Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01887/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01887-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Bivens Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JONATHAN LEE RICHES, )

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Plaintiff, )

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v. )

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KEN FOLLET, )

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Defendant. )

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1:07-CV-1887 OWW WMW P

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Plaintiff Jonathan Lee Riches (“Plaintiff”) is currently incarcerated at FCI Williamsburg

and filed the instant action on December 27, 2007. A review of the docket reveals that Plaintiff

has filed over 30 actions in the Fresno and Sacramento division of this Court since October 2007. 

In fact, Plaintiff has inundated federal courts across the County with meritless litigation in recent

years. He did not file an application to proceed in forma pauperis or pay the $350.00 filing fee. 

A review of his complaint reveals that it is patently frivolous and fails to state any

colorable claim to invoke this Court’s jurisdiction. His complaint, which names author Ken

Follet, is one paragraph long and contains absurd statements such as “I’ve been a bookworm

since 1984 bookies and bookbinders I can’t have. I booked a hotel at priceline.com.” It is clear 

that his complaint is nothing more than an abuse of the judicial process.

Indeed, other courts have dismissed Plaintiff’s actions outright. For example, in the

Middle District of Florida, Plaintiff has been restricted from filing any civil complaints without

payment of the full statutory filing fee. The Clerk was directed to refuse any complaint filed by

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Plaintiff that was not accompanied by the filing fee. In so ruling, United States District Judge 1

Gregory A. Presnell explained:

It is not clear whether these outlandish pleadings are products of actual mental illness or

simply a hobby akin to short story writing. Whatever their origin, and though they are

amusing to the average reader, they do nothing more than clog the machinery of justice,

interfering with the court’s ability to address the needs of the genuinely aggrieved. It is

time for them to stop.

Riches v. Simpson, et al., 6:07cv1504-Orl-31KRS, Order of Court dated Sep. 24, 2007.

A review of Plaintiff’s actions before this Court compel a finding that he should be

similarly restricted in his filings here. In addition to this action, Plaintiff has filed an action

requesting a restraining order against Dan Rather, alleging in part that Mr. Rather told him that if

he didn’t agree to “having [his] story on his show, he is going to send British Dr. Harold

Shipman to FCI Williamsburg and inject my brain with antifreeze and brake fluid to make me

submissive to Jewish Broadcasting.” Riches v. Rather, 1:07cv1523 LJO GSA, Complaint, at 2. 

In another action, Plaintiff sues Arizona Wildcats Head Coach Lute Olson, alleging that Olson is

his biological father, as well as the father of the “Olson twins.” Riches v. Olson, et al.,

1:07cv1886 AWI DLB, Complaint, at 1. In Riches v. Follett, 1:07cv1887 AWI SMS, Plaintiff

seeks 13 million dollars because he “can’t join defendant’s book club” despite being a “book

worm since 1984.” Complaint, at 1.

In short, Plaintiff’s complaints before this Court are nonsensical, delusional and fail to

state any claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or a basis for this Court’s jurisdiction. 

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. This action is DISMISSED, with prejudice, as frivolous; and

2. The Clerk of the Court is RESTRICTED from filing any civil complaints of

Jonathan Lee Riches in this Court without payment of the full statutory filing fee. 

The Clerk is directed to REFUSE any complaint that is not accompanied by the

fee at the time of its attempted filing. 

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 15, 2008 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

emm0d6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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