HILL-BEY v. JOHNSON

Filing 39

ENTRY denying 34 Motion for Acquittal, Denying Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, and Directing Entry of Final Judgment. See Entry. Judgment consistent with this Entry shall now issue. Signed by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt on 6/15/2017. (SWM)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION

DANNY HILL-BEY,
Petitioner,
vs.
LAURIE JOHNSON,
Respondent.

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No. 1:16-cv-00487-TWP-MJD

Entry Denying Motion for Acquittal, Denying Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus,
and Directing Entry of Final Judgment
The petition of Danny Hill-Bey (“Hill-Bey”) for a writ of habeas corpus challenges a
prison disciplinary proceeding, REF 15-11-0002, in which he was found guilty of asserting
and/or filing a false lien or judgment. For the reasons explained in this entry, Hill-Bey’s habeas
petition must be denied.
I. Overview
Prisoners in Indiana custody may not be deprived of credit time, Cochran v. Buss, 381
F.3d 637, 639 (7th Cir. 2004), or of credit-earning class, Montgomery v. Anderson, 262 F.3d 641,
644-45 (7th Cir. 2001), without due process. The due process requirement is satisfied with the
issuance of advance written notice of the charges, a limited opportunity to present evidence to an
impartial decision maker, a written statement articulating the reasons for the disciplinary action
and the evidence justifying it, and “some evidence in the record” to support the finding of guilt.
Superintendent, Mass. Corr. Inst. v. Hill, 472 U.S. 445, 454 (1985); Wolff v. McDonnell, 418
U.S. 539, 570-71 (1974); Jones v. Cross, 637 F.3d 841, 845 (7th Cir. 2011); Piggie v. Cotton,
344 F.3d 674, 677 (7th Cir. 2003); Webb v. Anderson, 224 F.3d 649, 652 (7th Cir. 2000).

II. The Disciplinary Proceeding
On October 30, 2015, Investigator Mavis Grady wrote a Report of Conduct that charged
Hill-Bey with offenses A111/122, Attempting to Assert and/or File a False Lien or Judgment.
The Conduct Report states:
On October 30, 2015 at approximately 10:26 am Resident Danny Hill 246814
admitted to me that the Notice of Lien as well as other UCC documents associated
with those of Sovereign Citizens were his. The possession of such documents are
prohibited including the filing thereof.
Dkt. 13-1.
The Conduct Report was based on the Report of Investigation of Incident, which states:
On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at approximately 8:35 a.m. I was notified by
Program Director, Shannon Bowling that she had printed off questionable
documents in the Law Library printer belonging to a resident using the Law
Library. Ms. Bowling believed the documents to be a contract of some form. The
forms printed off the Law Library printer were UCC Financing Statements,
Information Request, Schedule A, Indemnity Bond, Notice of Lien, and the UCC
Financial Statements for Resident Danny Hill #246814 and one other resident.
Such forms are prohibited and are known to be associated [with] Sovereign
Citizens. Sovereign Citizens are recognized in IDOC as a Security Threat Group.
On Friday, October 29, 2015 I interviewed Resident Hill. Hill reviewed the
documents and stated to me that these documents were being prepared for him by
another resident. Hill acknowledge[d] to me that the forms were his. Hill admitted
the documents including the Notice of Lien were for his business and that he was
going to file these documents once he’s released from IDOC.
Dkt. 13-2.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has classified Sovereign Citizens as domestic terror
threats because they are anti-government extremists. Dkt. 13-11, ¶ 4. Sovereign Citizens often
are prisoners. Id. The Indiana Department of Correction (“IDOC”) considers Sovereign Citizens
to be a security threat group. Id. A typical activity of Sovereign Citizens is filing false lien
notices, a tactic known as “paper terrorism.” Id., ¶ 5. These notices are sometimes intended to

defraud the government. Id. Asserting and/or Filing a False Lien or Judgment is Class A Offense
122 in the IDOC Disciplinary Code for Adult Offenders. Id., ¶ 6. An offender does not have to
be a Sovereign Citizens member to be sanctioned for filing or attempting to file a false lien Id.
The documents found in the library are attached as exhibits to the Respondents Return on
the Order to Show Cause. (See Dkt. 13.) The documents place a lien on the “strawman” HillBey believes was created by the government under the name “DANNY HILL.” Dkt. 13-3, dkt.
13-11, ¶ 8. The UCC Financial Statement shows that Hill-Bey believes a fixed value has been
assigned to his social security number and birth certificate. Id. This particular document is used
to prepare to access the fictional funds associated with this “account.” Id.
Schedule A in Exhibit C is a contract with Rufus Hunter, Jr., another offender at
Plainfield Correctional Facility. Dkt. 13-3, dkt. 13-11, ¶ 9. The contract gives Mr. Hunter sole
authority over the body of “DANNY HILL” and establishes a fine of $100 million a day for
anyone confining or restraining “DANNY HILL.” Id. Documents like those in docket 13-3 have
been used by individuals as a way to file a fraudulent law suit against the state government for
the confinement of persons such as “DANNY HILL.” Dkt. 13-11, ¶ 10. Another purpose is to
fraudulently obtain funds or seek the release of offenders. Id.
On November 2, 2015, Hill-Bey was notified of the charge of Asserting and/or Filing a
False Lien or Judgment when he was served with the Conduct Report and the Notice of
Disciplinary Hearing (Screening Report). Dkt. 13-1, dkt. 13-4. Hill-Bey was notified of his rights
and pleaded not guilty. Dkt. 13-4. He requested that offender Jorge Lopez-Chavez be his lay
advocate, and Mr. Lopez-Chavez agreed to be the lay advocate. Dkt. 13-4, dkt. 13-5. Hill-Bey
requested offender Daniel Cushing as a witness, who was expected to state that “Hill was trying

to obtain his LLC License.” Dkt. 13-4. As physical evidence Hill-Bey requested the Black’s Law
business book and the UCC book in the facility’s library. Id.
Offender Cushing provided a written statement that said “Mr. Hill did ask me how to
obtain a LLC or be incorporated in a bussiness [sic]. I told him to be incorporated or obtain a
LLC he had to have a bussiness [sic] License and a TX number.” Dkt. 13-6.
The hearing officer conducted a disciplinary hearing in REF 15-11-0002 on November 6,
2015. Dkt. 13-7. Hill-Bey’s comment was:
I don’t have anything to do with Sovereign. My religion does not allow it. I’ve
never been affiliated. The documents were being done for me. I was not aware of
it. Resident Cushing looked over it and said it was good for LLC. There were
supposed to be certain things in contracts for LLC license. Would like for you to
review recording.
Dkt. 13-7.
The “recording” refers to video interviews of offenders Hill-Bey and Hunter. Hill-Bey
did not request the video as physical evidence, but it was reviewed by the hearing officer. Dkt.
21, dkt. 13-4. The hearing officer found Hill-Bey guilty of Asserting and/or Filing a False Lien.
Dkt. 13-7. In particular, the hearing officer stated: “Offender admits in Interview the documents
are his. The documents are a clear attempt to file a lien” Id. The hearing officer considered staff
reports, Hill-Bey’s statement, and copies of the documents in deciding the case. Id. The hearing
officer recommended and approved the following sanctions: a written reprimand, earned credit
time deprivation of 180 days (suspended), and a demotion from Credit Class 1 to Credit Class 2.
Id. The hearing officer imposed the sanctions because of the seriousness of the offense, HillBey’s attitude and demeanor during the hearing, and the likelihood of the sanction having a
corrective effect on his future behavior. Id.
Hill-Bey’s appeals were denied. This habeas action followed.

III. Analysis
Hill-Bey argues that his due process rights were violated during the disciplinary
proceeding. His claims are that: 1) there was no evidence of documents being found on his
person, in his private correspondence or computer files, and no evidence that anyone was injured
by the filing of false liens; 2) no security threats were reported at the facility and there was no
evidence that Sovereign Citizens were present; 3) his lay advocate was not presented until 10
minutes before the hearing; and 4) he could not prepare a proper defense because he did not
receive a statement of facts from the Facility Head until two months after the hearing; and 5) he
was denied a fair trial because the hearing officer prejudged his case. Dkt. 1, pp. 3-4.
Hill-Bey’s first claim challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. He argues that the
documents were not found on his person and there was no evidence that he ever actually filed the
documents. “[A] hearing officer’s decision need only rest on ‘some evidence’ logically
supporting it and demonstrating that the result is not arbitrary.” Ellison v. Zatecky, 820 F.3d 271,
274 (7th Cir. 2016). The “some evidence” evidentiary standard in this type of case is much more
lenient than “beyond a reasonable doubt” or even “by a preponderance.” See Moffat v. Broyles,
288 F.3d 978, 981 (7th Cir. 2002) (hearing officer in prison disciplinary case “need not show
culpability beyond a reasonable doubt or credit exculpatory evidence.”); McPherson v. McBride,
188 F.3d 784, 786 (7th Cir. 1999) (“In reviewing a decision for ‘some evidence,’ courts are not
required to conduct an examination of the entire record, independently assess witness credibility,
or weigh the evidence, but only determine whether the prison disciplinary board’s decision to
revoke good time credits has some factual basis.”) (internal quotation omitted). “[T]he relevant

question is whether there is any evidence in the record that could support the conclusion reached
by the disciplinary board.” Hill, 472 U.S. at 455-56.
The interview with the Internal Affairs Investigator, dkt. 25, makes clear that the
documents at issue belonged to Hill-Bey. Another inmate, Mr. Hunter, was allegedly “correcting
the contract,” but the UCC documents admittedly belonged to Hill-Bey. He admitted that he
intended to file the Notice of Lien with the UCC. He was not charged with actually filing the
documents. Rather, the charge was for asserting or possessing the documents, A111-122. See
Dkt. 13-1, dkt. 13-2. The forms themselves are prohibited in the IDOC. Id. The hearing officer’s
decision that the documents reflect Hill-Bey’s clear intent to file a lien is supported by sufficient
evidence, consisting of the Conduct Report, the Investigative Report, and the documents
themselves.
Hill-Bey’s second claim is that no security threats were reported at the facility and there
was no evidence that Sovereign Citizens were present. He denies being a Sovereign Citizen.
This, too, is a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. As such, this claim fails because HillBey was not charged with being a Sovereign Citizen. He was charged with attempting to file a
false lien or judgment. Hill-Bey admitted that the documents were his and were being
“corrected” on his behalf and that he intended to file them.
Hill-Bey’s next claim is that he was denied due process when he was not able to meet
with his lay advocate until ten minutes before the hearing. This claim fails because due process
does not require that prisons appoint a lay advocate for a disciplinary hearing unless “‘an
illiterate inmate is involved ... or where the complexity of the issue makes it unlikely that the
inmate will be able to collect and present the evidence necessary for an adequate comprehension
of the case.’” Wilson-El v. Finnan, 263 F. App’x 503, 506 (7th Cir. 2008) (quoting Wolff, 418

U.S. at 570)). Hill-Bey “had no constitutional right to the assistance of any lay advocate, much
less the lay advocate of his choice.” Doan v. Buss, 82 Fed.Appx. 168, 172 (7th Cir. 2003) (citing
Miller v. Duckworth, 963 F.2d 1002, 1004) (7th Cir. 1992)). Hill-Bey has made no showing that
he is illiterate or the charge was particularly complex. Moreover, he was not denied access to a
lay advocate and there is no due process requirement regarding how much time an offender
should have with his lay advocate, if any, before the hearing.
Hill-Bey’s next claim is that he could not prepare a defense because he did not receive
the Facility Head’s denial of his appeal until two months after his hearing. This claim is difficult
to understand because any defense would have been prepared before the hearing itself.
Moreover, to the extent Hill-Bey is alleging that a IDOC policy was violated, this claim is not
cognizable in a federal habeas action. See Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 68 at n.2 (1991)
(“state-law violations provide no basis for federal habeas review.”); Keller v. Donahue, 2008 WL
822255, 271 Fed.Appx. 531, 532 (7th Cir. Mar. 27, 2008) (an inmate “has no cognizable claim
arising from the prison’s application of its regulations.”); Hester v. McBride, 966 F. Supp. 765,
774-75 (N.D. Ind. 1997) (violations of the Indiana Adult Disciplinary Policy Procedures do not
state a claim for federal habeas relief).
Hill-Bey’s final claim is that the hearing officer prejudged his case. Inmates are entitled
to an impartial decision-maker. Hill-Bey, however, has alleged no facts that would render the
hearing office partial or biased. Simply alleging bias is not sufficient to support a due process
violation. A prison official who is “directly or substantially involved in the factual events
underlying the disciplinary charges, or in the investigation thereof,” may not adjudicate those
charges. Piggie v. Cotton, 342 F.3d 660, 667 (7th Cir. 2003). “Adjudicators are entitled to a
presumption of honesty and integrity.” Id. at 666. “[T]he constitutional standard for

impermissible bias is high.” Id. Absent any allegations of the hearing officer’s involvement in
the underlying events, this claim is meritless.
Hill-Bey was given proper notice and had an opportunity to defend the charge. The
hearing officer provided a written statement of the reasons for the finding of guilt and described
the evidence that was considered. There was sufficient evidence in the record to support the
finding of guilt. Under these circumstances, there were no violations of Hill-Bey’s due process
rights.
IV. Conclusion
“The touchstone of due process is protection of the individual against arbitrary action of
the government.” Wolff, 418 U.S. at 558. There was no arbitrary action in any aspect of the
charge, disciplinary proceedings, or sanctions involved in the events identified in this action, and
there was no constitutional infirmity in the proceedings.
Hill-Bey’s motion for acquittal, dkt. [34], is denied. His petition for a writ of habeas
corpus is also denied and the action is dismissed. Judgment consistent with this Entry shall now
issue.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: 6/15/2017

Distribution:
Electronically registered counsel
DANNY HILL-BEY
246814
PENDLETON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Electronic Service Participant – Court Only