VESSELS v. EDISON POLICE DEPARTMENT et al

Filing 7

OPINION. Signed by Judge Kevin McNulty on 2/6/17. (sr, )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
BRIAN VESSELS,
Plaintiff,

Civ. No. 15-2211 (KM)(JBC)

V.

EDISON POLICE DEPARTMENT, et al.,

OPINION

Defendants.
KEVIN MCNULTY, U.S.D.J.
I.

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff, Brian Vessels, is a pretrial detainee proceeding pro se with a civil rights
complaint filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
pursuant to 28 U.S.C.

§§

§

1983. At this time, this Court must screen the complaint

191 5(e)(2)(B) and 191 5A to determine whether it should be dismissed

as frivolous or malicious, for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted
, or
because it seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from suit. For the follow
ing
reasons, the complaint will be permitted to proceed in part.
II.

BACKGROUND

The allegations of the complaint will be construed as true for purposes of this screen
ing
1
opinion. Mr. Vessels names as defendants (1) Edison Police Department; (2) Middle
sex County
Prosecutor’s Office; (3) Middlesex County Correction Center; (4) Joseph Perrott
e
Edison Police Department; (5) Frank Todd
Chupela

—

—

Officer

Officer Edison Police Department; (6) Andrew

Officer Edison Police Department; (7) Howard Askelson

—

Officer Edison Police

Mr. Vessels’ tiling is a hodgepodge of papers that lists various defendants, attaches severa
l
exhibits, and includes factual allegations. While the complaint is jumbled, this Court
construes
the complaint in its entirety, including, most importantly, the various areas in the compla
int that
do state specific factual allegations.

Department; (8) Donald Ship

—

Officer Edison Police Department; (9) Salvatore Filannino

Officer Edison Police Department; (10) Thomas Marino
(11) Alan Houck

—

Officer Edison Police Department;

Detective Edison Police Department; (12) Jennifer Aldahondo

Edison Police Department (13) William Colletto
Timothy Lombordo

—

—

—

—

Case Officer

Officer Edison Police Department; (14)

Officer Edison Police Department; (15) Frank Varga

Police Department; (16) Michael Carter
—

—

—

Detective Edison

Officer Edison Police Department; (17) Rajesh Chopra

Supervisor Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office; (18) George Stiliwell

—

Investigator/Reporting Officer Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office; (19) Connelly
Investigator Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office; (20) Gzemski
County Prosecutor’s Office; (21) Feneis
(22) Mark Cranston

—

—

—

—

—

Investigator Middlesex

Investigator Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office;

Warden Middlesex County Adult Correction Center.

Mr. Vessels’ allegations center on a search and subsequent arrest that took place at his
residence in Edison, New Jersey on June 20, 2014. Mr. Vessels states that Varga, along with
three other officers entered without permission and began to search the residence as well as Mr.
Vessels’ person without his consent. The officers eventually detained Mr. Vessels who was
trying to contact his mother in law at the time. Mr. Vessels was placed in handcuffs. Mr.
Vessels’ sister asked for a warrant, but was not given a response by the officers. When Varga

was asked about a warrant, he stated, “No.

.

.

and we don’t need a warrant [using a racial slur].

And if you bring it up in court I’ll just say you invited us in.” (Dkt. No. 1-2 at p.46) Mr. Vessels
was then placed into an officer’s car despite not knowing what he was being arrested for.
The complaint identifies Varga as one of the officers who conducted the search and
subsequent arrest. The complaint alleges that three other officers, Connelly, Gzemski, and Feneis
violated Vessels’ rights under the United States and New Jersey Constitutions by entering his

2

home without identifying themselves or producing a warrant when asked. (See Dkt. No. 1 at pp.
9, 11) Construed liberally, then, the complaint names those three as additional officers involved
in the allegedly unlawful search and arrest.
The allegations are more vague and conclusory as to the other named defendants.
Defendants StilIwell, Chopra, Aldahondo, Houck, Askelson, Marino, Cater, Colletto, Perrote,
Todd, Chupela, Filannino, Ship, and Lombardo allegedly “corrupted reports,” or were “involved
in case and reports that are corrupted.” Chopra allegedly did not thoroughly go over reports to
ensure that they were accurate.
Finally, Mr. Vessels alleges that defendant Cranston, as Warden, has allowed correctional
officers to endanger his life by not allowing him to get breathing treatment for his asthma.
Furthermore, Mr. Vessels states, Cranston allows officers to beat on inmates. (See Dkt. No. 1 at
p.14)
Mr. Vessels seeks monetary and injunctive relief.
III.

LEGAL STANDARDS

Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act, Pub.L. 104-134,

§

801-810, 110 Stat. 1321-66

to 132 1-77 (Apr. 26, 1996) (“PLRA”), district courts must review complaints in those civil
actions in which a prisoner is proceeding in formapauperis, see 28 U.S.C.
seeks redress against a governmental employee or entity, see 28 U.S.C.
claim with respect to prison conditions, see 42 U.S.C.

§

§

§

191 5(e)(2)(B),

1915A(b), or brings a

1997e. The PLRA directs district courts

to sua sponte dismiss any claim that is frivolous, is malicious, fails to state a claim upon which
relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such
relief. see 28 U.S.C.

§

1915(e)(2)(B).

3

“The legal standard for dismissing a complaint for failure to state a claim pursuant to 28
U.S.C.

§

191 5(e)(2)(B)(ii) is the same as that for dismissing a complaint pursuant to Federal

Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6).” Schreane v. Seana, 506 F. App’x 120, 122 (3d Cir. 2012)
(citing Allah v. Seiverling, 229 F.3d 220, 223 (3d Cir. 2000)); Mitchell v. Beard, 492 F. App’x
230, 232 (3d Cir. 2012) (discussing 42 U.S.C.

§

1997e(c)(l)); Courteau v. United States, 287

Fed.Appx. 159, 162 (3d Cir. 2008) (discussing 28 U.S.C.

§

1915A(b)). That standard is set forth

in Ashcrofl v. Jqbal, 556 U.S. 662 (2009) and Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544
(2007), as explicated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. To survive the
court’s screening for failure to state a claim, the complaint must allege ‘sufficient factual matter’
to show that the claim is facially plausible. See Fowler v. UPMC Shadyside, 578 F.3d 203, 210
(3d Cir. 2009) (citation omitted). “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual
content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the
misconduct alleged.” Fair Wind Sailing, Inc. v. Dempster, 764 F.3d 303, 308 n.3 (3d Cir. 2014)
(quoting Iqhal, 556 U.S. at 678). “[A] pleading that offers ‘labels or conclusions’ or ‘a formulaic
recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.’ “Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting
Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555).
Pro se pleadings, as always, will be liberally construed. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S.
519 (1972). Nevertheless, “pro se litigants still must allege sufficient facts in their complaints to
support a claim.” Mala v. Crown Bay Marina, Inc., 704 F.3d 239, 245 (3d Cir. 2013) (citation
omitted).
IV.

DISCUSSION

A plaintiff may have a cause of action under 42 U.S.C.
constitutional rights. Section 1983 provides in relevant part:

4

§

1983 for certain violations of

Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance,
regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the
District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any
citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction
thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities
secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party
injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper
proceeding for redress, except that in any action brought against a
judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such office?s
judicial capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a
declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was
unavailable.
Thus, to state a claim for relief under

§

1983, a plaintiff must allege first, the violation of

a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States, and second, that the alleged
deprivation was committed or caused by a person acting under color of state law. See Harvey v.
Plains Twp. Police Dep’t, 635 F.3d 606, 609 (3d Cir. 2011) (citations omitted); see also West v.
Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).
A. Unlawful Search
I construe the complaint as asserting an unlawful search claim under

§

1983 against

defendants Varga, Connelly, Gzemski, and Feneis. Mr. Vessels asserts that these defendants
entered and searched his home without a warrant. At this early stage, I cannot say that a claim
has not been stated. See, e.g., Kubicki v. Whitemarsh Twp., 270 F. App’x 127, 128 (3d Cir. 2008)
(warrantless home entry presumptively unconstitutional but noting that exigent circumstances
can excuse the warrant requirement). I will permit this claim to move forward against these
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four defendants, but only insofar as it seeks money damages.
2

Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994), may limit but does not necessarily bar such a
claim. In Heck, the United States Supreme Court held:
in order to recover damages for allegedly unconstitutional
conviction or imprisonment, or for other harm caused by actions
whose unlawfulness would render a conviction or sentence invalid,
a § 1983 plaintiff must prove that the conviction or sentence has
5

As indicated above, Mr. Vessels also seeks injunctive relief in his complaint, in the form
of an order that all criminal charges against him be dropped. (See Dkt. No. 1-2 at p.53) Thus, it
appears as if Mr. Vessels seeks to have this Court intervene in his state criminal proceedings.
“Absent extraordinary circumstances, where the danger of irreparable loss is both great and
immediate, injunctive relief is not available.” Tinsley v. Adams, 248 F. App’x 309, 311 (3d Cir.
2007) (citing Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 45—46 (1971)). Mr. Vessels fails to allege that such
extraordinary circumstances are present here. He may assert his defenses, whatever they are, in
the criminal proceeding. Insofar as the unlawful search claim seeks injunctive, as opposed to
monetary, reliei it will be dismissed with prejudice.
B. Unlawful Arrest/False Imprisonment
I also construe the complaint as asserting a

§

1983 unlawful arrest/false imprisonment

claim against defendants Varga, Connelly, Gzemski, and Feneis.
“To state a claim for false arrest under the Fourth Amendment, a plaintiff must establish:
(1) that there was an arrest; and (2) that the arrest was made without probable cause.” James v.
City of Wilkes-Barre, 700 F.3d 675, 680 (3d Cir. 2012) (citing Groman v. Twp. ofManalapan,
47 F.3d 628, 634 (3d Cir. 1995); Dowling v. City ofPhila., 855 F.2d 136, 141 (3d Cir. 1988)).
been reversed on direct appeal, expunged by executive order,
declared invalid by a state tribunal authorized to make such
determination, or called into question by a federal court’s issuance
of a writ of habeas corpus.
512 U.S. at 486—87 (footnote omitted). However, “[v]ictims of unreasonable searches or
seizures may recover damages directly related to the invasion of their privacy—including (where
appropriate) damages for physical injury, property damage, injury to reputation, etc.; but such
victims cannot be compensated for injuries that result from the discovery of incriminating
evidence and consequent criminal prosecution.” Hector v. Watt, 235 F.3d 154, 157 (3d Cir.
2000), as amended (Jan. 26, 2001) (quoting Townes v. City ofNew York, 176 F.3d 138, 148 (2d
Cir. 1999)). It is on this basis, based on the allegations of the complaint that Mr. Vessels’
unlawful search claims against these four defendants shall be permitted to proceed.
6

‘“Probable cause to arrest exists when the facts and the circumstances within the arresting
officer’s knowledge are sufficient in themselves to warrant a reasonable person to believe that an
offense has been or is being committed by the person to be arrested.” Merkie v. Upper Dublin
Sch. Dist., 211 F.3d 782, 788 (3d Cir. 2000) (quoting Orsatti v. New Jersey State Police, 71 F.3d
480, 482 (3d Cir. 1995)); see also Minatee v. Phila. Police Dep’t, 502 F. App’x 225, 228 (3d Cir.
2012) (citation omitted). The arresting officer must only reasonably believe at the time of the
arrest that an offense is being committed, a significantly lower burden than proving guilt at trial.
See Wrighi v. City f Phila., 409 F.3d 595, 602 (3d Cir. 2005); see also Minatee, 502 F. App’x at
228 (citation omitted). Immunity is generally extended to “an officer who makes an arrest based
on an objectively reasonable belief that there is a valid warrant.” Adams v. Officer Eric Selhorst,
449 Fed.Appx. 198, 202 (3d Cir. 2011) (citing Berg v. Cnty. ofAllegheny, 219 F.3d 261, 273
(3d
Cir. 2000)). However, “an apparently valid warrant does not render an officer immune from suit
if his reliance on it is unreasonable in light of the relevant circumstances.” Id. (citing Berg, 219
F.3d at 273). A claim for false imprisonment arises when a person is arrested without probable
cause and is subsequently detained pursuant to that unlawful arrest. See Adams v. Officer Eric
Selhorst, 449 F. App’x 198, 201 (3d Cir.201 1) (per curiam) (citing Groman, 47 F.3d at 636).
Thus, a claim of false imprisonment in this context is derivative of a claim for arrest without
probable cause. See Johnson v. Camden Cnty. Prosecutors’ Office, No. 11—3588, 2012 WL
273887, at 4 n.2 (D.N.J. Jan. 31, 2012) (citing Groman, 47 F.3d at 636).
This Court will not permit Mr. Vessels’ unlawful arrest claim to proceed at this time. The
complaint merely states in conclusory fashion that the charges against Mr. Vessels are false.
Under Igbal standards, that is not a sufficient, fact-based allegation that probable cause to arrest

7

Mr. Vessel was lacking. The false imprisonment claim, which is dependent on the false arrest
claim, is defective for the same reason. This dismissal is without prejudice.
C. Racial Comments During Search and Arrest
Mr. Vessels also appears to be attempting to raise a claim against Varga for using racially
insulting language during the course of the search and arrest. Such language, of course, cannot be
condoned, and it may be evidence of;, or part of a larger claim that the police acted in a racially
discriminatory manner. However, allegations of threats or insults, without additional injury, fail
to state a claim under Section 1983 upon which relief may be granted. See Brown v. Hamilton
Twp. Police Dep’t Mercer Cnty., Ni, 547 F. App’x 96, 97 (3d Cir. 2013) (citing McBride v.
Deer, 240 F.3d 1287, 1291 n.3 (10th Cir. 2001); Freeman v. Arpaio, 125 F.3d 732, 738 (9th Cir.
1997)); see also Mugavero v. Town ofKearny, No. 12—2439, 2013 WL 3930120, at *3 (D.N.J.
July 30, 2013) (“[Rjacially discriminatory statements, racial slurs, and racial epithets, on their
own, fail to establish liability under section 1983.”) (citations omitted).
To the extent that Mr. Vessels is asserting a claim based on Varga’s use of racial epithets,
that claim is dismissed with prejudice.
D. Cell Phone
Mr. Vessels also appears to complain about the loss of his cell phone. This allegation
does not state an independent constitutional claim.
An unauthorized deprivation of property by a state actor, whether
intentional or negligent, does not constitute a violation of the
procedural requirements of the Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment if a meaningful post-deprivation remedy
for the loss is available. Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U.S. 517, 530—36
(1984); Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 543—44 (1981), overruled
in part on other grounds, Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 328
(1986). In Logan v. Zi,nmerinan Brush Co., 455 U.S. 422, 435—36
(1982), the Supreme Court explained, however, that postdeprivation remedies do not satisf’ the Due Process Clause if the
8

deprivation of property is accomplished pursuant to established
state procedure rather than through random, unauthorized action.
Stokes v. Lanigan, No. 12—1478, 2012 WL 4662487, at *4 (D.N.J. Oct. 2, 2012). New Jersey
provides a post-deprivation remedy for unauthorized deprivation of property by public
employees through the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, N.J. STAT. ANN.

§

59:1—i, et seq. Because a

meaningful post-deprivation remedy is available, Mr. Vessels fails to state a due process claim
with respect to the purported taking of his cell phone.
The claim based on deprivation of Vessels’ cell phone is dismissed with prejudice.
E. Claims Against Stillwell, Chopra, Aldahondo, Houck, Askelson, Marino, Carter,
Colletto, Perrotte, Todd, Chupela, Filannino, Ship, and Lombardo
Mr. Vessels also names as defendants Stiliwell, Chopra, Aldahondo, Houck, Askelson,
Marino, Carter, Colletto, Perrotte, Todd, Chupela, Filannino, Ship, and Lombardo. Mr. Vessels
claims that these defendants were involved in his case and that they “corrupted” reports. Such
conclusory and vague allegations fail to state a claim with any facial plausibility. Therefore, the
claims against these defendants will be dismissed for failure to state a claim that satisfies the
Iqbal standard. This dismissal is without prejudice.
F. Edison Police Department
Mr. Vessels names the Edison Police Department as a defendant. Parenthetically, the
proper defendant would be the Township of Edison. The police department is just a department
of Township government, not an entity that can sue or be sued in its own right. See See N.J. Stat.
Ann.

§ 40A:

14—118 (municipal police department is “an executive and enforcement function of

municipal government”); Woodyardv. Cty. ofEssex, 514 F. App’x 177, 181 (3d Cir. 2013)
(Township of lrvington’s police department is “a municipal police department is not an entity
separate from the municipality”); Padilla v. Twp. of Cherry Hill, 110 F. Appx. 272, 278 (3d

9

Cir.2004) (“In Section 1983 actions, police departments cannot be sued in conjunction with
municipalities, because the police department is merely an administrative arm of the local
municipality, and is not a separate judicial entity.”); Rivera v. Zwiegle, No. CIV 13-3024 KM
MAR, 2014 WL 6991954, at *3 (D.N.J. Dec. 9, 2014) (same, Township of Byram).
I therefore consider the defendant to be the Township of Edison, rather than its police
department. In a Section 1983 action, however, a municipality cannot be held vicariously liable
for the acts of its officers via respondeat superior. See Rode v. Dellarciprete, 845 F.2d 1195,
1207 (3d Cir. 1988). Furthermore, the complaint fails to make any allegations of an
unconstitutional policy or custom that would create municipal liability under Monell v Dep’t of
Social Servs. New York City, 436 U.S. 658 (1978). See Hildebrand v. Allegheny Cnty., 757 F.3d
99, 110-11 (3d Cir. 2014) (complaint must plead facts to support Monell liability); McTernan v.
City of York, Pa., 564 F.3d 636, 658 (3d Cir. 2009) (stating to satisfy pleading standard for
Monell claim, complaint ‘must identif, a custom or policy, and specify what exactly that custom
or policy was’); Karmo v. Borough ofDarby, No. 14-2797, 2014 WL 4763831, at *6 (E.D. Pa.
Sept. 25, 2014) (same).
Accordingly, Mr. Vessels’ claims against the Township of Edison (or the Edison Police
Department) are dismissed without prejudice.
G. Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office
Mr. Vessels also names the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office as a defendant. Here,
too, Mr. Vessels fails to allege any unconstitutional policy or custom that would make the
County Prosecutor liable under Monell. See Rode, 845 F.2d at 1207. More importantly, when a
New Jersey County Prosecutors exercise classic law enforcement and investigative functions,
they act as an officers of the State. Functioning as such, they are immune under the Eleventh

10

Amendment and are not “persons” who may be liable under

§

1983. See Estate ofLagano v.

Bergen Cnty. Prosecutor Office, 769 F.3d 850, 855 (3d Cir. 2014) (quoting Coleman v. Kaye,
87 F.3d 1491, 1505 (3d Cir. 1996)).
All claims against the County Prosecutor are therefore dismissed with prejudice.
H. Middlesex County Adult Correction Center
Mr. Vessels also names the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center as a defendant.
However, the Correction Center is not a “person” subject to liability under

§

1983. See Owens v.

Armstrong, 171 F. Supp. 3d 316, 337 (D.N.J. 2016) (citing Grabow v. Southern State Corr.
Facility, 726 F. Supp. 537, 538—39 (D.N.J. 1989)). Mr. Vessels’ claims against the Middlesex
County Adult Correction Center are therefore dismissed with prejudice.
I.

Michael Cranston
Finally, Mr. Vessels names Michael Cranston, Warden of the Middlesex County Adult

Correction Center, as a defendant. He claims that Cranston is violating his constitutional rights
by permitting correctional officers to deny him breathing treatment for his asthma. Furthermore,
he claims that Cranston is liable because he allows correctional officers to beat on imnates.
3
i.

Breathing Treatment

I first consider the alleged deprivation of breathing treatment for asthma. This claim is
analyzed under the Fourteenth Amendment, as Mr. Vessels states in the complaint that he is a
pretrial detainee. See Tapp v. Brazill, 645 F. App’x 141, 145 n.4 (3d Cir. 2016). Nevertheless,
the Eighth Amendment’s “deliberate indifference” standard provides a guide to what is due
pretrial detainees. See Id. (citing Natale v. Camden Cnty. Corr. Facility, 318 F.3d 575, 581-82
(3d Cir. 2003)).
Ordinarily, such conditions-of-confinement claims would not be properly joined with the
unlawful search claims. Because the complaint fails to state a claim, I will conserve resources by
not reaching the joinder issue unless and until it becomes necessary.
11

For the delay or denial of medical care to rise to a violation of the
Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual
punishment, a prisoner must demonstrate “(1) that defendants were
deliberately indifferent to [his] medical needs and (2) that those
needs were serious.” Rouse v. Plantier, 182 F.3d 192, 197 (3d Cir.
1999). Deliberate indifference requires proof that the official
“knows of and disregards an excessive risk to inmate health or
safety.” Natale v. Camden Cnty. Corr. Facility, 318 F.3d 575, 582
(3d Cir. 2003) (quoting Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837
(1994)). We have found deliberate indifference where a prison
official: “(1) knows of a prisoner’s need for medical treatment but
intentionally refuses to provide it; (2) delays necessary medical
treatment based on a nonmedical reason; or (3) prevents a prisoner
from receiving needed or recommended treatment.” Rouse, 182
F.3d at 197. Deference is given to prison medical authorities in the
diagnosis and treatment of patients, and courts “disavow any
attempt to second-guess the propriety or adequacy of a particular
course of treatment (which) remains a question of sound
professional judgment.” Inmates ofAllegheny Cnty. Jail v. Pierce,
612 F.2d 754, 762 (3d Cir. 1979) (quoting Bowring v. Godwin, 551
F.2d 44, 48 (4th Cir. 1977)). Allegations of negligent treatment or
medical malpractice do not trigger constitutional protections.
Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 105-06 (1976).
...

Pierce v. Pitkins, 520 F. App’x 64, 66 (3d Cir. 2013). Deliberate indifference can also be found
“where the prison official persists in a course of treatment in the face of resultant pain and risk of
permanent injury.” See McCluskey v. Vincent, 505 F. App’x 199, 202 (3d Cir. 2012) (internal
quotation marks and citation omitted). “A medical need is serious if it ‘has been diagnosed by a
physician as requiring treatment,’ or if it ‘is so obvious that a lay person would easily recognize
the necessity for a doctor’s attention.’ “See Mitchell v. Beard, 492 F. App’x 230, 236 (3d Cir.
2012) (quoting Atkinson v. Taylor, 316 F.3d 257, 272-73 (3d Cir. 2003) (quoting Monmouth
Cnty. Inst. Inmates v. Lanzaro, 834 F.2d 326, 347 (3d Cir. 1987))).
Mr. Vessels fails to state a claim of deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs.
He states that Cranston, as warden, “allowed correctional officers to risk [his] life by not
allowing [Mr. Vessels] to get a breathing treatment.” (Dkt. No. I at p. 4) However, Mr. Vessels
1

12

does not allege what this breathing treatment was or why it was necessary to satisfy any serious
medical need he had. Furthermore, Mr. Vessels fails to allege the personal involvement of
Cranston in this purported denial. “[Ljiability cannot be predicated solely on the operation of
respondeat superior. Personal involvement can be shown through allegations of personal
direction or of actual knowledge and acquiescence.” Evancho v. Fisher, 423 F.3d 347, 353 (3d
Cir. 2005) (citation omitted). The complaint contains no allegation that Cranston directed the
officers’ activities or was actually aware of Mr. Vessels’ need for a particular type of reatment.
Therefore, this claim will be dismissed without prejudice.
ii.

Failure to Protect

Mr. Vessels asserts a claim that Warden Cranston failed to protect inmates from beatings
by guards, or even condoned such beatings.
To state a claim against a prison official for failure to protect, “the inmate must plead
facts that show (1) he was incarcerated under conditions posing a substantial risk of serious
harm, (2) the official was deliberately indifferent to that substantial risk to his health and safety,
and (3) the official’s deliberate indifference caused him harm.” Bistrian v. Levi, 696 F.3d 352,
367 (3d Cir. 2012) (citing Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994); Hamilton v. Leavy, 117
F.3d 742, 746 (3d Cir. 1997)). “Deliberate indifference” is a subjective standard whereby “the
prison official-defendant must actually have known or been aware of the excessive risk to inmate
safety.” Id. (citing Beers-CapItol v. Wheizel, 256 F.3d 120,125 (3d Cir. 2001)). As noted by the
Third Circuit:
It is not sufficient that the official should have known of the risk.
[Beers Capitol, 256 F.3d at] 133. A plaintiff can, however, prove
an official’s actual knowledge of a substantial risk to his safety “in
the usual ways, including inference from circumstantial evidence.”
Farmer, 511 U.S. at 842. In other words, “a factfinder may

13

conclude that a prison official knew of a substantial risk from the
very fact that the risk was obvious.” Id.
Bistrian, 696 F.3d at 367.
The complaint does not allege with any factually plausibility and specificity that Mr.
Vessels was incarcerated under conditions posing a substantial risk of serious harm to him or that
Cranston was deliberately indifferent to that risk. More fundamentally, Mr. Vessels does not
state that he was harmed in any way; he alleges only that Cranston allowed officers to beat on
“inmates.”
The Court therefore dismisses this failure-to-protect claim against Cranston without
prejudice.
V.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, only Mr. Vessels’ unlawful search claim against defendants
Varga, Connelly, Gzemski, and Feneis, insofar as it seeks monetary relief, will be permitted to
proceed past screening. An appropriate order consistent with this Opinion will be entered.

DATED: February 6, 2017
United States District Judge

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