Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-00434/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-00434-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GUSTAVO MCKENZIE,

Plaintiff,

v.

E. BANUELOS, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:14-cv-00434 AWI DLB PC

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST 

FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT

[ECF No. 12]

Plaintiff Gustavo McKenzie (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On March 25, 2014, Defendant 

removed this action to federal court. 

On February 27, 2015, Plaintiff filed a request seeking default judgment. Fed. R. Civ. P. 

55(a). On March 3, 2015, Defendants filed an opposition to the motion for default. On March 4, 

2015, the Court denied the motion for default. Plaintiff was advised that the Court is required to 

screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or 

employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). Plaintiff was advised that the Court had

not yet screened the complaint. Therefore, Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment was denied as

premature.

On March 11, 2015, the Court dismissed the complaint with leave to amend. On April 8, 

2015, Plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint. Plaintiff also filed another request for entry of 

Case 1:14-cv-00434-AWI-DLB Document 16 Filed 04/22/15 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

default judgment. Plaintiff is again advised that default judgment is inappropriate in this matter. 

Plaintiff has filed a First Amended Complaint which has not yet been screened. Once the complaint 

is screened and if the Court finds cognizable claims are presented, then Defendants will be directed 

to answer the complaint. At the present time, Defendants are not required to plead or defend against 

the complaint.

ORDER

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment is

DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 22, 2015 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:14-cv-00434-AWI-DLB Document 16 Filed 04/22/15 Page 2 of 2