SEARS v. WARREN et al

Filing 3

MEMORANDUM OPINION Signed by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on 10/13/2020. (adh, )

Case 1:20-cv-02901-UNA Document 3 Filed 10/13/20 Page 1 of 2

FILED
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
SCOTT A. SEARS,
Plaintiff,
v.
DR. WARREN,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

10/13/2020

Clerk, U.S. District & Bankruptcy
Court for the District of Columbia

Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-02901 (UNA)

MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on its initial review of plaintiff’s pro se complaint and
application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). The Court will grant the IFP
application and dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. See Fed. R. Civ. P.
12(h)(3).
Plaintiff brings undefined causes of action against “Dr. Warren,” the head psychologist at
Lompoc Residential Drug Abuse Camp. See generally Compl., Dkt. 1. Plaintiff does not provide
an address or any other identifying information for defendant or the Camp. See id. Plaintiff is
apparently dissatisfied with his treatment by Dr. Warren, whom he broadly alleges engaged in
“wrongdoing,” and argues that Dr. Warren engaged in favoritism and nepotism while treating
patients at the Camp. See id.
The subject matter jurisdiction of the federal district courts is limited and is set forth
generally at 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1332. Under those statutes, federal jurisdiction is available
only when a “federal question” is presented or the parties are of diverse citizenship and the amount
in controversy exceeds $75,000. A party seeking relief in the district court must at least plead facts
that bring the suit within the court's jurisdiction. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). Failure to plead such
facts warrants dismissal of the action. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3).

Case 1:20-cv-02901-UNA Document 3 Filed 10/13/20 Page 2 of 2

Plaintiff does not raise any federal question, and has not alleged sufficient facts to satisfy
his burden to establish diversity jurisdiction. Accordingly, this case will be dismissed. A separate
order accompanies this memorandum opinion.

Date: October 13, 2020

DABNEY L. FRIEDRICH
United States District Judge