Tate et al v. McCoy et al

MINUTES
CASE NUMBER: 	1:24-cv-00465-DKW-RT
CASE NAME: 	Jimmy Tate, et al. v. Calvin McCoy, Jr., et al.
ATTYS FOR PLTS: 	Jimmy Tate (Pro Se)
Jaleceya Tate (Pro Se)
ATTY FOR DEFTS: 	Kerry S. Culpepper
JUDGE: 	Rom Trader 	REPORTER: 	ZOOM
DATE: 	4/1/2026 	TIME: 	10:30 a.m. – 10:41 a.m.
COURT ACTION: EP: 	RULE 16 SCHEDULING CONFERENCE NOT
had on 4/1/2026.
Pro se Plaintiffs Jimmy Tate and Jaleceya Tate (“Plaintiffs”) failed to call to attend
today’s conference.
Court excuses previously dismissed Defendants Calvin McCoy, Jr., Henry Davies,
Kimberly Davies and Flossie McCoy-Perry (“Dismissed Defendants”) from today’s
conference. ECF No. 59.
The docket fails to reflect service of the [ECF [25]] First Amended Complaint (“FAC”)
on the eleven (11) Remaining Defendants, except possibly Defendant Travis Jennings.
See ECF No. 37 (Defendant Jennings purportedly served 7/5/2025).
Other than the Dismissed Defendants, none of the Remaining Defendants have appeared,
answered or filed a responsive motion.
The Court elects to proceed.
Given the foregoing, the Court FINDS AND RECOMMENDS that this matter be
DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE based upon at least the following reasons:
1. 	As for the Dismissed Defendants:
a. 	Pursuant to [ECF [59]] Order Granting Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and
Denying Plaintiffs' Motion to File Late Opposition ("Order"), filed on
10/2/2025, Plaintiffs were permitted until 11/3/2025 to file an amended
complaint. ECF No. 59 at PageID.572-573. The Order specifically
cautioned "Plaintiffs that failure to file a timely amended complaint will
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result in the dismissal of the [Dismissed] Defendants from this action
without further notice." Id. at PageID.573-574.
b. 	Court finds that Plaintiffs failed to file an amended complaint concerning
the Dismissed Defendants.
c. 	Court recommends the district judge dismiss Dismissed Defendants from
this action.
2. 	As for the Remaining Defendants:
a. 	Plaintiffs failed to appear for court proceedings scheduled for 5/7/2025
and today (4/1/2026). Plaintiffs provide no good cause to excuse their non-
appearance.
b. 	Despite sixteen (16) months since Plaintiffs filed the [ECF [1]] Complaint
on 10/28/2024 and ten (10) months since filing the [ECF [25]] FAC on
5/21/2025, Plaintiffs failed to timely and properly serve the Remaining
Defendants as required by Rule 4, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
(“FRCP”). Pursuant to FRCP 4(m), service must occur within 90 days after
the Complaint is filed. To date, Plaintiffs have failed do so and the
Remaining Defendants have not been served.
c. 	While Plaintiffs purportedly served Defendant Travis Jennings with the
FAC on 7/5/2025 in Snellville, Georgia, during the nine (9) months since
then, they have taken no action concerning this Defendant. ECF No. 37.
d. 	During the pendency of this case, Plaintiff Jimmy Tate failed to notify the
Court of a change of address until 5/21/2025 and only after
correspondence sent to his address of record had been returned as
"undeliverable" on several occasions in violation of LR83.1(e). ECF Nos.
15, 16, 18, 20 & 22.
e. 	The Court finds Plaintiffs have failed to be diligent in prosecuting this
action.
f. 	As a result of Plaintiff’s failure to appear and/or lack of diligence, this
Court has been required to reschedule several Court proceedings. ECF
Nos. 17, 19, 21, 27 & 63.
g. 	During the last six (6) months, since 9/26/2025, Plaintiffs have filed no
documents in this case and have taken no action concerning this case.
See ECF No. 58.
h. 	During the pendency of this case, Plaintiff have failed to follow court
rules applicable to all parties.
The Court has the “inherent power” to dismiss a case pursuant to FRCP 41(b), where a
plaintiff has failed to prosecute or comply with a court order. Link v. Wabash R.R. Co.,
370 U.S. 626, 629-31 (1962); Hells Canyon Pres. Council v. U.S. Forest Service, 403
F.3d 683, 689 (9th Cir. 2005) (explaining that a district court may involuntarily dismiss a
case sua sponte pursuant to FRCP 41(b)). Courts traditionally have been afforded wide
discretion in determining whether to dismiss a case or claims pursuant to FRCP 41(b).
Anderson v. Air W., Inc., 542 F.2d 522, 524 (9th Cir. 1976).
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In evaluating whether to dismiss an action for failure to prosecute or failure to comply
with a Court order pursuant to FRCP 41(b), the Court must weigh five factors:
(1) the public’s interest in expeditious resolution of litigation;
(2) the court’s need to manage its docket;
(3) the risk of prejudice to defendants;
(4) the public policy favoring disposition of cases on their merits; and
(5) the availability of less drastic sanctions.
Ash v. Cvetkov, 739 F.2d 493, 496 (9th Cir. 1984).
As to the first factor, because of Plaintiffs’ numerous failures to diligently prosecute this
action and comply with basic court rules, the public’s interest in resolving this case in an
expeditious and cost-effective manner has been negatively impacted. After having
initiated this action sixteen (16) months ago, and filing the FAC ten (10) months ago,
Plaintiffs still have not served the FAC on the Remaining Defendants. Without service,
the case is effectively “dead in the water.” Thus, this factor weighs in favor of dismissal.
As to the second factor, because of Plaintiffs’ failure to appear for at least two (2) court
proceedings, failure to serve the FAC and failure to update Plaintiff Jimmy Tate’s mailing
address, this has interfered with the Court’s ability to manage its calendar and control the
docket. Having to schedule and then unnecessarily reschedule proceedings because
Plaintiffs have not met their basic litigation obligations places an unreasonable
administrative burden on the Court. It is “incumbent” upon courts to manage their
dockets “without being subject to routine noncompliance” by litigants. Pagtalunan v.
Galaza, 291 F.3d at 639, 642. Dismissal of the Complaint pursuant to FRCP 41(b) is
necessary in order for the Court to manage its docket. Hunter v. Sandoval, No. 2:17-CV-
09257 CJC-SHK, 2018 WL 6570870, *2 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 12, 2018). This factor favors
dismissal.
As to the third factor, by failing to serve the Remaining Defendants, Plaintiffs have
effectively denied these defendants prompt notice of Plaintiffs’ claims and a reasonable
opportunity to be heard. Here, sixteen (16) months have elapsed since this action was
commenced, yet the vast majority of defendants being sued by Plaintiffs are likely
unaware of this action, much less have had an opportunity to defend against Plaintiffs’
claims. Delay in serving a complaint is a particularly serious failure to prosecute under
Rule 41(b) because it affects defendants’ ability to prepare their defenses. Anderson v.
Air West, Inc., 542 F.2d 522, 525 (9th Cir. 1976). “Unreasonable delay is the foundation
upon which a court may presume prejudice.” Sw. Marine Inc. v. Danzig, 217 F.3d 1128,
1138 (9th Cir. 2000). Here, there is a significant risk of prejudice to the Remaining
Defendants, which thus supports dismissal.
As to the fourth factor, the Court recognizes the strong public interest in having cases
resolved on the merits. This factor necessarily cuts against dismissal.
Finally, as to the fifth factor, given the clear pattern of Plaintiffs’ failure to comply with
court rules, court orders and basic litigation obligations -- such as timely serving
defendants, appearing for court proceedings as required, maintaining a correct mailing
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address and otherwise diligently prosecuting their claims -- the Court finds that no other
less drastic alternatives to dismissal would be effective. Since Plaintiffs have taken
absolutely no action on this case for at least the last six (6) months, the Court finds that
they have apparently lost interest and have abandoned their claims. Given this, this factor
weighs heavily in favor of dismissal.
Based upon the foregoing, this Court FINDS AND RECOMMENDS that the district
court DISMISS this entire action without prejudice.
No further conferences will be scheduled pending the district judge’s review of the
instant Findings and Recommendations.
Submitted by: Renee L.F. Honda, Courtroom Manager
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