Titus v. Phaypanya

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION

MICHAEL TITUS PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 5:23-cv-05085-TLB-CDC

PAROLE OFFICER YOSIDA PHAYPANYA,

Arkansas Community Correction at Phoenix

House Recovery Renewal DEFENDANTS

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

This is a civil rights action brought by Plaintiff, Michael Titus (“Titus”), pursuant to the

provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Titus proceeds pro se and in forma pauperis (“IFP”). The events

that are the subject of this action occurred while Titus was residing at Phoenix House, a residential

recovery center for men, located in Springdale, Arkansas. Titus has sued the Parole Officer

Phaypanya (“Officer Phaypanya”) in both his individual and official capacities.

Pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b)(1) and (3), the Honorable Timothy L.

Brooks, United States District Judge, referred this case to the undersigned for the purpose of

making a Report and Recommendation. The case is before the Court for preservice screening of

the Complaint (ECF No. 1) under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). Pursuant to § 1915(e)(2)(B), the Court

has the obligation to screen any complaint in which a person proceeding IFP seeks redress from a

governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity.

I. BACKGROUND

According to the allegations of the Complaint (ECF No. 1), with respect to Claim One,

while Titus was living at Phoenix House “other residents were telling [Officer Phaypanya] about

getting [Titus] out of there.” Id. at 4. On May 1, 2023, Titus says he was not drug tested properly

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before “he” took “40 points” from him.1 Id. Titus reports that when he arrived at Phoenix House

there was “one drug test” and then when he obtained insurance his “mouth swab was suppose[d]

to be sent to the lab.” Id. at 5. Titus states that the residents who were conspiring against him

told an unidentified man that Titus had “dope” on him. Id. at 5. ”Titus feels he was discriminated

against because he was from a good home. Id. at 4.

Titus maintains there is camera evidence that he was conspired against. (ECF No. 1 at 4).

He indicates “it was said clear as day on camera, what they wanted to be done with” him. Id.

Titus reports that Officer Phaypanya failed to tell the residents that he would not conspire against

another resident. Id. at 5. Based on this, Titus feels “there was racial discrimination on another

resident.” Id.

With respect to his official capacity claim, Titus cites the Freedom of Information Act and

says he needs the evidence from the cameras at the Phoenix House. (ECF No. 1 at 6). Titus asks

for camera footage from April 24, 2023. Id.

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Under § 1915(e)(2), the Court is obligated to screen the case prior to service of process

being issued. The Court must dismiss a complaint, or any portion of it, if it contains claims that:

(1) are frivolous, malicious, or fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or (2) seeks

monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).

A claim is frivolous if “it lacks an arguable basis either in law or fact.” Neitzke v.

Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989). An action is malicious when the allegations are known to be

1 It is not clear if this pronoun refers to Officer Phaypanya or the unidentified man also referred to

as the “big dude” in the Phoenix House. (ECF No. 1 at 4). Plaintiff only listed one Defendant,

Officer Phaypanya, in the area where he is asked to identify each Defendant. Id. at 2.

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false, or it is undertaken for the purpose of harassing or disparaging the named defendants rather

than to vindicate a cognizable right. In re Tyler, 839 F.2d 1290, 1293-94 (8th Cir. 1988); Spencer

v. Rhodes, 656 F. Supp. 458, 464 (E.D.N.C. 1987). A claim fails to state a claim upon which

relief may be granted if it does not allege “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible

on its face.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007).

“In evaluating whether a pro se plaintiff has asserted sufficient facts to state a claim, we

hold ‘a pro se complaint, however inartfully pleaded ... to less stringent standards than formal

pleadings drafted by lawyers.’” Jackson v. Nixon, 747 F.3d 537, 541 (8th Cir. 2014) (quoting

Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007)). This means “that if the essence of an allegation is

discernable, even though it is not pleaded with legal nicety, then the district court should construe

the complaint in a way that permits the layperson’s claim to be considered within the proper legal

framework.” Jackson, 747 F.3d at 544 (cleaned up). However, the complaint must still allege

specific facts sufficient to support a claim. Martin v. Sargent, 780 F.2d 1334, 1337 (8th Cir.

1985).

III. DISCUSSION

A. Official Capacity Claim

Titus’ official capacity claim against Officer Phaypanya is subject to dismissal. Officer

Phaypanya is employed by the Arkansas Division of Community Correction (formerly Arkansas

Community Correction). The Arkansas Division of Community Correction is a state agency.

The Eleventh Amendment provides that “[t]he Judicial power of the United States shall not

be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against any one of

the United States.” U.S. Const. amend XI. “The Eleventh Amendment confirms the sovereign

status of the States by shielding them from suits by individuals absent their consent.” Frew ex re.

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Frew v. Hawkins, 540 U.S. 431, 437 (2004). “[A] suit against a state official in his or her official

capacity is not a suit against the official but rather is a suit against the official’s office. As such,

it is no different from a suit against the state itself.” Will v. Michigan Dep’t. of State Police, 491

U.S. 58, 71 (1989)(citation omitted). “Eleventh Amendment jurisprudence is well-settled: ‘a

suit by private parties seeking to impose a liability which must be paid from public funds in the

state treasury is barred by the Eleventh Amendment.’” Burk v. Beene, 948 F.2d 489, 492 (8th Cir.

1991)(quoting Edelman v. Jordan, 415 U.S. 651, 663 (1974)).

This bar exists whether the relief sought is legal or equitable. Papasan v. Allain, 478 U.S.

265, 276 (1986). Furthermore, “neither a State nor its officials acting in their official capacity

are ‘persons’ under § 1983.” Will, 491 U.S. at 71.

Exceptions to the reach of the Eleventh Amendment exist only when the state has

unequivocally waived its immunity or Congress has abrogated the immunity. Hutto v. Finney,

437 U.S. 678, 693 (1978). The State of Arkansas has not waived its sovereign immunity. See

e.g., Hadley v. North Ark. Cmty. Tech. Coll., 76 F.3d 1437, 1438 (8th Cir. 1996). Nor did

Congress abrogate sovereign immunity when enacting § 1983. Quern v. Jordan, 440 U.S. 332,

345 (1979). The official capacity claim against Officer Phaypanya is therefore barred by the

Eleventh Amendment.

B. Individual Capacity Claims

Liberally reading the Complaint, Titus appears to be asserting both a conspiracy claim and

a discrimination claim against Officer Phaypanya.

1. Conspiracy Claim

To state a conspiracy claim under § 1983, Titus must allege: (1) that Officer Phaypanya

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“conspired with others to deprive him of constitutional rights; (2) that at least one of the alleged

co-conspirators engaged in an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy; and (3) that the overt act

injured [him].” White v. McKinley, 519 F.3d 806, 814 (8th Cir. 2008)(citing Askew v. Millerd,

191 F.3d 953, 957 (8th Cir. 1999)). To prevail on a § 1983 conspiracy claim, Titus is “additionally

required to prove a deprivation of a constitutional right or privilege.” Id. “[T]he plaintiff need

not show that each participant knew ‘the exact limits of the illegal plan . . . .’ but the plaintiff must

show evidence sufficient to support the conclusion that the defendants reached an agreement to

deprive the plaintiff of constitutionally guaranteed rights.” Burton v. St. Louis Bd. of Police

Com’rs., 731 F.3d 784, 798-99 (8th Cir 2013)(quoting Larson v. Miller, 76 F.3d 1446, 1458 (8th

Cir. 1996)).

Titus’ allegations fall short. Titus first alleges that Officer Phaypanya was told by other

residents that they wanted Titus out of Phoenix House. (ECF No. 1 at 4). Second, Titus alleges

Officer Phaypanya “omitted” to tell the residents he would not conspire against another resident.

Id. at 5. Third, Titus alleges he was not properly drug tested before “he” took 40 points from

Titus. Id. at 4. As previously noted, it is not clear whether the person who took 40 points away

from Titus was the unidentified male or Officer Phaypanya. Titus, however, fails to allege how

the deducted points affected his residency at Phoenix House. Clearly, the allegations are

insufficient to allege the existence of an agreement between Officer Phaypanya and others to

deprive Titus of his constitutional rights.

2. Discrimination Claim

Titus alleges he feels like he was discriminated against “as a person from a good house.”

(ECF No. 1 at 4). This is the only allegation in which Titus directly asserts he was discriminated

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against. Id. Titus does make the following allegation: “[Officer Phaypanya] with omission

from the resident[]s on camera didn’t tell the resident[]s he could not conspire against another

resident. So I feel like there was racial discrimination of another resident.” Id. at 5.

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides that no State shall

“deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”  U.S. Const. Amend

XIV, § 1.  The purpose of the Equal Protection Clause “is to secure every person within the State’s

jurisdiction against intentional and arbitrary discrimination.”  Engquist v. Or. Dep’t of Agric., 553

U.S. 591, 611 (2008) (quoting Village of Willowbrook v. Olech, 528 U.S. 562, 564 (2000) (per

curiam)).  Proof that discriminatory intent was a motivating factor is required to show a violation

of the Equal Protection Clause.  Arlington Heights v. Metro Hous. Dev. Corp., 429 U.S. 252, 265-

66 (1977).

An equal protection claim may be established in two ways.  The first requires a plaintiff to

“show that the defendants acted with an intent or purpose to discriminate against the plaintiff based

upon membership in a protected class.”  Washington v. Davis, 426 U.S. 229, 239-40 (1976).  The

only direct allegation of discrimination is that Titus felt he was discriminated against because he

came from a good home. Clearly, this does type of discrimination, assuming it occurred, does not

impact a protected class. Titus’ next allegation is that he “feels like” Officer Phaypanya’s failure

to tell the residents that he could not conspire against another resident exhibited “racial

discrimination on another resident.” The Complaint contains no allegation that Titus himself

belongs to a protected class. Thus, no plausible claim is stated based on Titus’ membership in a

protected class.

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If the claims do not involve a protected class, Titus can establish an equal protection “class

of one” claim by alleging that he “has been intentionally treated differently from others similarly

situated and that there is no rational basis for the difference in treatment.”  Olech, 528 U.S. at

564; see also Flowers v. City of Minneapolis, 558 F.3d 794, 798 (8th Cir. 2009).  To prevail under

this theory, Titus must have alleged that (1) he is a member of an identifiable class; (2) he was

intentionally treated differently from others similarly situated; and (3) there is no rational basis for

the difference in treatment.  Olech, 528 U.S. at 564. Because Plaintiff does not allege he was a

member of any identifiable class, nor even if he were in an identifiable class, that he was treated

differently from others similarly situated, the Complaint fails to state an equal protection claim

under the class of one theory.

IV. CONCLUSION

For these reasons, it is recommended that:

(1) the case be dismissed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) for failure to state a claim

upon which relief may be granted;

(2) the Court certify pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from this

dismissal would not be taken in good faith.

The parties have fourteen (14) days from receipt of the Report and Recommendation

in which to file written objections pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The failure to file

timely objections may result in waiver of the right to appeal questions of fact. The parties

are reminded that objections must be both timely and specific to trigger de novo review by

the district court.

DATED this 5th day of July 2023.

s/ Christy Comstock

CHRISTY COMSTOCK

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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