Opinion
21-CV-9076 (JGK)
12-07-2021
RASHAWN KINGSBERRY, Plaintiff, v. N.Y.C./D.O.C./V.C.B.C. WARDEN CARTER; N.Y.C/D.O.C./V.C.B.C. CAPTAIN GUERRA; 3-AA HOUSING UNIT CAPTAIN; N.Y.C./D.O.C./V.C.B.C. CAPTAIN JOHN DOE INTAKE SUPERVISING CAPTAIN; N.YC./D.O.C./V.C.B.C. CAPTAIN HORTON, Defendants.
ORDER OF SERVICE
JOHN G KOELTL, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Plaintiff, who is currently detained in the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island, brings this pro se action alleging that Defendants violated his federal constitutional rights while he was confined in the Vernon C. Bain Center (VCBC) in Bronx, New York. By order dated December 5, 2021, the Court granted Plaintiff's request to proceed without prepayment of fees, that is, in forma pauperis (IFP).
Prisoners are not exempt from paying the full filing fee, even when they have been granted permission to proceed IFP. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1).
The Court requests that Defendants Carter, Horton, and Guerra waive service of summons. The Court directs the New York City Law Department to provide to Plaintiff and the Court the identity and badge number of Defendant "Captain John Doe."
DISCUSSION
A. Waiver of Service
The Court directs the Clerk of Court to notify the New York City Department of Correction and the New York City Law Department of this order. The Court requests that (1) C. Carter, the VCBC Warden; (2) Captain Horton, a VCBC Facility Storehouse Captain; and (3) Captain Guerra, the VCBC Housing Unit 3-AA Shift Supervisor, waive service of summons.
B. "Captain John Doe"
Under Valentin v. Dinkins, a. pro se litigant is entitled to assistance from the district court in identifying a defendant. 121 F.3d 72, 76 (2d Cir. 1997). In the complaint, Plaintiff supplies sufficient information to permit the New York City Department of Correction (DOC) to identify "Captain John Doe," a VCBC Facility Shift Supervising Captain on duty in the VCBC on October 5, 2021. It is therefore ordered that the New York City Law Department, which represents the DOC, must ascertain the identity and badge number of "Captain John Doe," whom Plaintiff seeks to sue here, and the address where that defendant may be served. The New York City Law Department must provide this information to Plaintiff and the Court within 60 days of the date of this order.
If "Captain John Doe" is a current or former DOC employee or official, the New York City Law Department should note in the response to this order that an electronic request for a waiver of service can be made under the e-service agreement for cases involving DOC defendants, rather than by personal service at a DOC facility. If "Captain John Doe" is not a current or former DOC employee or official, but otherwise works or worked at a DOC facility, the New York City Law Department must provide a residential address where that individual may be served.
Within 30 days of receiving this information, Plaintiff must file an amended complaint naming the newly identified individual as a defendant. The amended complaint will replace, not supplement, the original complaint. An amended complaint form that Plaintiff should complete is attached to this order. Once Plaintiff has filed an amended complaint, the Court will screen the amended complaint and, if necessary, issue an order asking that defendant to waive service.
CONCLUSION
The Court directs the Clerk of Court to electronically notify the New York City Department of Correction and the New York City Law Department of this order. The Court requests that the following defendants waive service of summons: (1) C. Carter, the VCBC Warden; (2) Captain Horton, a VCBC Facility Storehouse Captain; and (3) Captain Guerra, a VCBC Housing Unit 3-AA Shift Supervisor.
The Court further directs the Clerk of Court to mail a copy of this order and the complaint to New York City Law Department at 100 Church Street, New York, New York 10007.
An amended complaint form is attached to this order.
The Court also directs the Clerk of Court to mail a copy of this order to Plaintiff, together with an information package.
SO ORDERED.
AMENDED COMPLAINT
Write the full name of each defendant. If you cannot fit the names of all of the defendants in the space provided, please write "see attached" in the space above and attach an additional sheet of paper with the full list of names. The names listed above must be identical to those contained in Section IV.
NOTICE
The public can access electronic court files. For privacy and security reasons, papers filed with the court should therefore not contain: an individual's full social security number or full birth date; the full name of a person known to be a minor; or a complete financial account number. A filing may include only: the last four digits of a social security number; the year of an individual's birth; a minor's initials; and the last four digits of a financial account number. See Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2.
I. LEGAL BASIS FOR CLAIM
State below the federal legal basis for your claim, if known. This form is designed primarily for prisoners challenging the constitutionality of their conditions of confinement; those claims are often brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (against state, county, or municipal defendants) or in a "Bivens" action (against federal defendants).
[ ] Violation of my federal constitutional rights
[ ] Other:
II. PLAINTIFF INFORMATION
Each plaintiff must provide the following information. Attach additional pages if necessary.
State any other names (or different forms of your name) you have ever used, including any name you have used in previously filing a lawsuit.
Prisoner ID # (if you have previously been in another agency's custody, please specify each agency and the ID number (such as your DIN or NYSID) under which you were held)
III. PRISONER STATUS
Indicate below whether you are a prisoner or other confined person:
[ ] Pretrial detainee
[ ] Civilly committed detainee
[ ] Immigration detainee
[ ] Convicted and sentenced prisoner
[ ] Other:
IV. DEFENDANT INFORMATION
To the best of your ability, provide the following information for each defendant. If the correct information is not provided, it could delay or prevent service of the complaint on the defendant. Make sure that the defendants listed below are identical to those listed in the caption. Attach additional pages as necessary.
V. STATEMENT OF CLAIM
Place(s) of occurrence: __
Date(s) of occurrence: __
FACTS:
State here briefly the FACTS that support your case. Describe what happened, how you were harmed, and how each defendant was personally involved in the alleged wrongful actions. Attach additional pages as necessary.
INJURIES:
If you were injured as a result of these actions, describe your injuries and what medical treatment, if any, you required and received.
VI. RELIEF
State briefly what money damages or other relief you want the court to order.
VII. PLAINTIFF'S CERTIFICATION AND WARNINGS
By signing below, I certify to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief that: (1) the complaint is not being presented for an improper purpose (such as to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation); (2) the claims are supported by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument to change existing law; (3) the factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery; and (4) the complaint otherwise complies with the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11.
I understand that if I file three or more cases while I am a prisoner that are dismissed as frivolous, malicious, or for failure to state a claim, I may be denied in forma pauperis status in future cases.
I also understand that prisoners must exhaust administrative procedures before filing an action in federal court about prison conditions, 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a), and that my case may be dismissed if I have not exhausted administrative remedies as required.
I agree to provide the Clerk's Office with any changes to my address. I understand that my failure to keep a current address on file with the Clerk's Office may result in the dismissal of my case.
Each Plaintiff must sign and date the complaint. Attach additional pages if necessary. If seeking to proceed without prepayment of fees, each plaintiff must also submit an IFP application.
Date on which I am delivering this complaint to prison authorities for mailing: __