Opinion
1:23-cv-00338-ADA-SAB (PC)
08-17-2023
MANUEL LUIS CRUZ, Plaintiff, v. CONNIE GIPSON, et al., Defendants.
ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS DISMISSING ACTION FOR FAILURE TO STATE A COGNIZABLE CLAIM
(ECF NO. 7)
Plaintiff Manuel Luis Cruz is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The matter was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302.
On March 15, 2023, the Magistrate Judge issued findings and recommendations, recommending that the Court dismiss this case due to Plaintiff's failure to state a cognizable claim. (ECF No. 7.) Plaintiff filed timely objections on April 7, 2023. (ECF No. 8.) In his objections, Plaintiff argues that the Court should permit him an opportunity to amend his complaint in order to allege claims under Monell v. Dep't of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658 (1978). (ECF No. 8 at 1-2.) Plaintiff fails, however, to demonstrate how such an amendment would not be futile. To make out the first element of a Monell claim, a plaintiff must allege “that he possessed a constitutional right of which he was deprived.” Oviatt v. Pearce, 954 F.2d 1470, 1474 (9th Cir. 1992). As the Magistrate Judge found, Plaintiff has failed to allege the deprivation of a constitutional right in his complaint. The objections do not provide any additional information to convince the Court that Plaintiff would be able to allege such a deprivation in an amended complaint.
Plaintiff filed follow-up objections on June 5, 2023 and August 3, 2023. (ECF Nos. 10, 11.) The substance of those objections is nearly identical to Plaintiff's March 15, 2023 objections. It appears that Plaintiff's main reason for filing the follow-up objections was his concern that the Court had not received his March 15, 2023 objections.
In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B), the Court has conducted a de novo review of this case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file, including Plaintiff's objections, the Court finds the findings and recommendations to be supported by the record and proper analysis.
Accordingly, 1. The findings and recommendations issued on March 15, 2023, (ECF No. 7), are adopted in full;
2. This action is dismissed, with prejudice, due to Plaintiff's failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; and
3. The Clerk of Court is directed to close this case.
IT IS SO ORDERED.