Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-00187/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-00187-0/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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1 07cv0187 L(RBB)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHARLES EASTER,

Plaintiff,

v.

CDC STATE OF CALIFORNIA;

MORRIS, Captain; PANCHELLO,

Lieutenant; PEREZ, Correctional

Officer, 

Defendants. 

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Civil No. 07cv0187 L(RBB)

ORDER OF CONFIDENTIALITY

DIRECTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TO

PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO

DEFENDANT TILTON’S ADDRESS TO

THE U.S. MARSHAL, DIRECTING

THE U.S. MARSHAL TO EFFECT

SERVICE OF PROCESS PURSUANT TO

FED. R. CIV. P. 4 FOR SERVICE

OF THE COMPLAINT, AND DENYING

PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO INFORM

[DOC. NO. 20]

The Plaintiff, currently an inmate at Ironwood State Prison

in Blythe, California, proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis,

filed the instant action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, on the basis of

alleged actions by certain prison staff at Donovan State Prison,

where Plaintiff was formerly incarcerated.

Plaintiff has filed a Motion to Inform [doc. no. 20],

requesting that this Court provide him with the address for James

Tilton, Secretary of the California Department of Corrections,

where Tilton can receive service of Plaintiff’s Complaint. 

Plaintiff states the summons form he had completed for this

Defendant was returned to him by the U.S. Marshal on June 5,

Case 3:07-cv-00187-L-RBB Document 21 Filed 06/19/07 Page 1 of 3
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2 07cv0187 L(RBB)

2007, because Plaintiff had not provided the Marshals Service

with an address where they could properly serve this Defendant.

“[A]n incarcerated pro se plaintiff proceeding in forma

pauperis is entitled to rely on the U.S. Marshal for service of

the summons and complaint, and, having provided the necessary

information to help effectuate service, plaintiff should not be

penalized by having his or her action dismissed for failure to

effect service . . . .” Puett v. Blandford, 912 F.2d 270, 275

(9th Cir. 1990). “So long as the prisoner has furnished the

information necessary to identify the defendant, the marshal’s

failure to effect service of process ‘is automatically good cause

within the meaning of Rule 4(j) [of the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure].’” Walker v. Sumner, 14 F.3d 1415, 1422 (9th Cir.

1994).

Here, Plaintiff has identified the Defendant. As long as

the privacy of Defendant Tilton’s address can be preserved,

Plaintiff is entitled to be able to serve his Complaint. 

Accordingly, the Court ORDERS the Attorney General assigned to

this case to provide the forwarding address for James Tilton,

Secretary of the California Department of Corrections, to the

U.S. Marshal in a confidential memorandum indicating that the

subpoena is to be delivered to that address. The Attorney

General shall provide the U.S. Marshal with any such information

on or before June 29, 2007.

After receipt of any available address from the Attorney

General, the Court ORDERS the U.S. Marshal to serve a copy of the

Complaint and summons upon Defendant Tilton. All costs of

service shall be advanced by the United States. The Clerk of the

Case 3:07-cv-00187-L-RBB Document 21 Filed 06/19/07 Page 2 of 3
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K:\COMMON\BROOKS\CASES\1983\PRISONER\EASTER0187\CONFIDSERVICEORDER.wpd 3 07cv0187 L(RBB)

Court, the Attorney General, and the Office of the 

U.S. Marshal are HEREBY ORDERED to keep the address of James

Tilton strictly confidential. The address of Defendant Tilton

SHALL NOT appear on any 285 form, SHALL NOT be provided to

Plaintiff, and SHALL NOT be made part of the Court record. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: June 19, 2007 ____________________________

Ruben B. Brooks

United States Magistrate Judge

cc: Judge Lorenz

All Parties of Record

U.S. Marshal

Case 3:07-cv-00187-L-RBB Document 21 Filed 06/19/07 Page 3 of 3