly, the Court ORDERS:

1. Within five days of service of this order issues Plaintiff SHALL show cause in

writing why “Jesse A., LVN” and all claims against him/her should not be dismissed without 

prejudice

2. Alternatively, within five days Plaintiff may file proof of service on “Jesse A. 

LVN” and explain why he failed to timely file proof of service of the summons and complaint as 

required by Rule 4(l)

3. Alternatively, within five days Plaintiff may file a notice of voluntary dismissal of 

his claims “Jesse A. LVN.”

Plaintiff is advised that if he fails to comply with this order, the Court will recommend 

dismissal of this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 2, 2017 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:14-cv-00405-DAD-JLT Document 84 Filed 02/03/17 Page 2 of 2