Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_09-cv-05540/USCOURTS-cand-5_09-cv-05540-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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C-09-5540-PVT

STIPULATION AND ORDER TO FILE FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

Joseph S. May SBN 245924

LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH S. MAY

22 Battery Street, Suite 810

San Francisco, CA 94111

Telephone (415) 781-3333

Facsimile (415) 398-1414

joseph@josephmaylaw.com

Attorney for Plaintiff

RAMON OBAS

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

RAMON OBAS,

Plaintiff,

v.

COUNTY OF MONTEREY; and DOES 1-

50, inclusive.

Defendants.

CASE NO.: C 09-5540-PVT

STIPULATION AND ORDER TO FILE

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

STIPULATION

The Parties hereby stipulate to Plaintiff’s filing of a First Amended Complaint in this

matter, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

DATED: April 10, 2010 LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH S. MAY

__________________________________________

Joseph S. May, Attorney for Plaintiff,

Ramon Obas

Case 5:09-cv-05540-LHK Document 20 Filed 04/13/10 Page 1 of 9
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C-09-5540-PVT

STIPULATION AND ORDER TO FILE FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

Dated: April 12, 2010 OFFICE OF THE COUNTY COUNSEL, 

COUNTY OF MONTEREY

__________________________________________

By: William M. Litt, Attorney for Defendant

Pursuant to General Order 45, §X(B), the filer of

this document attests that he has received the

concurrence of this signatory to file this document.

[PROPOSED] ORDER

It is HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff is granted leave to file a First Amended

Complaint, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto.

DATED:_____4/13/10_______ ___________________________________ PATRICIA V. TRUMBULL

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 5:09-cv-05540-LHK Document 20 Filed 04/13/10 Page 2 of 9
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C09-5540-PVT

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

Joseph S. May SBN 245924

LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH S. MAY

22 Battery Street, Suite 810

San Francisco, CA 94111

Telephone (415) 781-3333

Facsimile (415) 398-1414

joseph@josephmaylaw.com

Attorney for Plaintiff

RAMON OBAS

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

RAMON OBAS,

Plaintiff,

v.

COUNTY OF MONTEREY; CONAN

HICKEY; CHARLES R. WEST; RICHARD

RODRIGUEZ; JOHN JEFFERSON;

MICHAEL MUSCUTT; and DOES 1-50,

inclusive.

Defendants.

CASE NO.: C 09-5540-PVT

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

PLAINTIFF RAMON OBAS alleges as follows:

INTRODUCTION

1. This case involves the arrest by law enforcement officers in an unreasonable, reckless

and deliberately wrongful manner, causing Plaintiff to suffer serious and permanent injuries,

excruciating pain and suffering, and other damages. 

JURISDICTION

2. This action arises under 42 U.S.C. §1983 due to the alleged deprivation of Plaintiff’s

Constitutional rights under color of state law, and includes state law causes of action based on

the same factual allegations. This Court therefore has jurisdiction over the action pursuant to 28

U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1343, and 1367. 

Case 5:09-cv-05540-LHK Document 20 Filed 04/13/10 Page 3 of 9
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C09-5540-PVT

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

INTRA-DISTRICT ASSIGNMENT

3. The facts giving rise to this action all arose in Monterey County, California, making

the San Jose Division the proper assignment for this action. 

PARTIES

4. Plaintiff RAMON OBAS is an adult over the age of eighteen and at all times herein

alleged was and is a resident of Monterey County, California. 

5. Defendant COUNTY OF MONTEREY (hereafter “MONTEREY”) is a political

subdivision of the state of California. 

6. Defendant CONAN HICKEY is, and at all times relevant hereto was a Monterey

County Sheriff’s Office Deputy and a member of the Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force,

and is being sued herein in his individual and official capacities.

7. Defendant CHARLES R. WEST is, and at all times relevant hereto was a Monterey

County Sheriff’s Office Deputy and a member of the Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force,

and is being sued herein in his individual and official capacities.

8. Defendant RICHARD RODRIGUEZ is, and at all times relevant hereto was a

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant and a member of the Monterey County Joint Gang

Task Force, and is being sued herein in his individual and official capacities.

9. Defendant JOHN JEFFERSON is, and at all times relevant hereto was a Special Agent

with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and a member of the Monterey

County Joint Gang Task Force, and is being sued herein in his individual and official capacities.

10. Defendant MICHAEL MUSCUTT is, and at all times relevant hereto was an Officer

with the Salinas Police Department and a member of the Monterey County Joint Gang Task

Force, and is being sued herein in his individual and official capacities. 

11. Defendants DOE 1 through DOE 50, inclusive, are as yet unidentified law

enforcement officers, supervisors, or other personnel.

Case 5:09-cv-05540-LHK Document 20 Filed 04/13/10 Page 4 of 9
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C09-5540-PVT

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

12. Defendants DOE 1 through DOE 50, inclusive, are sued herein under fictitious

names. Their true names and capacities are unknown to Plaintiff. When their true names and

capacities are ascertained, Plaintiff will amend this complaint by inserting their true names and

capacities herein. Plaintiff is informed and believes and thereon alleges that each of the

fictitiously named defendants is responsible in some manner for the occurrences herein alleged,

and that Plaintiff’s damages as herein alleged were proximately caused by those defendants.

Each reference in this complaint to “defendant,” “defendants,” or a specifically named defendant

refers also to all defendants sued under fictitious names. 

13. Plaintiff is informed and believes and thereon alleges that at all times herein

mentioned each of the defendants, including all defendants sued under fictitious names, was the

agent and employee of each of the other defendants, and in doing the things hereinafter alleged,

was acting within the course and scope of such agency and employment. 

14. Defendants DOE 1 through DOE 50, in committing the acts and/or omissions herein

alleged, were acting under color of state law, and are being sued in both their individual and

official capacities. 

FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

15. On the night of October 23, 2008, Plaintiff was standing on the second floor balcony 

of the apartment complex located at 10525 Seymour Street, in Castroville, California, when he

noticed two men in plain clothes brandishing firearms rapidly coming up the stairs of the

building towards Plaintiff.

16. The two armed men did not announce their identities or the fact that they were law

enforcement officers. However, Plaintiff is currently informed and believes and thereon alleges

that these men were Defendants HICKEY and JEFFERSON.

17. Reasonably believing that the men were seeking to attack and kill him, and that his

life was in grave danger, Plaintiff leapt over the balcony railing onto the pavement below,

sustaining severe and permanent injuries to both of his legs.

Case 5:09-cv-05540-LHK Document 20 Filed 04/13/10 Page 5 of 9
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C09-5540-PVT

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

18. The two men, who turned out to be law enforcement officers, approached Plaintiff,

who was immobilized due to the fall, and placed Plaintiff under arrest. Eventually several more

law enforcement officers arrived at the scene.

19. Despite the severe injuries Plaintiff had suffered and his complaints consistent

therewith, the Defendant law enforcement officers turned away the emergency medical service

personnel who were dispatched to the scene.

20. Two of the Defendant officers at the scene forced Plaintiff to his feet, causing him to

collapse. The Defendant officers then dragged Plaintiff for several yards and placed him in a

patrol vehicle, whereupon they drove him to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, California for

treatment.

21. Plaintiff made diligent efforts to ascertain the identities of the individual officers

involved in the arrest, but was unable to do so due to the fact that according to the Monterey

County Sheriff’s Office and the Salinas Police Department, there are no incident reports

regarding Plaintiff’s arrest on October 23, 2008. However, Plaintiff is currently informed and

believes and thereon alleges that the officers who carried out the arrest and transport of Plaintiff

are the individual Defendants named herein. 

22. On April 20, 2009, Plaintiff submitted timely claims, in accordance with Cal. Gov.

Code §910 et seq., against MONTEREY and the City of Salinas. 

23. On April 30, 2009, the City of Salinas rejected the claim, indicating that the incident

occurred outside of the city limits, that it had no record of the alleged incident, and that

Plaintiff’s claim was not actually against the City of Salinas. However, the City of Salinas’s

rejection of Plaintiff’s claims materially misled Plaintiff as Plaintiff is currently informed and

believes and thereon alleges that one of the officers involved in Plaintiff’s arrest was Salinas

Police Officer Defendant MUSCUTT. 

24. On May 29, 2009, MONTEREY sent notice of rejection of Plaintiff’s Government

Claim. 

//

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C09-5540-PVT

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION - NEGLIGENCE

(Against Defendants MONTEREY, HICKEY, WEST, RODRIGUEZ, and MUSCUTT)

25. Plaintiff refers to paragraphs 1-24 of this Complaint and incorporates by

reference the allegations of said paragraphs as though expressly set forth at length at this point.

26. Defendants owed a duty to Plaintiff to use reasonable care in carrying out Plaintiff’s

arrest.

27. Under the circumstances of this case, the Defendant law enforcement officers who

rapidly approached Plaintiff with guns drawn, and without announcing themselves as law

enforcement officers, breached their respective duties of care. 

28. Under the circumstances of this case, the Defendant law enforcement officers who

denied emergency medical treatment to Plaintiff at the scene of the incident, and the Defendant

officers who attempted to force Plaintiff, who had just fallen from the second story of a building

and had suffered serious injuries to his legs, to stand and walk, all breached their respective

duties of care.

29. As a direct and proximate result of the actions of these Defendants, Plaintiff suffered

severe and permanent injuries and has sustained general and special damages in an amount

according to proof at trial. 

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for judgment as hereinafter set forth. 

SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION - BATTERY

(Against Defendants HICKEY, WEST, RODRIGUEZ, and MUSCUTT)

30. Plaintiff refers to paragraphs 1-29 of this Complaint and incorporates by

reference the allegations of said paragraphs as though expressly set forth at length at this point.

31. In doing the things alleged herein, Defendants acted with the intent to make a contact

with Plaintiff’s person, and in fact did make a harmful and offensive contact with Plaintiff’s. 

32. At no time did Plaintiff consent to any of the acts of Defendants alleged herein. 

33. The aforementioned conduct of Defendants was willful and malicious and was

intended to oppress and cause injury to Plaintiff, entitling Plaintiff to punitive damages. 

//

//

Case 5:09-cv-05540-LHK Document 20 Filed 04/13/10 Page 7 of 9
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C09-5540-PVT

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

34. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ conduct herein alleged, Plaintiff has

suffered severe and permanent physical damages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety,

monetary losses, and additional damages in an amount according to proof at trial.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for judgment as hereinafter set forth.

THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION – CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION [42 U.S.C. §1983]

(As to all Defendants)

35. Plaintiff refers to paragraphs 1-34 of this Complaint and incorporates by

reference the allegations of said paragraphs as though expressly set forth at length at this point.. 

36. In performing the acts and omissions alleged herein, Defendants acted (or failed to

act) under color of state law to deprive Plaintiff of his Constitutional rights, including, but not

limited to the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, secured by the Fourth and

Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. 

37. Defendants, and each of them, acted either intentionally to deprive Plaintiff of his

Constitutional rights or with deliberate indifference and/or reckless disregard for such rights. 

38. Defendant MONTEREY had a custom and/or informal policy of failing to supervise

and/or train its law enforcement officers, which failure directly resulted in the deprivation of

Plaintiff’s constitutional rights.

39. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ conduct alleged herein, Plaintiff has

suffered damages in an amount according to proof at trial. 

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for judgment as hereinafter set forth. 

PRAYER

WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFF prays for judgment against Defendants, jointly and

severally, for all causes of action, as follows:

1. For general and special damages, in an amount according to proof at trial; 

2. For punitive damages against those Defendants sued in their individual capacity; 

3. For reasonable attorney’s fees, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1988; 

//

//

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C09-5540-PVT

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

4. For costs of suit incurred in this action; 

5. For such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.

DATED: April ____, 2010 LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH S. MAY

____________________________________

Joseph S. May, Attorney for Plaintiff,

Ramon Obas 

Case 5:09-cv-05540-LHK Document 20 Filed 04/13/10 Page 9 of 9