Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc. v. Spirit of Utah Wilderness, Inc.
Filing
253
ORDER: granting 252 Letter Motion to Stay re: 252 LETTER MOTION to Stay re: 250 Order on Motion to Stay, Cancel arrest warrant or stay execution. addressed to Judge Nelson Stephen Roman from Joseph A. Vita dated January 14, 2022. Mr. Salt's request for an extension to the stay is Granted. The arrest warrant will be stayed until March 16, 2022 to allow Mr. Salt time to comply with the Court's Orders. The Clerk of Court is directed to terminate the motion at ECF No. 252. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Nelson Stephen Roman on 1/14/2022) (ama)
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Marks, from 20,000 to 30,000 documents, and due to his health issues, as well as the sheer
volume of the materials, he is unable to produce these materials in a timely manner.
In an e-mail I received from Mr. Salt today he indicated “I’m resigned to the fact that I
will have to supply the information and documents ordered by the Court, but I have not been
physically able to do so at this time.”
In this email he describes in detail the medical ailments he was been dealing with in the
past year which have impacted his ability to timely comply with the Court’s orders.
“I've been chronically and seriously ill for over 8 months. Since early May 2021, I've had
69 medical appointments for exams, consultations, tests and procedures. Throughout my adult
life, I've rarely had to see doctors except for emergency and urgent care conditions. Since early
May, I've had 66 medical tests and procedures. I've been admitted to the University of Utah
Health Long COVID Clinic as a long-hauler COVID patient. During this same period, I've been
admitted and treated three times at the University Hospital Emergency Department. I've been
referred to two other highly specialty medical clinics to further assist in diagnosis and treatment
of my chronic illnesses. I have just recently been admitted to the University of Utah Autonomic
Physiology Lab (1 of only 3 such clinics in the entire country -- Salt Lake City, Rochester,
Phoenix, and extremely difficult to be accepted and scheduled for testing and treatment). I've also
been referred to and awaiting acceptance to the Bateman Horne Clinic for chronic fatigue and
post viral syndrome illnesses -- considered the premiere clinic of its kind in Utah. I have chronic
symptoms that my medical team providers are having a difficult time diagnosing and treating
because of the unusual and complex nature of these COVID-related issues. These symptoms have
greatly affected and diminished my routine life activities and ability to conduct the necessary
research to comply with the Court's order. I've had two of my providers submit letters to
substantiate my chronic and debilitating health problems. The most significant of these health
issues that relate to the Court's order are chronic fatigue, brain fog, confusion, inability to
concentrate and focus, dizziness, nausea, fainting, blood pressure variations, headaches, and
respiratory problems.”
He also expressed in the email concerns about the impact of COVID which is presently
causing a renewed crises not only in the general population, but also within the prison
community:
“ In addition to my chronic and debilitating illnesses, the omicron variant of the COVID
virus is spreading like wildfire in Utah and across the country. In Utah, the number of new
positive COVID test results has exploded with new records being set just about every day. I am
at very high risk for the omicron variant, not only because of its infectiousness, but also due to
my compromised immune system and the fact that I have not taken the recent booster
vaccination. The reason I've not taken the booster is because I had such a rare and severe adverse
reaction to the initial vaccinations back in May and June 2021. My current illnesses are largely
correlated to the vaccine. The concern is that taking the booster will worsen my already chronic
and debilitating condition. As a result of my chronic illnesses, I have not been able to carry out
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many routine daily activities. I spend roughly 95% of my time at home in bed on a daily basis.
Most of my weekly schedule consists of going to doctor appointments. I've not been able to work
fully since May 2021, and must rely on family support and public subsidized programs to pay my
monthly bills. I still have not been about to compile records and prepare my 2020 tax returns. I've
never not filed my tax returns on time. Simple tasks like doing laundry and dishes and feeding
my pet cats are challenging and difficult for me to do. I also have a hernia that flared up recently,
I'm meeting with my surgical team this afternoon to schedule the necessary surgery. I've had to
postpone this surgery for nearly 2 years due to the COVID epidemic and my underlying health
issues.”
“I am also ordered to adopt and follow a highly restrictive diet for the next 30 days and
onwards for several months as the diet is adjusted to deal with some of my unusual GI symptoms.
I'm also seeing mental health therapists due to my depression that has resulted from my
prolonged chronic heath problems.”
Mr. Salt also had a family issue involving a close relative who recently passed away
which impacted his ability to comply with the Court’s order. “In addition, despite my health
conditions and limitations, I've been providing limited support and assistance for a family
member who recently passed away. My last aunt died yesterday morning, January 13th. She was
94. After spending 8 weeks in a care facility recovering from a fall, she required additional
assistance and support when she returned home. She digressed rather quickly after returning
home in early December, and was eventually cared for by a hospice provider, and then moved to
an assisted living facility on December 23rd, 2021. I was the only other family member in Utah
besides her only daughter who could assist her during this time. The services for my aunt are
scheduled for Thursday January 20, 2022.”
Mr. Salt provided a list of his past and upcoming medical appointments to substantiate
his medical situation. (list attached)
I note that Mr. Salt has complied with the primary requirements of the judgment (ECF
100, 160) insofar as he submitted proof through counsel that he ceased infringing on Plaintiff’s
trademarks (ECF 195) and publicly posted the Statement required by the 2d contempt order (ECF
160, 225).
Arresting Mr. Salt and confining him to a federal detention facility will in no way
facilitate his ability to comply with any requirement of producing documents; it would have just
the opposite effect. Given that he has ceased using Waterkeeper Marks and provided a detailed
financial affidavit and supporting documentation, and in light of his documented medical
ailments I urge the Court to exercise its discretion to either vacate the arrest warrant or further
stay execution.
In summary, I am requesting that the Court grant the applications contained in this letter
together with such other and further relief as the Court deems appropriate in the interest of
justice.
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Thank you for considering this request.
Respectfully submitted,
/S/ Joseph A. Vita
Joseph A. Vita
Cc:
Jeffrey Salt via EMAIL
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