Opinion
Case No. 2:18-cv-00294-MMD-CBC
09-09-2019
GREGORY HARRIS, Plaintiff, v. JAMES DZURENDA, et al., Defendants.
ORDER
I. SUMMARY
Plaintiff Gregory Harris brings this civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 as an individual incarcerated in the custody of the Nevada Department of Corrections ("NDOC") and currently housed at Saguaro Correctional Center ("SCC"), a private prison in Arizona. SCC is operated by a company called CoreCivic. Before the Court are the CoreCivic Defendants' motion to dismiss (ECF No. 36) and the NDOC Defendants' motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 50). The Court has reviewed the responses (ECF Nos. 46, 57) and replies (ECF Nos. 49, 58) thereto. For the following reasons, the Court grants both motions.
Domom Hininger and T. Thomas.
James Dzurenda, T. Carpenter, W. Sandie, and Romero Aranas.
The Magistrate Judge stayed this case after its reassignment until the setting of a status conference. (ECF No. 66.) However, as the Court essentially grants both motions, waiting to issue a decision after the anticipated status conference does not serve the purpose of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 1.
II. BACKGROUND
The Court allowed Plaintiff to proceed with the following claims after screening: (1) an interference with outgoing mail claim against NDOC Defendants Dzurenda, Carpenter, and Sandie; (2) a deliberate indifference to medical needs claim against NDOC /// Defendants Dzurenda and Aranas; and (3) a retaliation claim against all NDOC Defendants and CoreCivic Defendants. (ECF No. 7 at 10.)
Certain claims were allowed to proceed against Byrne and Jo Gentry, but Plaintiff has not served these potential defendants. (See ECF No. 64.) The Court previously gave Plaintiff until May 10, 2019 to serve these defendants. (ECF No. 52 at 2.) Given that these defendants have not been served to date, the Court will dismiss the action against them without prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m).
III. CORECIVIC DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DISMISS (ECF NO. 36)
A. Relevant Background
As noted, Plaintiff currently is incarcerated at SCC located in Arizona. (ECF No. 8 at 1.) Defendant Thomas is the Warden of SCC and resides in Arizona. (ECF No. 36-1 at 2.) CoreCivic owns and operates SCC under a correctional service agreement with the state of Nevada. (Id. at 2-3.) Defendant Hininger is CoreCivic's chief executive officer and resides in Tennessee. (Id. at 5.) The CoreCivic Defendants move to dismiss Plaintiff's retaliation claim against them for lack of personal jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2). (ECF No. 36 at 2-8.)
The Court does not address the CoreCivic Defendants' alternative argument for dismissal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) because the Court lacks personal jurisdiction over these Defendants.
B. Discussion
A two-part analysis governs whether a court retains personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant. "First, the exercise of jurisdiction must satisfy the requirements of the applicable state long-arm statute." Chan v. Soc'y Expeditions, Inc., 39 F.3d 1398, 1404 (9th Cir. 1994). Because "Nevada's long-arm statute, NRS § 14.065, reaches the limits of due process set by the United States Constitution," the Court moves on to the second part of the analysis. See Baker v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court ex rel. Cty. of Clark, 999 P.2d 1020, 1023 (Nev. 2000). "Second, the exercise of jurisdiction must comport with federal due process." Chan, 39 F.3d at 1404-05. "Due process requires that nonresident defendants have certain minimum contacts with the forum state so that the exercise of jurisdiction does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice." Id. (citing Int'l Shoe v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 316 (1945)). Courts analyze this constitutional question with reference to two forms of jurisdiction: general and specific jurisdiction.
Plaintiff does not seem to argue that the Court has general jurisdiction over the CoreCivic Defendants. (See ECF No. 46 at 3 ("[The CoreCivic Defendants] have availed themselves to [sic] the privilege(s) of conducting regular activities in and with the State of Nevada, and . . . have agreed to terms within their contract with the State of Nevada, it's [sic] agent N.D.O.C., Which satisfy the specific Jurisdiction Requirements.").) However, even if Plaintiff intends to argue that the Court has general jurisdiction over the CoreCivic Defendants, he has failed to satisfy the "exacting standard" for general jurisdiction. Mavrix Photo, Inc. v. Brand Techs., Inc., 647 F.3d 1218, 1224 (9th Cir. 2011) (quoting Schwarzenegger v. Fred Martin Motor Co., 374 F.3d 797, 801 (9th Cir. 2004)). "To determine whether a nonresident defendant's contacts are sufficiently substantial, continuous, and systematic, [courts] consider their '[l]ongevity, continuity, volume, economic impact, physical presence, and integration into the state's regulatory or economic markets.'" CollegeSource, Inc. v. AcademyOne, Inc., 653 F.3d 1066, 1074 (9th Cir. 2011) (quoting Tuazon v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 433 F.3d 1163, 1172 (9th Cir. 2006)). Here, Plaintiff asserts that Defendant Hininger "is CEO of Core-Civic, which operates at least one facility in Nevada, and has done so for [several] years." (ECF No. 46 at 3.) Plaintiff also asserts that Defendant Hininger "is in Nevada, at that facility for regular inspections and business." (Id.) The Court is unpersuaded that these contacts are sufficient in terms of length, continuity, volume, and other characteristics to support general jurisdiction over Defendant Hininger, much less Defendant Thomas. Accordingly, the Court will consider whether specific jurisdiction over the CoreCivic Defendants exists.
Specific jurisdiction exists where "[a] nonresident defendant's discrete, isolated contacts with the forum support jurisdiction on a cause of action arising directly out of its forum contacts." CollegeSource, 653 F.3d at 1075. In the Ninth Circuit, courts use a three-prong test to determine whether specific jurisdiction exists over a particular cause of action: "(1) The non-resident defendant must purposefully direct his activities or consummate some transaction with the forum or resident thereof; or perform some act by which he purposefully avails himself of the privilege of conducting activities in the forum, thereby invoking the benefits and protections of its laws; (2) the claim must be one which arises out of or relates to the defendant's forum-related activities; and (3) the exercise of jurisdiction must comport with fair play and substantial justice, i.e., it must be reasonable." Id. at 1076 (quoting Schwarzenegger, 374 F.3d at 802). The first prong, alternatively called purposeful availment or purposeful direction, is often determinative. See Yahoo! Inc. v. La Ligue Contre Le Racisme Et L'Antisemitisme, 433 F.3d 1199, 1206 (9th Cir. 2006) (en banc). In addition, the party asserting jurisdiction bears the burden of demonstrating only the first two prongs. CollegeSource, 653 F.3d at 1076 (citing Sher v. Johnson, 911 F.2d 1357, 1361 (9th Cir. 1990)). If it does so, the burden shifts to the party challenging jurisdiction to set forth a "compelling case" that the exercise of jurisdiction would be unreasonable. Id. (quoting Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 476-78 (1985)).
Plaintiff first argues that the CoreCivic Defendants have subjected themselves to specific jurisdiction based on CoreCivic's contract with the state of Nevada. (ECF No. 46 at 3-5.) The Court rejects this argument because Plaintiff has not adduced evidence that the CoreCivic Defendants personally—as opposed to CoreCivic itself—are parties to the contract.
Plaintiff also argues that Defendant Hininger has subjected himself to specific jurisdiction by visiting CoreCivic's Nevada facility for regular inspections and business. (Id. at 3.) Plaintiff does not support this allegation with any admissible evidence. Moreover, Plaintiff's claims do not arise from Hininger's visits to CoreCivic's Nevada facility. Plaintiff has not alleged that he was ever incarcerated at CoreCivic's Nevada facility. Accordingly, the Court rejects this argument.
Plaintiff also asks the Court for an opportunity to conduct discovery to establish facts supporting specific jurisdiction. (ECF No. 46 at 5.) However, Plaintiff has not /// identified specific facts that he would seek to establish during discovery to demonstrate personal jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Court denies this request.
For these reasons, the Court grants the CoreCivic Defendants' motion to dismiss Plaintiff's retaliation claim against them.
IV. NDOC DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (ECF NO. 50)
A. Legal Standard
"The purpose of summary judgment is to avoid unnecessary trials when there is no dispute as to the facts before the court." Nw. Motorcycle Ass'n v. U.S. Dep't of Agric., 18 F.3d 1468, 1471 (9th Cir. 1994). Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits "show there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 330 (1986). An issue is "genuine" if there is a sufficient evidentiary basis on which a reasonable fact-finder could find for the nonmoving party and a dispute is "material" if it could affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248-49 (1986). Where reasonable minds could differ on the material facts at issue, however, summary judgment is not appropriate. See id. at 250-51. "The amount of evidence necessary to raise a genuine issue of material fact is enough 'to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties' differing versions of the truth at trial.'" Aydin Corp. v. Loral Corp., 718 F.2d 897, 902 (9th Cir. 1983) (quoting First Nat'l Bank v. Cities Serv. Co., 391 U.S. 253, 288-89 (1968)). In evaluating a summary judgment motion, a court views all facts and draws all inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Kaiser Cement Corp. v. Fishbach & Moore, Inc., 793 F.2d 1100, 1103 (9th Cir. 1986).
The moving party bears the burden of showing that there are no genuine issues of material fact. Zoslaw v. MCA Distrib. Corp., 693 F.2d 870, 883 (9th Cir. 1982). Once the moving party satisfies Rule 56's requirements, the burden shifts to the party resisting the motion to "set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256. The nonmoving party "may not rely on denials in the pleadings but must produce specific evidence, through affidavits or admissible discovery material, to show that the dispute exists," Bhan v. NME Hosps., Inc., 929 F.2d 1404, 1409 (9th Cir. 1991), and "must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts." Orr v. Bank of Am., 285 F.3d 764, 783 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986)). "The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of the plaintiff's position will be insufficient." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252.
B. Discussion
The NDOC Defendants move for summary judgment on all claims asserted against them: (1) interference with mail; (2) deliberate indifference to serious medical needs; and (3) retaliation. (ECF No. 50 at 1.)
1. Interference with Mail
The Court allowed Plaintiff's interference with mail claim to proceed based on Plaintiff's allegations that the NDOC Defendants refused to allow a letter with a visitor's form to be sent out of the prison. (ECF No. 7 at 5.) The NDOC Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment because Plaintiff failed to exhaust his claim. (ECF No. 50 at 9.)
The claim also was permitted to proceed against Byrne (ECF No. 7 at 10), but the Court will dismiss Byrne from this action based on Plaintiff's failure to serve Byrne. See supra note 3.
The Court agrees with Defendants that Plaintiff failed to exhaust his administrative remedies. Defendants have introduced evidence—in the form of a grievance history report—that Plaintiff never grieved the alleged interference with mail. (ECF No. 51 at 17-48.) The grievance history report contains no references to the intended recipient (Andrea Canning) or to interference with Plaintiff's mail. (See id.) Plaintiff argues that he filed grievances that went unanswered and attaches those grievances as exhibits to his response brief. (ECF No. 57 at 7-8 (citing ECF No. 57-3 at 4-7).) Defendants counter that the grievances were never submitted to NDOC personnel. (ECF No. 58 at 7.) Defendants contend that the grievances would have contained a log number, grievance coordinator signature, grievance response, and a caseworker signature if they actually had been submitted. (See id.) Plaintiff has not sought to rebut this argument.
The Court finds that Plaintiff has failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact with respect to whether he grieved the alleged interference with his mail. No rational trier of fact, even drawing all inferences in favor of Plaintiff, could conclude that Plaintiff grieved the alleged interference with his mail. Accordingly, the Court dismisses Plaintiff's interference with mail claim based on Plaintiff's failure to exhaust administrative remedies.
2. Deliberate Indifference to Serious Medical Needs
The Court allowed Plaintiff to proceed with a deliberate indifference to serious medical needs claim against NDOC Defendants Dzurenda and Aranas related to torn ligaments and arthritis in his left knee, an umbilical hernia, and hepatitis C. (ECF No. 7 at 10.)
The claim also was permitted to proceed against Gentry (ECF No. 7 at 10), but the Court will dismiss Gentry from this action based on Plaintiff's failure to serve Gentry. See supra note 3.
The Court first considers Plaintiff's claim as it relates to his hernia and hepatitis C. The NDOC Defendants argue that Plaintiff failed to exhaust this claim. (ECF No. 50 at 12.) The Court agrees. Defendants again rely on the grievance history report, which contains no indication that Plaintiff ever filed grievances related to his hernia or hepatitis C. (See ECF No. 51 at 17-48.) Plaintiff again submitted exhibits that purport to be grievances he filed (ECF No. 57-3 at 12-19), but Defendants again contend they were never submitted because they "are missing the Log Number, the Grievance Coordinator Signature, the Grievance Response, [and] the Caseworker Signature" (ECF No. 58 at 10). Plaintiff has not sought leave to address the argument that his purported grievances were fabricated. Plaintiff also relies on a letter from NDOC to a non-party, but this letter does not establish that Plaintiff grieved issues related to his hernia and hepatitis C. (See ECF No. 57-3 at 16.) Plaintiff also submits grievances directed to SCC (id. at 17-19), but these are not relevant to Plaintiff's claims against the NDOC Defendants. ///
The Court finds that Plaintiff has failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact with respect to whether he grieved issues related to his hernia and hepatitis C. No rational trier of fact, even drawing all inferences in favor of Plaintiff, could conclude that Plaintiff grieved issues related to his hernia and hepatitis C. Accordingly, the Court will dismiss Plaintiff's claim for deliberate indifference to medical needs as it relates to his hernia and hepatitis C for failure to exhaust administrative remedies.
The Court next turns to Plaintiff's deliberate indifference claim as it relates to the torn ligaments and arthritis in his left knee. The NDOC Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment because Plaintiff received at least some treatment for his knee conditions. (ECF No. 50 at 13.) Plaintiff concedes in his response that he received a knee brace, a cane, an order for an X-ray, and an MRI. (ECF No. 57 at 16.) Thus, the Court will grant summary judgment in favor of the NDOC Defendants. "[P]rison officials are not deliberately indifferent simply because they selected or prescribed a course of treatment different than the one the inmate requests or prefers." Rowe v. Aranas, No. 3:16-cv-00535-MMD-VPC, 2018 WL 4088019, at *5 (D. Nev. Aug. 27, 2018) (citing Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051, 1058 (9th Cir. 2004)). "Only where the prison official's 'chosen course of treatment was medically unacceptable under the circumstances, and was chosen in conscious disregard of an excessive risk to the prisoner's health,' will the treatment decision be found constitutionally infirm." Id. (quoting Toguchi, 391 F.3d at 1058). "In addition, it is only where those infirm treatment decisions result in harm to the plaintiff—though the harm need not be substantial—that Eighth Amendment liability arises." Id. (citing Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006)). Plaintiff has not alleged or argued that the prison officials' chosen course of treatment was medically unacceptable under the circumstances and chosen in conscious disregard or excessive risk to his health.
Accordingly, the Court will grant summary judgment in favor of NDOC Defendants Dzurenda and Aranas on Plaintiff's claim for deliberate indifference to medical needs as it relates to his knee.
3. Retaliation
The Court allowed Plaintiff to proceed with a retaliation claim based on his allegations that NDOC Defendants retaliated against him for associating with the press by transferring him from Lovelock Correction Center ("LCC") to Southern Desert Correctional Center ("SDCC") and by refusing him medical treatment. (ECF No. 7 at 8.)
The Court first considers Plaintiff's retaliation claim as it relates to his transfer. The NDOC Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment because Plaintiff cannot show that he was transferred "because of" his grievances. (ECF No. 58 at 12 (citing Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567-68 (9th Cir. 2004).) The NDOC Defendants cite to a letter Plaintiff filed as an exhibit to his response brief. In that letter, an individual from the offender management division states that Plaintiff was "transferred for "departmental needs" rather than "for disciplinary or punitive reasons." (ECF No. 57-3 at 34.) Plaintiff has not introduced any evidence to rebut this.
The Court thus finds that Plaintiff has failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact with respect to whether he was transferred as a retaliatory measure. No rational trier of fact, even drawing all inferences in Plaintiff's favor, could conclude that Plaintiff was transferred in retaliation for filing grievances. Indeed, Plaintiff's grievance history report shows that Plaintiff filed numerous grievances for many years before he was transferred to SDCC. (See ECF No. 51 at 17-48 (listing grievances dating from as early as 2005).) Accordingly, the Court will grant summary judgment in favor of the NDOC Defendants on Plaintiff's retaliation claim as it relates to his transfer.
The Court next considers Plaintiff's retaliation claim as it relates to a denial of medical treatment. Defendants have introduced evidence that Plaintiff received medical treatment following his transfer to SDCC. (See ECF No. 51 at 18 (grievance response indicating that Plaintiff received Naprosyn and Neurontin while housed at SDCC).) Plaintiff has not adduced evidence that would raise a genuine issue of material fact as to whether he received at least some medical treatment, nor has he adduced evidence that such /// treatment was medically unacceptable or chosen in conscious disregard of an excessive risk to his health.
Accordingly, the Court will grant summary judgment in favor of the NDOC Defendants on Plaintiff's retaliation claim as it relates to a denial of medical treatment.
V. CONCLUSION
The Court notes that the parties made several arguments and cited to several cases not discussed above. The Court has reviewed these arguments and cases and determines that they do not warrant discussion as they do not affect the outcome of the motions before the Court.
It is therefore ordered that the CoreCivic Defendants' motion to dismiss (ECF No. 36) is granted. This action is dismissed without prejudice against Defendants Hininger and Thomas for lack of personal jurisdiction.
It is further ordered that the NDOC Defendants' motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 50) is granted as to all claims except for the following two claims which are dismissed for failure to exhaust administrative remedies: claim for interference with mail; and claim for deliberate indifference to medical needs as it relates to Plaintiff's hernia and hepatitis C. The Court thus grants summary judgment in favor of the NDOC Defendants as to Plaintiff's other claims.
It is further ordered that this action is dismissed without prejudice against Byrne and Jo Gentry for failure to effect service under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m).
It is further ordered that the Clerk of the Court enter judgment accordingly and close this case.
DATED THIS 9th day of September 2019.
/s/_________
MIRANDA M. DU
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE