Opinion
Case No. 21-00571 EJD (PR)
04-29-2021
THOMAS BYRD, Plaintiff, v. GOOGLE, et al., Defendants.
ORDER OF DISMISSAL; DENYING MOTION AS MOOT
(Docket No. 19)
Plaintiff, a prisoner in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, filed the instant pro se civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against "Google Headquarters C.E.O. [and] all media outlets own[ed] by Google." Dkt. No. 20. Plaintiff has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Dkt. No. 15.
DISCUSSION
A. Standard of Review
A federal court must conduct a preliminary screening in any case in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). In its review, the court must identify any cognizable claims and dismiss any claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See id. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). Pro se pleadings must, however, be liberally construed. See Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988).
To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two essential elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was violated, and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under the color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). B. Plaintiff's Claims
Plaintiff filed a complaint initiating this action which was deficient because it was not signed. Dkt. No. 1. On April 22, 2021, Plaintiff filed a signed complaint that contains all the allegations from the original complaint. Dkt. No. 20. Accordingly, the Court deems this latest filing as the operative complaint in this matter.
Plaintiff filed a complaint on April 13, 2021, which is incomplete because it contains no factual allegations. Dkt. No. 18. --------
Plaintiff is suing Google for publishing an article containing allegedly false facts regarding his criminal charge for home invasion and aggravated kidnapping, and also for posting a picture of him with "sexual assault across the [whole] picture." Dkt. No. 20 at 4. Plaintiff claims Google used this information to "get likes and downloads." Id. Plaintiff also claims Google used his face with a picture of Batman and Robin, incorrectly stating that Plaintiff had told the police, "I'm Batman." Id. Plaintiff claims that the article caused verbal harassment by inmates and officers, resulting in physical and psychological harm. Id. Plaintiff is seeking damages for defamation of character. Id.
Plaintiff fails to state a claim because his allegations fail to satisfy the two essential elements for a section 1983 claim: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or federal law was violated, and (2) the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. at 48. Defamation is a tort that is only actionable under state law, and Google is not a state actor. Even if the allegations were true, Google's actions amount to nothing more than tortious conduct which is actionable under state law, not section 1983. There being no independent basis for federal jurisdiction, Plaintiff must pursue this claim in state court.
Plaintiff's "motion for extension of time to sign and enter objection to Google Headquarters not being held in default" is DENIED as moot by this order. Dkt. No. 19.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the action is DISMISSED for failure to state a claim for relief. Plaintiff must pursue the claims herein in the appropriate state court.
The Clerk shall terminate all pending motions, including Docket No. 19, and close the file.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: 4/29/2021
/s/_________
EDWARD J. DAVILA
United States District Judge