Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-01248/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-01248-12/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

Plaintiff Horace Bell is appearing pro se in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 

1983. 

On October 1, 2014, the Court issued an order directing Plaintiff to serve the first amended 

complaint on Defendants Heberling, Scheer, and Nesmith. (ECF No. 43.) However, Defendants 

Heberling and Scheer have already made an appearance in the action by way of removal from the 

Kings County Superior Court on July 27, 2012. Accordingly, the Court will vacate the service order 

as to Defendants Heberling and Scheer. Because Defendant Nesmith has not been served, the service 

order as to him remains in full force and effect.

On October 20, 2014, Plaintiff filed a motion to rescind the order directing him to serve 

Defendants and instead grant him in forma pauperis status allowing the U.S. Marshal to serve 

HORACE BELL,

 Plaintiff,

v.

S HEBERLING, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:12-cv-01248-AWI-SAB (PC)

ORDER VACATING OCTOBER 1, 2014, 

SERVICE ORDER, DIRECTING DEFENDANTS 

HEBERLING AND SCHEER TO FILE RESPONSE 

TO FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT WITHIN 

THIRTY DAYS, DENYING PLAINTIFF’S 

REQUEST TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS 

IN THIS ACTION, AND GRANTING 

PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF 

U.S.MARSHAL TO SERVE COMPLAINT

[ECF Nos. 43, 47, 48]

Case 1:12-cv-01248-AWI-SAB Document 50 Filed 12/17/14 Page 1 of 3
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Defendants. (ECF No. 47.) On December 1, 2014, Plaintiff filed a motion to proceed in forma 

pauperis. (ECF No. 48.) 

As Plaintiff was advised in the Court’s September 25, 2013, order, he is not entitled to proceed 

in forma pauperis in this action as he has suffered three or more strikes under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

(ECF No. 30, at 2, citing 1:10-cv-01762-SKO, Bell v. Lopez, et. al. (E.D. Cal.) (dismissed August 26, 

2011, for failure to state a claim); 2:10-cv-00421-UA-RC, Bell v. Harrington, et. al. (C.D. Cal) 

(dismissed February 4, 2010, as frivolous, malicious, or failure to state a claim); 2:09-cv-08808-UARC, Bell v. K. Harrington, et. al., (C.D. Cal.) (dismissed December 30, 2009, as frivolous/malicious). 

Accordingly, Plaintiff is not authorized to proceed in forma pauperis and his motion for such status 

must be denied. 

However, the Court will construe Plaintiff’s motion as a request pursuant to Rule 4(c) of the 

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to appoint the United States Marshal to serve the complaint on 

Defendant Nesmith. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(3) (“At the plaintiff’s request, the court may order that 

service be made by a United States marshal or deputy marshal . . . .) In the interest of justice and 

efficient administration of this case, the Court will grant Plaintiff’s request to appoint and order the 

United States Marshal to serve the complaint on Defendant Nesmith. 

Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Court’s October 1, 2014, is VACATED as to service of process upon Defendants 

Heberling and Scheer;

2. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, Defendants Heberling and 

Scheer shall file a response to Plaintiff’s first amended complaint, filed November 20, 

2013;

3. Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED;

4. Plaintiff’s request for the Court to order service on Defendant Nesmith by the United 

States Marshal is GRANTED; 

5. The Clerk of the Court shall send Plaintiff one (1) USM-285 form, one (1) summons, a 

Notice of Submission of Documents form, an instruction sheet and a copy of the First 

Amended Complaint filed November 20, 2013;

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6. Within thirty (30) days from the date of this order, Plaintiff shall complete the attached 

Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the completed Notice to the Court with 

the following documents:

a. One completed summons for Defendant Nesmsith;

b. One completed USM-285 form for Defendant Nesmith;

c. Two (2) copies of the endorsed First Amended Complaint filed November 20, 

2013; and

7. Plaintiff need not attempt service on the defendants and need not request waiver of 

service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the Court will direct the 

United States Marshal to serve Defendant Nesmith pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 4 without payment of costs.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 16, 2014 

 SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:12-cv-01248-AWI-SAB Document 50 Filed 12/17/14 Page 3 of 3