Diaz-Guillen v. Korte et al
Filing
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MERIT REVIEW OPINION - Entered by Judge Harold A. Baker on 5/11/2017. (Rule 16 Deadline 7/10/2017.) The clerk is directed to attempt service on the defendants pursuant to the standard procedures. Clerk is directed to terminate Defendants Goins, Smit h, Ham, Shock, Bradley, Hunziker, Wombles, Barnes, Carlock, Smith, Eckelburg, Snow, Law, Megginson, Bradshaw, Johnson, Settles, and Olson. Plaintiff's Motion for Extension of Time 4 is retroactively granted. The Court has since ruled on his Petition to Proceed in forma pauperis. Plaintiff's Motion 10 is denied with leave to renew. (LN, ilcd) Modified on 5/11/2017 to reflect Motion 10 (LN, ilcd).
E-FILED
Thursday, 11 May, 2017 02:26:25 PM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
Luis M. Diaz-Guillen,
vs.
Plaintiff,
Jeffrey P. Korte, et al.,
Defendants.
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17-CV-3034
MERIT REVIEW ORDER
This case is before the court for a merit review of the plaintiff's claims.
The court is required by 28 U.S.C. '1915A to Ascreen@ the plaintiff=s complaint,
and through such process to identify and dismiss any legally insufficient claim,
or the entire action if warranted. A claim is legally insufficient if it A(1) is
frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or
(2) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief.@ 28
U.S.C. '1915A.
In reviewing the complaint, the Court accepts the factual allegations as
true, liberally construing them in the plaintiff=s favor. Turley v. Rednour, 729
F.3d 645, 649 (7th Cir. 2013). However, conclusory statements and labels are
insufficient. Enough facts must be provided to Astate a claim for relief that is
plausible on its face.@ Alexander v. U.S., 721 F.3d 418, 422 (7th Cir.
2013)(citation omitted). The Court has reviewed the complaint and has also
held a merit review hearing in order to give the plaintiff a chance to personally
explain his claims to the Court.
The plaintiff, proceeding pro se, and currently incarcerated in the
Pickneyville Correctional Center was granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
The plaintiff filed this lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. '1983 alleging that prison
officials at Western Correctional Center wrote disciplinary reports to keep him on
C-grade status, denied his special dietary and religious requests, and generally
treated him with contempt. Plaintiff alleges this is because he filed lawsuits and
grievances.
Plaintiff names 23 defendants in his Complaint, but exhibits Plaintiff
attached show that only a portion of those 23 defendants were responsible for the
alleged retaliation. Defendants Dodds and Osser Coach were allegedly
responsible for the denial of Plaintiff’s dietary requests, and Defendants
Delaporte and Dralle allegedly wrote the disciplinary reports. Plaintiff also
alleges that Defendant Korte, the warden, knew about the retaliation, but signed
off on his discipline anyway.
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Plaintiff states a claim for retaliation against Defendants Dodds, Osser
Coach, Delaporte, Dralle, and Korte. See Bridges v. Gilbert, 557 F.3d 541, 553
(7th Cir. 2009).
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:
1.
Pursuant to its merit review of the Complaint under 28 U.S.C. §
1915A, the court finds that the plaintiff states a First Amendment retaliation
claim against Defendants Dodds, Osser Coach, Delaporte, Dralle, and Korte. All
other defendants shall be dismissed. Any additional claims shall not be
included in the case, except at the court’s discretion on motion by a party for
good cause shown or pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15.
2.
This case is now in the process of service. The plaintiff is advised to
wait until counsel has appeared for the defendants before filing any motions, in
order to give the defendants notice and an opportunity to respond to those
motions. Motions filed before defendants' counsel has filed an appearance will
generally be denied as premature. The plaintiff need not submit any evidence to
the court at this time, unless otherwise directed by the court.
3.
The court will attempt service on the defendants by mailing each
defendant a waiver of service. The defendants have 60 days from the date the
waiver is sent to file an answer. If the defendants have not filed answers or
appeared through counsel within 90 days of the entry of this order, the plaintiff
may file a motion requesting the status of service. After the defendants have
been served, the court will enter an order setting discovery and dispositive
motion deadlines.
4.
With respect to a defendant who no longer works at the address
provided by the plaintiff, the entity for whom that defendant worked while at that
address shall provide to the clerk said defendant's current work address, or, if
not known, said defendant's forwarding address. This information shall be used
only for effectuating service. Documentation of forwarding addresses shall be
retained only by the clerk and shall not be maintained in the public docket nor
disclosed by the clerk.
5.
The defendants shall file an answer within 60 days of the date the
waiver is sent by the clerk. A motion to dismiss is not an answer. The answer
should include all defenses appropriate under the Federal Rules. The answer
and subsequent pleadings shall be to the issues and claims stated in this
opinion. In general, an answer sets forth the defendants' positions. The court
does not rule on the merits of those positions unless and until a motion is filed by
the defendants. Therefore, no response to the answer is necessary or will be
considered.
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6.
This district uses electronic filing, which means that, after defense
counsel has filed an appearance, defense counsel will automatically receive
electronic notice of any motion or other paper filed by the plaintiff with the clerk.
The plaintiff does not need to mail to defense counsel copies of motions and other
papers that the plaintiff has filed with the clerk. However, this does not apply to
discovery requests and responses. Discovery requests and responses are not
filed with the clerk. The plaintiff must mail his discovery requests and
responses directly to defendants' counsel. Discovery requests or responses sent
to the clerk will be returned unfiled, unless they are attached to and the subject
of a motion to compel. Discovery does not begin until defense counsel has filed
an appearance and the court has entered a scheduling order, which will explain
the discovery process in more detail.
7.
Counsel for the defendants is hereby granted leave to depose the
plaintiff at his place of confinement. Counsel for the defendants shall arrange
the time for the deposition.
8.
The plaintiff shall immediately notify the court, in writing, of any
change in his mailing address and telephone number. The plaintiff's failure to
notify the court of a change in mailing address or phone number will result in
dismissal of this lawsuit, with prejudice.
9.
If a defendant fails to sign and return a waiver of service to the clerk
within 30 days after the waiver is sent, the court will take appropriate steps to
effect formal service through the U.S. Marshals service on that defendant and
will require that defendant to pay the full costs of formal service pursuant to
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(2).
10. The clerk is directed to attempt service on the defendants pursuant
to the standard procedures.
11. Clerk is directed to terminate Defendants Goins, Smith, Ham,
Shock, Bradley, Hunziker, Wombles, Barnes, Carlock, Smith, Eckelburg, Snow,
Law, Megginson, Bradshaw, Johnson, Settles, and Olson.
12. Plaintiff’s Motion for Extension of Time [4] is retroactively granted.
The Court has since ruled on his Petition to Proceed in forma pauperis.
Plaintiff’s Motion [11] is denied with leave to renew.
Entered this 11th day of May, 2017
/s/ Harold A. Baker
___________________________________________
HAROLD A. BAKER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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