Crist v. Lopez

Filing 36

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER DENYING 14 MOTION to Compel, DENYING 15 Request for Proof of Service, DENYING 16 MOTION for Default Judgment, DENYING 26 MOTION for Default Judgment, DENYING 29 MOTION for Order; GRANTING 27 MOTIO N to Take Judicial Notice; and DISMISSING 18 MOTION for Consent and DISMISSING 1 Plaintiff's Civil Rights Complaint without prejudice for failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) and 28 U.S.C. Section 1915(e)(2)(B) by District Judge Martha Vazquez. (laz) Modified on Document Type on 10/2/2017 (kw).

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO

EDWARD BRIAN CRIST,
Plaintiff,
vs.

No. CV 16-00950 MV/LF

DETECTIVE JOE LOPEZ #5425,
Defendant.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
THIS MATTER is before the Court on the Prisoner’s Civil Rights Complaint filed by
Plaintiff, Edward Brian Crist, on August 22, 2016. (Doc. 1). The Court will dismiss the
Complaint for failure to state a claim under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) and 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915(e)(2)(B). Also pending before the Court are several motions filed by Plaintiff Crist. The
Court’s disposition of the motions is set out in part II, below.
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff Edward Brian Crist is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis. He has three
pending civil rights cases in this Court.1 This case, Edward Brian Crist v. Detective Joe Lopez
#5425, was filed by Crist on August 22, 2016. (CV 16-00950 MV/LF, Doc. 1). Edward Brian
Crist v. Detective Joe Lopez #5425 was initially filed in New Mexico state court on August 22,
2016 and was removed to this Court by the Defendant on October 6, 2016 (CV 16-01107
MV/KRS, Doc. 1 and 1-1). Edward Brian Crist v. Officer Jared Nix, et al., was filed in this
Court by Crist on October 28, 2016. (CV 16-01190 RB/KBM).

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  Crist also filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, which was docketed as case no. CV 1601276 RB/LF. The habeas corpus proceeding was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. (CV 1601276 RB/LF, Doc. 21).

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Plaintiff Crist has a lengthy history of criminal charges and convictions in the state courts
of New Mexico. See State of New Mexico cause nos. D-101-CR-1992-00253, D-101-CR-199200394, D-202-CR-1993-01119, D-101-CR-1995-00100, D-202-CR-1999-03699, D-202-CR2000-01166, D-202-CR-2000-01537, D-202-CR-2001-01810, D-202-CR-2004-01213, D-202CR-2013-01260, and D-202-CR-2016-01969.2 The allegations in all three of Plaintiff Crist’s
pending cases arise out of the underlying arrest and criminal prosecution of Crist in cause no. D202-CR-2016-01969. (CV 16-00950 MV/LF, Doc. 1; CV 16-01107 MV/KRS, Doc. 1; CV 1601190 RB/KBM, Doc. 1).
The record in Crist’s pending cases shows that at about 4:42 pm on June 8, 2016,
Albuquerque Police Department (“APD”) officers were dispatched to the Blake’s Lottaburger at
6215 San Mateo Dr. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, in reference to an armed robbery. Victims
told police officers that a male subject pointed a shotgun at them and demanded money. Based
on a surveillance video, the suspect was described as wearing prescription eyeglasses, white
hoodie, black and white shorts, maroon “van” type shoes, a white jersey with the number 19 on
it, a ring on his left hand, a bandana over his face, and tattoos on his right lower leg. (CV 161107 MV/KRS, Doc. 11 at 6). A witness reported seeing the male suspect get into a white
vehicle bearing New Mexico registration plate 910TNB.

New Mexico Motor Vehicle

Department records indicated the vehicle was registered to Brian Edward Crist and was a white
2004 Buick 4 door sedan. (CV 16-1107 MV/KRS, Doc. 11 at 6).

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  The Court takes judicial notice of publicly filed records in this court and other courts
concerning matters that bear directly upon the disposition of this case. United States v. Ahidley,
486 F.3d 1184, 1192 n. 5 (10th Cir. 2007); Duhart v. Carlson, 469 F.2d 471, 473 (10th Cir.
1972).

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At approximately 8:42 pm on June 8, 2016, APD officers were dispatched to the Pizza
Hut located at 2640 Carlisle Blvd. NE in Albuquerque in reference to an armed robbery. A
female employee reported that a male suspect pointed a shotgun at her and demanded cash from
the register. A female customer stated that she saw two subjects enter the store. She described
the first male as tall, about 6-feet, skinny, and wearing a gray zip up hoodie, shades, and a black
and white bandana covering his face. She said that, on entering, the male ordered everyone on
the ground and racked the shotgun, chambering a round. She felt someone moving things in her
purse and, after the incident, noticed her wallet, containing her identification documents and
bank/debit cards, was missing. (CV 16-1107 MV/KRS, Doc. 11 at 7).
At around 1:19 am on June 9, 2016, Sandia Pueblo Tribal Officer Jerade Nix was
dispatched to the Sandia Resort and Casino located at 30 Rainbow Road, Sandia Pueblo, New
Mexico, in reference to a “firearms exchange” on the fourth level of the parking structure.
Security Officer Johnny Garcia informed Officer Nix that he had reviewed video surveillance
footage and had observed the driver of a red colored Honda passenger car make a firearm
exchange with the owner/operator of a white vehicle. The video surveillance showed that a
shotgun or long rifle was placed in the trunk of a white, four-door vehicle bearing New Mexico
plate 910TNB. Officer Nix, Officer Garcia, and Officer Tommy Gonzales made their way to the
fourth level and, by the white four-door vehicle bearing plate 910TNB, located the subject shown
on the video placing the firearm in the trunk. The subject was identified as Edward Crist through
his New Mexico Driver’s License. Officers reported that Mr. Crist stated he is a convicted felon
and that there was a shotgun in the trunk of his car. During a pat-down search, a glass pipe and
three small baggies of a black substance, suspected to be black tar heroin, were located in Mr.
Crist’s right, front pocket. The license plate on the vehicle was run by the officers and returned

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as registered to Edward Crist. Dispatch also notified Officer Nix that APD had run the plate on
the vehicle approximately 10 times earlier that night and APD stated that the vehicle was
involved in two armed robberies in Albuquerque earlier in the night. With Mr. Crist’s
permission, the officers opened the trunk and retrieved a 12 gauge model 88 Maverick shotgun,
loaded with six shotgun shells, and a military flak jacket. (CV 16-1107 MV/KRS, Doc. 11 at 1112).
At 3:12 am on June 9, 2016, Detective Lopez met with Edward Crist and read him his
Miranda rights. Detective Lopez described Crist as wearing black, white, and grey plaid shorts,
a pink shirt, red shoes with a white sole, and prescription glasses. Lopez stated Crist had tattoos
on his lower right leg. Detective Lopez reported that Officer Nix had informed him Sandia
police officers had located a shot gun, hand gun, and methamphetamines in the vehicle during
their inventory of the vehicle and that the vehicle was going to a secure lot at Duggar’s Towing.
Officer Nix arranged to have the vehicle released by Duggar’s Towing to APD pending a search
warrant. (CV 16-01107 MV/KRS, Doc. 11 at 39-40).
On June 10, 2016, Officer Nix filed a Criminal Complaint in the State of New Mexico,
County of Bernalillo, Metropolitan Court relating to the detention and arrest on June 9, 2016.
(Doc. 10 at 6). The Criminal Complaint was docketed as case no. T-4-FR-2016-003073. For
unknown reasons, the case caption identified the Defendant as “Kirksey, Robert.” (Doc. 10 at 6).
However, the Complaint listed the 704 Glacier Bay St SE address for Edward Crist, and the body
of the Complaint identified Edward Crist as the suspect who was detained, arrested, and
transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center (“MDC”).

The Complaint charged the

Defendant with possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon and possession of a
controlled substance. (Doc. 10 at 6).

Metropolitan Court Judge Victor Valdez made a

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determination on June 10, 2016, that there was probable cause a crime had been committed, but
no probable cause that the crime was committed by the wrongly-named Defendant, Robert
Kirksey. Based on the wrongly-named defendant, the Judge ordered that Crist be released. (See
T-4-FR-2016-003073).
Also on June 10, 2016, Detective Joe Lopez filed a Criminal Complaint—Arrest Warrant
Affidavit in the Metropolitan Court. (See CV 16-01107 MV/KRS, Doc. 11). The ComplaintArrest Warrant Affidavit was docketed as Metropolitan Court case no. T-4-FR-2016-00310. The
Complaint-Arrest Warrant Affidavit states:
06/09/2016 0200 HRS
I was notified by APD dispatch that Officers with the Sandia Pueblo
were out on a shots fired call and they were with a male subject
who was in the vehicle bearing NM 910 NTB. I asked dispatch to give
my contact information to the officer handling the case with Sandia
Pueblo. Officer Jared Nix of Sandia pueblo called me and informed me
he was out with a male who they had in custody for shooting at another
vehicle. Officer Nix informed me the male had a shot gun during the
incident. Officer Nix described the male they had in custody as 6’01” 214
pounds wearing brown and grey plaid shorts and an orange shirt and
provided the name of Edward Crist. I informed Officer Nix the male
matched the description of robberies that had taken place on 06/08/2016
and asked if I could interview him at their office.
(CV 16-01107 MV/KRS, Doc. 11 at 7-8). Case T-4-FR-2016-00310 was transferred to the State
of New Mexico, Second Judicial District Court, for presentment of the criminal charges to a
Grand Jury.
The case was docketed in the Second Judicial District Court as D-202-CR02016-01969
and Grand Jury proceedings were held in CR-2016-01969 on June 23, 2016.

Both APD

Detective Joe Lopez and Defendant Edward Crist testified before the Grand Jury. (CV 16-01107
MV/KRS, Doc. 17). Detective Lopez testified, in pertinent part, that he was contacted by
officers from the Sandia Pueblo Police Department around 2:00 am on June 9. They advised him

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that they were with a male subject that was in a vehicle bearing New Mexico plate 910-MTB and
that APD dispatch had informed them the vehicle was connected to armed robbery earlier in the
day. They advised him the subject was approximately 6’1”, 214 pounds wearing brown and grey
plaid shorts with an orange shirt, named Edward Crist. Mr. Crist was then transferred over to the
custody of Detective Lopez. The vehicle was turned over to Detective Lopez on June 10.
Detective Lopez obtained a search warrant for the car and located several shotgun rounds,
handgun rounds and a handgun, a bandana with black and green camouflage, and a black and
white bandana with two ends tied together. (CV 16-01107 MV/KRS, Doc. 17 at 8-18).
The Grand Jury indicted Crist on three counts of armed robbery (firearm enhancement),
six counts of aggravated assault (firearm enhancement), one count of conspiracy to commit
armed robbery and/or aggravated assault, one count of child abuse, and two counts of possession
of a firearm by a felon, including one count arising out of the June 9, 2016 incident at the Sandia
Resort and Casino. (CV 16-01107 MV/KRS, Doc. 11 at 15-18). On March 6, 2017, the State of
New Mexico filed a nolle prosequi in D-202-CR-2016-01969 on the grounds that the case was
being referred for federal prosecution. A federal Grand Jury Indictment was filed against Crist
on November 15, 2016 and criminal charges are pending in this Court. (See CR 16-04356 JCH,
Doc. 1).
Plaintiff Crist filed his Prisoner Civil Rights Complaint in this case on August 22, 2016.
(Doc. 1). Crist alleges “gross negligence, defamation of character, cruel and unusual punishment
equal protection under the law, due process violations, violations of my civil rights.” Crist seeks
monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages in the amount of $1,000,000. (Doc. 1 at 7).

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II. PLAINTIFF CRIST’S PENDING MOTIONS
Before the Court are seven motions filed by Plaintiff Crist. Four of the pending motions,
Motion to Compel (Doc. 14), Request for Proof of Service (Doc. 15), Motion for Default
Judgment (Doc. 16), and Motion for Default Judgment (Doc. 26) are in the nature of requests
that the Court enter a default judgment against the Defendant, Joe Lopez, for failure to file an
answer to the Complaint. The Court has not ordered service of process on Defendant Lopez and,
therefore, Defendant Lopez is not in default. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). The Court will deny
Docs. 14, 15, 16, and 26.
Plaintiff Crist has also filed two motions asking the Court to take judicial notice. Under
Fed. R. Evid. 201(b), the Court may take judicial notice of publicly filed records in this court and
other courts concerning matters that bear directly upon the disposition of the case at hand. United
States v. Ahidley, 486 F.3d 1184, 1192 n. 5 (10th Cir. 2007); Duhart v. Carlson, 469 F.2d 471,
473 (10th Cir. 1972). See also, Shoulders v. Dinwiddie, 2006 WL 2792671 (W.D. Okla. 2006)
(court may take judicial notice of state court records available on the world wide web including
docket sheets in district courts); Stack v. McCotter, 2003 WL 22422416 (10th Cir. 2003)
(unpublished opinion) (concluding a state district court's docket sheet is an official court record
subject to judicial notice under Fed. R. Evid. 201).
The first Motion for Judicial Notice (Doc. 27) asks the Court to take notice of filings in
United States v. Crist, CR 16-04356 JCH. The court records and filings are public records
properly subject to judicial notice under Fed. R. Evid. 201. Ahidley, 486 F.3d at 1192 n. 5.
Accordingly, the Court will grant the Motion and take judicial notice of the documents filed in
CR 16-04356 JCH. The Court’s granting of the Motion, however, should not be construed as
approval of the conclusory allegations and statements contained in Crist’s Motion.

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Crist’s second Motion for Judicial Notice (Doc. 29) asks the Court to take judicial notice
of a letter sent to Crist by his Assistant Federal Public Defender. The letter is not a public record
subject to judicial notice and the Motion will be denied. Hynoski v. Columbia Cty.
Redevelopment Auth., 941 F. Supp. 2d 547, 557 (M.D. Pa. 2013) (letters of counsel do not satisfy
the requirements of Fed. R. Evid. 201(b)). The Court will deny Plaintiff Crist’s second Motion
for Judicial Notice.
Last, Plaintiff Crist has filed a Motion of Consent (Doc. 18), stating that he consents to
the Order of Reference (Doc. 17) referring this case to Magistrate Judge Laura Fashing under the
provisions of 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b)(1)(B) and (b)(3). In the context of prisoner civil rights cases,
Plaintiff Crist’s consent is not necessary for reference of the case to a Magistrate Judge under §§
636(b)(1)(B) and (b)(3). The Court will dismiss Crist’s Motion of Consent as unnecessary.
III. PLAINTIFF CRIST’S COMPLAINT FAILS TO STATE A
§ 1983 CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIM ON WHICH RELIEF CAN BE GRANTED
Plaintiff, Edward Brian Crist, is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis. (Doc. 9). The
Court has the discretion to dismiss an in forma pauperis complaint sua sponte for failure to state
a claim upon which relief may be granted under either Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) or 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915(e)(2)(B). Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) the Court must accept all well-pled factual
allegations, but not conclusory, unsupported allegations, and may not consider matters outside
the pleading. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (2007); Dunn v. White, 880 F.2d
1188, 1190 (10th Cir. 1989). The Court may dismiss a complaint under rule 12(b)(6) for failure
to state a claim if “it is ‘patently obvious’ that the plaintiff could not prevail on the facts
alleged.” Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1109 (10th Cir. 1991) (quoting McKinney v.
Oklahoma Dep’t of Human Services, 925 F.2d 363, 365 (10th Cir. 1991)). A plaintiff must
allege “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at
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570. A claim should be dismissed where it is legally or factually insufficient to state a plausible
claim for relief. Id. at 555.
Under § 1915(e)(2)(B) the Court may dismiss the complaint at any time if the Court
determines the action fails to state a claim for relief or is frivolous or malicious. 28 U.S.C. §
1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). The authority granted by § 1915 permits the Court “the unusual power to
pierce the veil of the complaint’s factual allegations and dismiss those claims whose factual
contentions are clearly baseless.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327 (1989). See also
Bellmon, 935 F.2d at 1109. “The authority to ‘pierce the veil of the complaint's factual
allegations’ means that a court is not bound, as it usually is when making a determination based
solely on the pleadings, to accept without question the truth of the plaintiff's allegations.” Denton
v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 32 (1992). The Court is not required to accept the truth of the
plaintiff's allegations but, instead, may go beyond the pleadings and consider any other materials
filed by the parties, as well as court proceedings subject to judicial notice. Denton, 504 U.S. at
32-33.
In reviewing a pro se complaint, the Court liberally construes the factual allegations. See
Northington v. Jackson, 973 F.2d 1518, 1520-21 (10th Cir. 1992). However, a pro se plaintiff’s
pleadings are judged by the same legal standards that apply to all litigants and a pro se plaintiff
must abide by the applicable rules of court. Ogden v. San Juan County, 32 F.3d 452, 455 (10th
Cir. 1994). The court is not obligated to craft legal theories for the plaintiff or to supply factual
allegations to support the plaintiff’s claims. Nor may the court assume the role of advocate for
the pro se litigant. Bellmon, 935 F.2d at 1110.
Plaintiff Crist brings this action as a prisoner civil rights case under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
To state a claim for relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must assert acts by government

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officials acting under color of law that result in a deprivation of rights secured by the United
States Constitution. 42 U.S.C. § 1983; West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). There must be a
connection between official conduct and violation of a constitutional right. Conduct that is not
connected to a constitutional violation is not actionable under Section 1983. See Trask v. Franco,
446 F.3d 1036, 1046 (10th Cir. 1998).
Plaintiff Crist alleges:
I was booked into M.D.C. under a fictitious name of Robert Kirksey.
I never gave that name, nor have I ever used that name. I had photo
I.d. at the time that clearly Id me as Edward Crist. 215 pm June 10th
Case #T4FR16003073 went in front of Judge Valdez were [sic] he found
written cause that a crime had been committed and on the same
paper found that there was no probable cause on Robert Kirksey
citing ‘wrong name.’ I Edward Crist never got to see a Judge on the case
#T4FR16003073 that I was fictitiously booked under the name Robert
Kirksey.
(Doc. 1 at 3). Crist appears to claim that the mistaken use of the name “Robert Kirksey” was a
false statement. He makes generalized allegations that the actions of the officers constituted
gross negligence, defamation of character, cruel and unusual punishment, and equal protection or
due process violations. (Doc. 1 at 7). However, Crist does not specify how the use of the wrong
name violated any constitutional right. Trask, 446 F.3d at 1046.
Nor do his factual allegations regarding use of a fictitious name state a constitutional
claim against Defendant, Joe Lopez. Crist admits that he was correctly identified by his photo ID
at the time of his arrest by the Sandia Pueblo Tribal Officers and that the Judge in Metropolitan
Court case #T4FR-2016-003073 found probable cause that Crist’s actions, as set out in the body
of the Complaint, constituted a crime. (See T-4-FR-2016-003073). The mistaken use of “Robert
Kirksey” in the caption of the case actually benefited Crist in that the Judge ordered the release
of Crist due to the use of the “wrong name.” (T-4-FR-2016-003073). Further, the mistaken use

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of the name “Robert Kirksey” was committed by the Sandia Pueblo police officers. (CV 1600950 MV/LF, Doc. 10 at 6). Even if it did constitute a violation of Crist’s rights, APD
Detective Joe Lopez did not commit the violation and cannot be held liable under Section 1983
for the actions of the Tribal Officers. Trask, 446 F.3d at 1046. Crist’s allegations relating to use
of the fictitious name “Robert Kirksey” do not state a plausible claim for relief against Detective
Joe Lopez under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) or under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
Plaintiff Crist also alleges:
At 230 on June 10th 2016 an arrest warrant was signed by Judge Dominguez
based on a criminal complaint written by Detective Joe Lopez #5425 APD.
Detective Lopez states under penalty of perjury that he was notified by
APD Dispatch that officers with Sandia Pueblo were out at a shots
fired call were [sic] they had Edward Crist in custody for shooting at another
vehicle at 200 AM on June 9th 2016. Theres [sic] no way I could have been
in custody for shooting at another vehicle at a shots fired call if I was
already in custody by Sandia Pueblo police since 119 AM June 9th
2016 for a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a
controlled substance. Detective Lopez continues to give false
statement saying that as a direct result of a shots fired call Officer
Nix found a handgun and shotgun in the vehicle of Edward Crist.
Furthermore Detective Joe Lopez obtain a Grand jury Indictment
based on a criminal complaint that is false in case #CR 16-1969
is a false document contrary to T-4-FR 2016 003073 and Incident
Report by Jared Nix of the Sandia Pueblo Police Dept.
(Doc. 1 at 3-4). Crist’s contention that he could not have been in the custody of Sandia Pueblo
police as reported by Detective Lopez at 2:30 AM because he was already in Sandia Pueblo
police custody since 1:19 AM is illogical. Further, to the extent there are discrepancies between
reports by the Sandia Tribal Police and Detective Lopez’s reporting of information being
provided to him by APD Dispatch and the Sandia Pueblo police officers, those discrepancies do
not constitute “false statements” by Detective Lopez as alleged by Crist, nor does Crist specify
how those discrepancies constitute actions in violation of his constitutional rights. Atkins, 487

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U.S. at 48. Crist’s allegations against Detective Lopez fail to state a claim on which relief can be
granted under Rule 12(b)(6) and § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii).
IV. THE COURT WILL DECLINE TO EXERCISE
JURISDICTION OVER ANY STATE-LAW CLAIMS
Plaintiff Crist makes generalized references to “false statement,” “defamation of
character,” and “gross negligence.” To the extent these references may be construed to allege
claims under state law, they appear to be insufficient to state a claim for relief. However, the
Court does not address the question of the sufficiency of Crist’s allegations under state law. To
the extent Crist’s Complaint can be characterized as raising claims under New Mexico state law,
the Court will decline to exercise jurisdiction and dismiss those claims, as well.
When a complaint states federal claims for relief, but includes additional state-law
claims, a federal court may exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state-law claims under 28
U.S.C. § 1367(a) if the federal and state claims are based on a common nucleus of operative fact.
United Mine Workers v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715, 725 (1966). However, when all federal claims are
eliminated from the case, a district court should decline to exercise jurisdiction and dismiss the
state-law claims, without prejudice. Id. at 726-27. The Court has concluded that Plaintiff Crist’s
federal civil rights allegations do not state a claim for relief and has eliminated those claims from
the case. Therefore, the Court will decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over any statelaw causes of action and will dismiss without prejudice.
V. THE COURT WILL NOT GRANT LEAVE TO AMEND
In deciding whether to dismiss the complaint, in whole or in part, the court is to consider
whether to allow plaintiff an opportunity to amend the complaint. Pro se plaintiffs should be
given a reasonable opportunity to remedy defects in their pleadings. Reynoldson v. Shillinger,
907 F.2d 124, 126 (10th Cir. 1990). The opportunity to amend should be granted unless
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amendment would be futile. Bellmon, 935 F.2d at 1109. An amendment is futile if the amended
claims would also be subject to immediate dismissal under the rule 12(b)(6) or § 1915(e)(2)(B)
standards. Bradley v. Val-Mejias, 379 F.3d 892, 901 (10th Cir. 2004).
The Court will not grant Plaintiff Crist leave to amend his Complaint. First, Crist already
has multiple cases in this Court based on the same factual allegations. It is unlikely that any
amendment would do more than repeat the same allegations. Moreover, Crist’s Complaint is not
being dismissed due to defects in his pleading.

Instead, it is being dismissed under the

§ 1915(e)(2)(B) standard because the record in his pending cases establishes a lack of factual
support for his claims. Because further amendments would still be factually insufficient, any
amendment he might file would be futile. Val-Mejias, 379 F.3d at 901.
Last, Crist’s allegations relate to evidentiary discrepancies arising out of the arrest
underlying his pending criminal charges. Crist’s claims are premature at this time and the
evidentiary discrepancies should be litigated in the first instance in his pending criminal action.
See Smith v. Holt, 87 F.3d 108 (3d Cir. 1996) (claims that would necessarily imply the invalidity
of a future conviction that might be entered on a pending criminal charge do not accrue so long
as the potential for a judgment in the pending criminal prosecution continues to exist), cert.
denied, 519 U.S. 1041 (1996); Covington v. City of New York, 171 F.3d 117 (2d Cir. 1999)
(same). Any claims by Crist are premature and speculative until judgment has been entered on
his pending criminal charges and leave to amend at this stage would, again, be futile.
IT IS ORDERED:
(1) Plaintiff Edward Brian Crist’s Motion to Compel (Doc. 14), Request for Proof of
Service (Doc. 15), Motion for Default Judgment (Doc. 16), Motion for Default Judgment (Doc.
26) and Motion to Take Judicial Notice (Doc. 29) are DENIED;

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(2) Plaintiff Crist’s Motion to Take Judicial Notice (Doc. 27) is GRANTED;
(3) Plaintiff Crist’s Motion of Consent is DISMISSED as unnecessary; and
(4) Plaintiff Crist’s Prisoner’s Civil Rights Complaint (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED without
prejudice for failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6)
and 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).

_______________________________
MARTHA VÁZQUEZ
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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