Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-04141/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-04141-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Sandra Kelly
Defendant
Damien Dwayne Olive
Plaintiff
Ken Wong
Defendant

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAMIEN DWAYNE OLIVE, 

Plaintiff,

 vs.

KEN WONG, PA III, and SANDRA

KELLY, PA I,

Defendants.

 

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No. C 09-4141 JSW (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

(Docket No. 2)

Plaintiff, a prisoner of the State of California currently incarcerated at San

Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, California, has filed a pro se civil rights

complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 regarding statements made to him by his parole

officer which he contends reflect her homophobic attitude. The Court now reviews the

complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A and dismisses it for failure to state a

cognizable claim for relief. Plaintiff’s motion seeking to proceed in forma pauperis is

GRANTED in another order filed simultaneously (docket no. 2).

DISCUSSION

In the complaint, Plaintiff complains that during a Board of Prison Hearings

proceeding, Parole Officer Sandra Kelly made certain statements about Plaintiff’s

sexuality and marital status which Plaintiff contends reflects her disagreement with his

sexual preference and her homophobia. Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief.

A. Standard of Review

Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which

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prisoners seek redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a

governmental entity. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). In its review the court must identify

any cognizable claims, and dismiss any claims which are frivolous, malicious, fail to

state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seek monetary relief from a

defendant who is immune from such relief. See id. at 1915A(b)(1),(2). Pro se

pleadings must be liberally construed. See Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d

696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990).

To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two essential

elements: (1) that a violation of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the

United States was violated, and (2) that the alleged deprivation was committed by a

person acting under the color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).

B. Legal Claim

In this case, Plaintiff fails to set forth allegations against the named Defendants

that state a claim for relief. Plaintiff complains that his parole agent commented on his

sexual orientation and the fact that he is married to another parolee and that her

statements that he is not allowed to have contact with another individual on parole

reflect a homophobic attitude toward Plaintiff. However, the conduct on the part of

Defendants set forth here does not constitute a cognizable claim. Therefore, Plaintiff’s

claims are DISMISSED for failure to state a claim for relief.

CONCLUSION

For the forgoing reasons, Plaintiff’s complaint is hereby DISMISSED for the

reasons set forth above. The Clerk shall close the file and enter judgment in this case. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: April 16, 2010 JEFFREY S. WHITE

 United States District Judge

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAMIEN D OLIVE,

Plaintiff,

 v.

KEN WONG et al,

Defendant. /

Case Number: CV09-04141 JSW 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am an employee in the Office of the Clerk, U.S. District

Court, Northern District of California.

That on April 16, 2010, I SERVED a true and correct copy(ies) of the attached, by placing said

copy(ies) in a postage paid envelope addressed to the person(s) hereinafter listed, by depositing

said envelope in the U.S. Mail, or by placing said copy(ies) into an inter-office delivery

receptacle located in the Clerk's office.

Damien Dwayne Olive

T47433

San Quentin State Prison

San Quentin, CA 94974

Dated: April 16, 2010

Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: Jennifer Ottolini, Deputy Clerk

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