Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_24-cv-02126/USCOURTS-caed-2_24-cv-02126-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 895
Nature of Suit: Freedom of Information Act of 1974
Cause of Action: 28:1983 Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

KRISTEN ERWIN, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY, 

Defendant. 

No. 2:24-cv-2126 DJC AC 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE 

 Plaintiff, appearing in pro se, filed a complaint and paid the filing fee on August 7, 2024. 

ECF No. 1. The same day, a summons and scheduling order was issued in this case ordering the 

plaintiff to serve a copy of the scheduling order and complete service of process within 90 days of 

filing the complaint. ECF Nos. 2, 3. Plaintiff was cautioned that failure to complete service 

within 90 days may result in dismissal pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 40(m). Id. On August 19, 

2024, plaintiff filed an affidavit of service. ECF No. 4. The affidavit indicated that indicated that 

Patriot Process Service served a paralegal at the Office of General Counsel for the Defense Health 

Agency at 7700 Arlington Blvd. in Falls Church, Virginia. ECF No. 4 at 2. Defendant has not 

appeared. 

 Plaintiff’s proof of service does not demonstrate that service has been properly completed. 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i) outlines the rule for serving the United States, as well as its 

agencies and employees. The Rule requires a plaintiff to take three steps: 

Case 2:24-cv-02126-DJC-AC Document 8 Filed 12/11/24 Page 1 of 3
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(A)(i) deliver a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the 

United States attorney for the district where the action is brought—

or to an assistant United States attorney or clerical employee whom 

the United States attorney designates in a writing filed with the court 

clerk—or (ii) send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to 

the civil-process clerk at the United States attorney’s office; 

(B) send a copy of each by registered or certified mail to the Attorney 

General of the United States at Washington, D.C.; and 

(C) if the action challenges an order of a nonparty agency or officer 

of the United States, send a copy of each by registered or certified 

mail to the agency or officer. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(1). The Attorney General has designated the Assistant Attorney General for 

Administration, Justice Management Division, to accept service of summonses and complaints. 

28 C.F.R. § 0.77(j). The U.S. Department of Justice is located at 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 

Washington, DC 20530-0001. Additionally, to sue a United States Agency such as the Defense 

Health Agency, “a party must serve the United States and also send a copy of the summons and 

of the complaint by registered or certified mail to the agency, corporation, officer, or employee.” 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(2) (emphasis added). 

 It is apparent the plaintiff has not followed the instructions in Rule 4(i). Accordingly, 

plaintiff is ORDERED to properly complete service. Plaintiff must file a notice with the court 

affirming that service has been properly completed. Local Rule 110 provides that failure to 

comply with court orders or the Local Rules may be grounds for imposition of any and all 

sanctions authorized by statute or Rule or within the inherent power of the Court. 

 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

1. Plaintiff is Ordered to Show Cause, in writing no later than December 30, 2024, why this 

action should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute; 

2. Plaintiff’s filing of proper proofs of service upon defendants will be deemed good cause 

shown; and 

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3. If plaintiff fails to comply with this order, the case will be dismissed without prejudice for 

failure to prosecute. 

DATED: December 11, 2024 

Case 2:24-cv-02126-DJC-AC Document 8 Filed 12/11/24 Page 3 of 3