Jones v. Thang et al

Filing 4

ORDER TRANSFERRING CASE to the Western District of Michigan. Signed by District Judge George Caram Steeh. (DTyl)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
LARRY JONES,
Plaintiff,
v.

Civil Action No. 2:12-cv-12036
Honorable George Caram Steeh

THANG, et.al.,
Defendant(s).
______________________/
ORDER TRANSFERRING CASE TO THE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
This is a civil rights action filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff Larry Jones is an
Illinois state prisoner currently confined at the Robinson Correctional Center in Robinson,
Illinois. He filed this pro se Complaint on May 7, 2012, alleging that Defendant Michigan
State Trooper Thang illegally searched his body, touching his penis, testicles, and sticking
her fingers into his rectum. The events described in Plaintiff’s Complaint occurred in White
Pigeon, Michigan, and Defendants are officers located at the White Pigeon Post.
The proper venue for civil actions in which jurisdiction is not based on diversity of
citizenship is the judicial district where: (1) any defendant resides if all defendants reside
in the same state; (2) a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim
occurred or a substantial part of the property in question is situated; or (3) any defendant
may be found if there is no other district in which plaintiff may bring the action. 28 U.S.C.
§ 1391(b). Public officials “reside” in the county where they serve. See O’Neill v. Battisti,
472 F.2d 789, 791 (6th Cir. 1972). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a), a district court may

transfer a civil action to any other district where it might have been brought for the
convenience of the parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice.
Having reviewed the Complaint, the Court finds that the United States District Court
for the Western District of Michigan is a more appropriate forum for this action. Defendants
reside in St. Joseph County for purposes of the present Complaint, which lies in the
Southern Division of the Western District of Michigan. See 28 U.S.C. § 102(b).
Accordingly, the Court ORDERS the Clerk of the Court to transfer this case to the
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b) and
1404(a).
Dated: May 14, 2012
S/George Caram Steeh
GEORGE CARAM STEEH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Copies of this Order were served upon attorneys of record on
May 14, 2012, by electronic and/or ordinary mail and also to
Larry Jones at 803 West Street, Three Rivers MI 49039.
S/Josephine Chaffee
Deputy Clerk

2