Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01655/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01655-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 42:2000 Job Discrimination (Age)

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Plaintiff, Kevin Franken, is proceeding pro se in this action bringing claims against 

Defendant, Ryan D. McCarthy, the Secretary of the Department of Army (ECF No. 1). For the 

reasons below, the Court orders Plaintiff to show cause why this action should not be dismissed

without prejudice for failure to timely complete service on Defendant.

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m), “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.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m). However, “if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, 

the court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period.” Id.

 

1 Ryan D. McCarthy is now the Secretary of the Department of Army and is automatically substituted as a party 

pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d).

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KEVIN FRANKEN,

Plaintiff,

v.

RYAN D. MCCARTHY,

1 Secretary, 

Department of Army,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:19-cv-01655-AWI-EPG

ORDER FOR PLAINTIFF TO SHOW 

CAUSE WHY THE COURT SHOULD

NOT ISSUE FINDINGS AND 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

RECOMMENDING THAT THIS CASE 

BE DISMISSED WITHOUT 

PREJUDICE FOR FAILURE TO 

COMPLETE SERVICE ON 

DEFENDANT PURSUANT TO 

FEDERAL RULE OF CIVIL 

PROCEDURE 4(M)

Case 1:19-cv-01655-AWI-EPG Document 16 Filed 02/11/20 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff initiated this action with the filing of his complaint on May 24, 2019 (ECF 

No. 1). Plaintiff filed a return of service on October 9, 2019 (ECF No. 5). However, after a review 

of the return of service, it appears that Plaintiff has failed to comply with the requirements for 

serving Defendant, who is an officer of the United States. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i) (setting out 

requirements for serving the United States and its agencies, corporations, officers, or employees); 

(ECF No. 5 (return of service)); (ECF No. 14 n.1 (Defendant’s special appearance stating that 

service has not been completed)).

Accordingly, Plaintiff is ORDERED to show cause why this action should not be 

dismissed without prejudice for failure to timely serve Defendant as required under Federal Rule 

of Civil Procedure 4(m). Plaintiff shall file, no later than February 25, 2020, either: (1) a return 

of service showing that service on Defendant has been completed; or (2) a response to this Order 

to Show Cause otherwise demonstrating the Plaintiff has completed service on Defendant as 

required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 or has good cause for failing to complete service.

Plaintiff is cautioned that failure to respond to this Order to Show Cause may result in the 

dismissal of this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 11, 2020 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-01655-AWI-EPG Document 16 Filed 02/11/20 Page 2 of 2