MARK LANE, Magistrate Judge.
The Magistrate Judge submits this Report and Recommendation to the District Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(b) and Rule 1(f) of Appendix C of the Local Court Rules of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.
Before the Court are Plaintiff's complaint (Docket Entry "DE" 2-2); Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (DE 11); Plaintiff's Proposed Settlement and Supplement to his Motion for Summary Judgment (DE 12); Defendants' Response to Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (DE 13); Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (DE 14); and Plaintiff's request for preliminary injunction (DE 23). Plaintiff filed his original complaint in state court, and the defendants removed the action to this Court.
At the time he filed his complaint, Plaintiff was confined in the Clements Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice — Correctional Institutions Division. Plaintiff challenges the 2015 revocation of his parole.
Plaintiff alleges he was released to parole on November 15, 2012. At that time, Plaintiff had served 23 years on a 50-year sentence for attempted murder in Harris County, Texas. Plaintiff asserts he was released to the Super Intensive Supervision Program ("SISP"), which subjected him to restrictive conditions and GPS monitoring. He further alleges his parole certificate required that he register as a sex offender. Plaintiff's parole revocation proceedings are included in the state court records filed in his federal habeas corpus proceedings.
During his release on parole, Plaintiff admits he was sent to an Intermediate Sanctions Facility ("ISF") on multiple occasions for violating the conditions of his parole. After his third stay at an ISF, Plaintiff was released on February 20, 2015. On March 7, 2015, his parole officer, Jessica Kuhre, imposed a two-week home lockdown, because Plaintiff left his GPS monitor on the bus in which he had traveled. On March 9, 2015, Plaintiff indicates he sent a text message to Kuhre, expressing resentment for the lockdown sanction. The text message stated, "At this time, it feels good to say, you can give me a real good fucken, then get your hell out my life." A revocation warrant for Plaintiff was issued the following day, and Plaintiff was transferred to Parole Officer Amy Kiel's caseload. Plaintiff was initially charged with sexual harassment, but the charge was later amended to harassment. Plaintiff was found guilty by Parole Hearing Officer Joel Butler. Plaintiff indicates he was revoked and returned to TDCJ on April 28, 2015.
Plaintiff seeks his immediate release in addition to damages. Plaintiff sues Stuart Jenkins, Sandra Mims, Jessica Kuhre, Amy Kiel, and Joel Butler. To the extent Plaintiff sues Stuart Jenkins in his official capacity, Pamela Thielke, the acting Director of the Parole Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has been substituted.
Plaintiff contends Defendants violated his First Amendment right to protected speech (his text message) and retaliated against him because of his speech. Plaintiff further contends the defendants violated his right to due process.
Defendants move for a judgment on the pleadings. They contend habeas corpus relief is not an available remedy in a civil rights case. They further contend Plaintiff's claims for monetary damages are barred by
A court may hear a party's motion for judgment on the pleadings after the pleadings are closed. FED. R. CIV. P. 12(c). The standard for deciding a Rule 12(c) motion is the same as that for a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim.
Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), a court may dismiss a complaint for "failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." When considering a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a court must "accept the complaint's well-pleaded facts as true and view them in the light most favorable to the plaintiff."
Although not mentioned by defendants, Plaintiff's claims against them in their official capacities for monetary damages are barred by Eleventh Amendment immunity.
To the extent Plaintiff challenges the revocation of his parole and sues the defendants in their individual capacities for monetary damages Plaintiff's claims are barred by
In this case Plaintiff does not allege that his conviction or revocation of parole has been reversed, expunged, invalidated, or called into question by a federal court's issuance of writ of habeas corpus. Rather, Plaintiff's petition for habeas corpus relief, based on the same facts he presents in his civil rights complaint, was dismissed with prejudice on September 30, 2016.
To the extent Plaintiff seeks his release, he must seek such relief in an application for habeas corpus. The exclusive remedy for a prisoner who challenges the fact or duration of his confinement and seeks immediate or speedier release is habeas corpus relief.
It is therefore recommended that Defendants' Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (DE 14) be GRANTED, Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (DE 11) be DENIED, and Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction (DE 23) be DISMISSED. Plaintiff's claims for monetary damages brought against the defendants in their official capacities should be dismissed without prejudice for want of jurisdiction, Plaintiff's claims for monetary damages brought against the defendants in their individual capacities should be dismissed with prejudice until the conditions of
In the event this Report and Recommendation is accepted, adopted or approved, it is recommended that the Court direct the Clerk to e-mail a copy of its order and judgment to the keeper of the three-strikes list.
Within 14 days after receipt of the magistrate judge's report, any party may serve and file written objections to the findings and recommendations of the magistrate judge. 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(C). Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings and recommendations contained within this report within 14 days after service shall bar an aggrieved party from de novo review by the district court of the proposed findings and recommendations and from appellate review of factual findings accepted or adopted by the district court except on grounds of plain error or manifest injustice.