Gatlyn, Peter v. John Doe

SUONUITTEHDE RSTNA DTIESTS RDIICSTTR OIFC TF LCOORUIRDTA

CASE NO. 24-CV-22444-RAR

PETER A. GATLYN,

Plaintiff,

v.

SENIOR CHAPLAIN JOHN DOE,

Defendant.

______________________________________/

ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART

DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO QUASH SERVICE OR DISMISS

THIS CAUSE comes before the Court on Defendant, Senior Chaplain John Doe’s Motion

to Quash Service or, in the Alternative, to Dismiss (“Motion”), [ECF No. 23]. Plaintiff, Peter A.

Gatlyn, filed a Response to Defendant John Doe’s Motion (“Response”), [ECF No. 27], and

Defendant filed a Reply to Plaintiff’s Response (“Reply”), [ECF No. 28]. After careful review of

the Complaint, the parties’ arguments, and applicable law, the Motion is GRANTED in part and

DENIED in part. Plaintiff’s official capacity claims and requests for injunctive and declaratory

relief are DISMISSED without prejudice. As for Plaintiff’s individual capacity claims, the Court

finds good cause to EXTEND the time for Plaintiff to serve Defendant’s personal representative

with the summons and an amended complaint.

BACKGROUND

A. The Complaint’s Allegations

Plaintiff is a practicing Orthodox Jew who eats kosher meals and follows the Torah’s

halachic guidelines. See Complaint, [ECF No. 1], ¶ 29. While serving a state-court sentence,

Plaintiff was transferred to the South Florida Reception Center (“SFRC”) of the Florida

Department of Corrections (“FDOC”). Id. ¶ 12. Between October 4, 2023, and December 15,

2023, Plaintiff requested participation in FDOC’s “Religious Dietary Program,” but never heard

back until December 27, 2023, when he met Defendant, Senior Chaplain John Doe. Id. ¶ 13–14.

After Defendant had Plaintiff complete an application to enter the program, Defendant

allegedly “disapproved [Plaintiff] for the . . . diet without any explanation as to why he’d made

this decision.” Id. ¶ 15. Plaintiff filed and appealed grievances with little luck, eventually learning

from an FDOC employee that Plaintiff’s application was denied because it “revealed that [Plaintiff

was] unable to describe the diet that is part of [his] religious observation, such as permitted or

restricted foods and preparation methods.” Response to Grievance, [ECF No. 1-1] at 11.

On June 18, 2024, Plaintiff brought this civil-rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against

Defendant in both his individual and official capacities. Plaintiff claims that Defendant unlawfully

denied him a kosher diet “in accordance with his sincerely held beliefs,” which deprived Plaintiff

of “the right to freely exercise his religious beliefs.” Id. ¶ 33. Plaintiff’s allegations, which

survived screening under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, were brought under federal and Florida

constitutional law, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”), and

Florida’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (“FRFRA”). Id. On June 28, 2024, the Court

allowed only these claims to proceed to service. See Order, [ECF No. 5]. As for relief, Plaintiff

seeks (1) a declaration that Defendant’s conduct was unlawful, (2) compensatory and punitive

damages, and (3) an injunction ordering Plaintiff’s addition to the Religious Dietary Program. See

Compl. at 8.

Since filing the Complaint, Plaintiff has left SFRC. See Notices of Change of Address,

[ECF Nos. 4, 17]. The Court’s case management database reflects that Plaintiff’s present address

is Dade Correctional Institution, located at 19000 SW 377th Street, Florida City, Florida 33034.

B. Service of Process

On June 28, 2024, the Court ordered the United States Marshal’s Service to perform

personal service on Senior Chaplain John Doe at the South Florida Reception Center, located at

14000 NW 41st Street, Doral, Florida, 33178. See generally Order Directing Service, [ECF No.

9]. When a deputy attempted service on July 9, 2024, Defendant refused to accept service on the

ground that the named Defendant, labeled as “John Doe,” was not properly identified. See

Affidavit of Unexecuted Service, [ECF No. 11] at 1.

On July 16, 2024, the Court once again ordered the U.S. Marshal’s Service to serve Senior

Chaplain John Doe at the same address, noting that Plaintiff had “sufficiently identified the

Defendant for service.” Order Redirecting Service, [ECF No. 12] at 1 (cleaned up). On July 24,

2024, a deputy served “[H]ead Chaplain Oscar Torrens,” who accepted a copy of the Complaint

and the summons. Affidavit of Service, [ECF No. 15] at 1.

C. Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction

On July 30, 2024, Plaintiff moved for a preliminary injunction “ordering the Defendant

and/or the Florida Department of Corrections to place the Plaintiff’s name on the Religious Dietary

Program . . . list and provide Plaintiff with the [Religious Dietary Program] diet for breakfast,

lunch and dinner while this case is pending.” Motion for Preliminary Injunction, [ECF No. 16] at

1. That motion sought virtually the same relief requested in the Complaint; thus, on August 9,

2024, Defendant moved to “stay the proceedings as to Plaintiff’s Motion[] for Preliminary

Injunction pending resolution of his soon-to-be-filed motion to dismiss.” Motion to Stay

Proceedings, [ECF No. 18] at 2. Defendant also requested an extension of time to respond to

Plaintiff’s Complaint, see Expedited Motion, [ECF No. 19]. The Court granted both of

Defendant’s motions. See Paperless Order, [ECF No. 20].

D. Death of Chaplain Bruce Klaiber

On August 20, 2024, Defendant filed a Suggestion of Death, notifying the Court of the

death of Chaplain Bruce Klaiber—the Senior Chaplain at the SFRC who denied Plaintiff’s request

to be placed on the Religious Dietary Program diet. See Suggestion of Death, [ECF No. 22] at 1

n.1. “[O]n information and belief,” Defendant stated, “Chaplain Bruce Klaiber passed away on

February 12, 2024[.]” Id. at 1.

E. Motion to Dismiss Arguments

Defendant filed a Motion to Quash Service or Dismiss on August 22, 2024. See Motion,

[ECF No. 23]. In relevant part, Defendant argues that the Senior Chaplain John Doe became

incompetent upon Chaplain Klaiber’s death in February 2024 and could not be properly served

with process. See Motion at 4. Defendant also maintains that substituted service on Chaplain

Oscar Torrens was insufficient,1 and substitution of parties is inappropriate because the action was

instituted against a deceased person and is, thus, a nullity. See id. Further, Defendant raises a

sovereign immunity defense under Florida law, see id. at 7, and he argues the injunctive and

declaratory relief sought was moot upon Plaintiff’s transfer from the SFDC.2 See id. at 8.

Plaintiff responded on September 23, 2024. See Resp., [ECF No. 27]. Plaintiff avers that

Chaplain Torrens is the “Head Chaplin [sic], and having authority over the Senior Chaplin [sic],

he was well within his powers as the boss . . . to accept service,” id. at 8; therefore, he says, Torrens’

voluntary “acceptance of substitute[d] service is binding.” Id. Plaintiff also acknowledges the

death of Chaplain Bruce Klaiber. See id. He stresses, however, that “he should not be barred from

recovering . . . damages, as [Defendant’s] estate, if there is an estate, is still liable for his action

and/or the Defendant’s successor or personal representative of his estate.” Id. at 9. Plaintiff says

he has not filed a motion for substitution of parties under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25

1 Defendant says that “[t]he deputy who effected service failed to note that Chaplain Torrens was accepting

on behalf of the Defendant, who passed away on February 12, 2024.” Mot. at 3. But Defendant did not

raise this issue as a to-be-expected ground for dismissal in his Expedited Motion to Stay Proceedings. See

generally Expedited Motion, [ECF No. 18].

2 Because the Court finds sufficient grounds on which to rule, it will not address Defendant’s arguments

of exhaustion and qualified immunity. See Mot. at 6, 8.

because “defense counsel has not . . . disclose[d] who the decedent’s representative or successor

is[.]” Id. at 10. Plaintiff admits that his “request for a preliminary injunction is now moot,” but

“only because he is finally receiving the [Religious Dietary Program] diet.” Id. at 14. He contends

that his transfer to another institution does not moot his claim for declaratory relief. See id. Lastly,

Plaintiff disputes Defendant’s state-law sovereign immunity defense. Id. at 11.

In reply, Defendant’s positions remain unchanged in most respects. He challenges

Torrens’ acceptance of service and argues Plaintiff’s substituted service arguments rely on

inapposite caselaw. See Reply, [ECF No. 28] at 1–2. Defendant also incorporates by reference

his stance that substitution of parties is improper; alternatively, he argues that the ninety-day period

in which Plaintiff can substitute a party began running on August 20, 2024—the filing of the

Suggestion of Death in this case. See id. at 2. Defendant mentions that “no estate has been filed

at the time of Defendant’s motion[,] nor has an estate been filed in his name as of this filing.” Id.

For this reason, Defendant posits that Chaplain Klaiber’s survivors (unless they represent Klaiber’s

estate) are nonparties under Rule 25 and did not need to be served with a suggestion of death. See

id.

LEGAL STANDARDS

I. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m)

When a defendant is not served, “a court ordinarily may not exercise power over a party

the complaint names as defendant.” Murphy Bros., Inc. v. Michetti Pipe Stringing, Inc., 526 U.S.

344, 350 (1999). The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require service of the summons and

complaint to be perfected upon a defendant within ninety days after the filing of the complaint.

See FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m). “[W]here service is insufficient, courts generally quash the service and

give the plaintiff an opportunity to re-serve the defendant.” Cooper v. City of Starke, Fla., No. 10-

CV-280, 2011 WL 2531192, at *2 (M.D. Fla. June 24, 2011). Ultimately, if a plaintiff fails to

serve a defendant within ninety days, “the court—on motion or on its own after notice to the

plaintiff—must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be

made within a specific time.” Id.

However, if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court must extend the time

for service for an appropriate period.” FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m). A plaintiff showing good cause for

his delay in effecting service must show he “(1) proceeded in good faith; (2) has a reasonable basis

for noncompliance; and (3) the basis for the delay was more than simple inadvertence or mistake.”

Durgin v. Mon, 659 F. Supp. 2d 1240, 1258 (S.D. Fla. 2009). In cases where the in forma pauperis

plaintiff is a pro se prisoner, the Eleventh Circuit has held: “[A]s long as the court-appointed agent

can locate the prison-guard defendant with reasonable effort, prisoner-litigants who provide

enough information to identify the prison-guard defendant have established good cause for Rule

4(m) purposes.” Gordon v. Carter, No. 15-CV-396, 2020 WL 716743, at *2 (N.D. Fla. Jan. 16,

2020), report and recommendation adopted, No. 15-CV-396, 2020 WL 707127 (N.D. Fla. Feb.

12, 2020) (citing Richardson v. Johnson, 598 F.3d 734, 739–40 (11th Cir. 2010)).

II. Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Generally, a court’s review on a motion to dismiss is limited “to those arguments the parties

have expressly advanced.” Jurich v. Compass Marine, Inc., 906 F. Supp. 2d 1225, 1228 (S.D.

Ala. 2012) (citing Resolution Trust Corp. v. Dunmar Corp., 43 F.3d 587, 599 (11th Cir. 1995)).

However, “[i]t is incumbent on a court of the United States, whether trial or appellate, to dismiss

an action whenever it appears that subject matter jurisdiction is lacking, and the court must do so

sua sponte if the parties have not brought the issue to the attention of the court.” Lost Mountain

Homeowners Ass’n v. Rice, 248 F. App’x 114, 115 n.1 (11th Cir. 2007) (cleaned up).

This is because federal courts are empowered to hear only those cases within the judicial

power of the United States as defined by Article III of the Constitution, and which have been

entrusted to them by a jurisdictional grant authorized by Congress. Univ. of S. Ala. v. Am. Tobacco

Co., 168 F.3d 405, 409 (11th Cir. 1999) (quoting Taylor v. Appleton, 30 F.3d 1365, 1367 (11th

Cir. 1994)). Once a federal court determines that it is without subject matter jurisdiction, the court

is powerless to continue. Id. at 410.

ANALYSIS

Plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as injunctive and declaratory

relief, and he sues Defendant Senior Chaplain John Doe in both his individual and official

capacities. Due to this case’s unique procedural history, Plaintiff’s various claims now present

issues of mootness, subject matter jurisdiction, and service of process. The Court isolates each

claim and analyzes them below.

I. The Court Dismisses Plaintiff’s Requests for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief.

The parties accept that Plaintiff’s requests for injunctive relief are moot. See Mot. at 8

(“When Plaintiff was transferred, first to Charlotte Correctional Institution and then to Wakula

[sic] Correctional Institution, his claims for injunctive and declaratory relief became moot as a

matter of law.”); Resp. at 14 (“Plaintiff’s request for a preliminary injunction is now moot only

because he is finally receiving the [Religious Dietary Program] diet.”).

The Court agrees with Defendant, however, that the law is clear Plaintiff’s transfer from

SFRC mooted his requests for both injunctive and declaratory relief. See, e.g., Smith v. Allen, 502

F.3d 1255, 1267 (11th Cir. 2007), abrogated on other grounds by Sossamon v. Texas, 563 U.S.

277 (2011) (“[A] transfer or release of a prisoner from prison will moot that prisoner’s claims for

injunctive and declaratory relief.”). Accordingly, the Court will DISMISS without prejudice

Plaintiff’s requests for injunctive and declaratory relief. Since Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary

Injunction, [ECF No. 16], seeks virtually the same injunctive relief as the Complaint, that motion

is DENIED as moot.

I I. The Court Dismisses Plaintiff’s Official Capacity Claims.

The Court is left with Plaintiff’s claims for compensatory and punitive damages against

the Defendant in his official and individual capacities. An official capacity suit “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. Mich. Dep’t of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989) (cleaned

up). Courts appear to disagree on “whether service of process in official-capacity suits is governed

by Rule 4(j)(2), which governs service upon the state, or Rule 4(e), which governs service upon

an individual.” Felton v. Winter Park Police Dep’t, No. 22-CV-898, 2022 WL 8216907, at *3 n.3

(M.D. Fla. Aug. 2, 2022) (citing cases). The Court need not resolve this issue; Plaintiff’s official

capacity claims are DISMISSED without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.3

It is well-established that the doctrine of sovereign immunity prevents a plaintiff from

receiving monetary damages from the State; therefore, in an official capacity suit, the plaintiff can

only receive injunctive relief and cannot collect money damages from a defendant sued in their

official capacity. See Jackson v. Ga. Dep’t of Transp., 16 F.3d 1573, 1579 (11th Cir. 1994)

(“Because the Eleventh Amendment bars from federal court an action seeking money damages

from a state, a damages suit against state officials or employees in their official capacities, as that

term is defined in the federal decisions, is also barred.”).

Here, the Defendant Senior Chaplain John Doe is an employee of the Florida Department

of Corrections. See Mot. at 7. The FDOC is “immune from suit for monetary damages unless the

State of Florida waived immunity or it was abrogated by Congress.” Schloper v. Bliss, 903 F.2d

3 The Court’s rulings on Plaintiff’s official capacity claims flow from Defendant’s sovereign immunity

defense. See Mot. at 7. To the extent the Court’s analysis exceeds the scope of the parties’ arguments, it

falls appropriately within the Court’s authority to determine its subject matter jurisdiction. See Foster

Logging, Inc. v. United States, 973 F.3d 1152, 1157 n.3 (11th Cir. 1995) (“If sovereign immunity applies,

a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to consider a claim.”); S&M Brands, Inc. v. Georgia, 925 F.3d

1198, 1204 (11th Cir. 2019) (“State sovereign immunity limits federal court jurisdiction.” (citing Seminole

Tribe of Fla. v. Florida, 517 U.S. 44, 54 (1996))).

1373, 1379 (11th Cir. 1990). Plaintiff bears the burden of “establish[ing] a waiver of sovereign

immunity.” Gilberti v. Padar, No. 23-CV-609, 2023 WL 9547875, at *3 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 6, 2023)

(citing Ishler v. Internal Revenue, 237 F. App’x 394, 398 (2007)).

A. 42 U.S.C. § 1983

Congress did not abrogate a state’s Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity in 42 U.S.C.

§ 1983 actions, and “Florida’s limited waiver of sovereign immunity was not intended to

encompass section 1983 suits for damages.” Zatler v. Wainwright, 802 F.2d 397, 400 (11th Cir.

1986); see also Inmon v. Gilmore, No. 19-CV-550, 2021 WL 4159558, at *3 (N.D. Fla. Aug. 16,

2021), report and recommendation adopted, 2021 WL 4150432 (N.D. Fla. Sept. 13, 2021) (“In

this case, a suit against Defendants—who are [FDOC] employees—in their official capacities is a

suit against the [FDOC]. The [FDOC], a state agency, is ‘clearly the equivalent of the State of

Florida for Eleventh Amendment purposes.’” (quoting Walden v. Fla. Dep’t of Corr., 975 F. Supp.

1330, 1331 (N.D. Fla. 1996))). Accordingly, Plaintiff’s official-capacity constitutional claims

under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 are DISMISSED.

B. Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”)

Under RLUIPA, official capacity suits for money damages are barred by the sovereign

immunity doctrine. See Sossamon, 563 U.S. at 293 (“States, in accepting federal funding, do not

consent to waive their sovereign immunity to private suits for money damages under RLUIPA[.]”);

see also Muhammad v. Davis, No. 10-CV-705, 2013 WL 764761, at *3 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 28, 2013)

(“To the extent the Defendants are sued in their official capacities, RLUIPA ‘does not allow

damage claims against state officials sued in their official capacity.’” (quoting Scott v. Brown, No.

11-CV-2514, 2012 WL 1080363, at *3 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 31, 2012))). Thus, Plaintiff’s official

capacity claim under RLUIPA is DISMISSED.

C. Florida Religious Freedom and Restoration Act (“FRFRA”)

The law is clear that, “absent an express waiver by the state, the Eleventh Amendment bars

state law claims against a state in federal court.” Maynard v. Bd. of Regents of Div. of Univs. of

Fla. Dep’t of Educ., 342 F.3d 1281, 1287 (11th Cir. 2003) (citing Pennhurst State School & Hosp.

v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 98–99 (1984)). Plaintiff has failed to plead, or otherwise respond to

Defendant’s immunity arguments, as to whether Florida expressly waived its Eleventh

Amendment immunity from suit in federal court under the FRFRA. See generally Compl.; Resp.

And, the FRFRA contains no such waiver. See §§ 761.01 et seq., Fla. Stat. Thus, Plaintiff’s

official capacity claim under the FRFRA is DISMISSED. See Gray v. Kohl, No. 07-10024-Civ,

2007 WL 3520119, at *6 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 14, 2007) (“Plaintiff does not respond to this argument

nor demonstrate that the State has consented to suit under the FRFRA in federal court. Therefore,

dismissal of the FRFRA claim against the State Attorney is appropriate.”).

III. The Court Extends Time to Serve Process for Plaintiff’s Individual Capacity

Claims.

What remains are Plaintiff’s individual capacity claims for damages under all three

statutes.4 For the reasons below, service of process on Chaplain Oscar Torrens was improper.

Plaintiff must file an amended complaint to cure Defendant’s lack of capacity—but the Court finds

good cause to extend Plaintiff’s time to serve the proper party.

A. Service of Process was Improper.

The obvious problem here is that the individual Defendant, revealed as—now deceased—

4 Defendant avers that he is immune from suit under Florida law, but it’s the Eleventh Amendment that

governs immunity under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. See Hufford v. Rodgers, 912 F.2d 1338, 1341 (11th Cir. 1990).

And “state officials sued in their individual capacities for employment-related acts are not protected by the

Eleventh Amendment.” Micklas v. Phillips, 522 F. App’x 616, 618 (11th Cir. 2013). As for Plaintiff’s

other individual capacity claims, the parties have not briefed whether recovering any kind of damages is

appropriate under the RLUIPA and the FRFRA. At this stage, the Court makes no judgment either way but

will not disturb Plaintiff seeking damages under those statutes if he re-attempts service of process.

Senior Chaplain Bruce Klaiber, lacks the capacity to be sued. A defendant’s capacity is governed

by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(b), which reads that “the law of the individual’s domicile”

determines the capacity of an individual “who is not acting in a representative capacity[.]” FED. R.

CIV. P. 17(b)(1). For “all other parties,” (aside from corporations), capacity is defined “by the law

of the state where the court is located[.]” Id. 17(b)(3).

In Florida, “[a] decedent lacks the capacity to be sued.” United States v. Estate of

Schoenfeld, 344 F. Supp. 3d 1354, 1360 (M.D. Fla. 2018) (citing Xtra Super Food Ctr. v. Carmona,

516 So. 2d 300, 301 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987)). His estate itself is not the right party; rather, “the

personal representative of the estate must be served in her representative capacity to subject the

estate to the jurisdiction of the court.” Garcia v. Diamond Marine Ltd., No. 13-23166-Civ, 2013

WL 6086916, at *1 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 18, 2023). Therefore, the proper party to be served with the

summons and the Complaint is the personal representative of Chaplain Bruce Klaiber.

“Where a defendant challenges service of process, the plaintiff bears the burden of

establishing its validity.” Fitzpatrick v. Bank of New York Mellon, 580 F. App’x 690, 694 (11th

Cir. 2014) (citation omitted). Plaintiff’s agency arguments in favor of substituted service are

misplaced; nobody suggests that Chaplain Oscar Torrens was authorized to accept service of

process on behalf of Klaiber’s estate. Because service on Chaplain Oscar Torrens was improper,

the Court will QUASH service of process, [ECF No. 15], on Defendant Senior Chaplain John Doe.

B. The Court Will Not Substitute Parties.

The Court must now answer whether it can substitute the decedent’s personal

representative as Defendant in this case. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25 allows for substitution

of parties upon the death of a litigant. That rule reads, in pertinent part, “[i]f a party dies and the

claim is not extinguished, the court may order substitution of the proper party. A motion for

substitution may be made by any party or by the decedent’s successor or representative.” FED. R.

C .P. 25(a)(1). Under these circumstances, the Court agrees with Defendant that substitution of

parties is inappropriate.

The Fifth Circuit has addressed the substitution of a party who dies before the lawsuit

commences as follows:

Appellants moved to substitute the heirs of Peter R. Buras as parties

defendant. Rule 25(a)(1) . . . allows substitution for a deceased party

where the claim is not extinguished by his death. However, as the

district court noted, the rule contemplates substitution for someone

who had been made a party before his death. It is not available to

the appellants in the present case since Buras predeceased the filing

of the action.

Mizukami v. Buras, 419 F.2d 1319, 1320 (5th Cir. 1969);5 accord Andrews v. Lakeshore

Rehabilitation Hospital, 140 F.3d 1405, 1407 (11th Cir. 1998) (“Rule 25(c) applies only to

transfers of interest occurring during the pendency of the litigation and not to those occurring

before the litigation begins.”); Garcia, 2013 WL 6086916, at *2 (“At the time of his death, Lo

Curto was not a party to this lawsuit. Thus, Rule 25(a)(1) is not applicable.” (citing FED. R. CIV.

P. 25(a)(1))). As Chaplain Bruce Klaiber died long before Plaintiff filed the Complaint, Rule 25

does not apply in this case.

C. Plaintiff Has Shown Good Cause.

Nevertheless, this action is not a nullity, as “a complaint filed against a deceased individual

is capable of amendment to cure that defendant’s lack of capacity.” Estate of Schoenfeld, 344 F.

Supp. at 1363–64, see also id. at 1361 (citing federal courts that “agree that such an action is not

a legal nullity and can be cured by amendment”). And “basic fairness” will not bar joinder of a

proper party when an improper party is dismissed. Garcia, 2013 WL 6086916, at *2. So, the

Court will allow Plaintiff to amend his Complaint to name the proper defendant.

5 The Eleventh Circuit has adopted the caselaw of the former Fifth Circuit as its governing body of

precedent. See Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206, 1209–11 (11th Cir. 1981) (en banc).

Moving on, the Court will construe Plaintiff’s argument in favor of substitution of parties

as one seeking to extend time to serve the decedent’s personal representative. See Smith v. United

States, 420 F. App’x 944, 945 (11th Cir. 2011) (“We construe pro se filings liberally to afford

review on any legally justifiable base.” (cleaned up)). Since more than ninety days have passed

from the day Plaintiff filed the Complaint, he must demonstrate good cause to extend time to

correct defective service. See FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m).

The Court finds that Plaintiff has proceeded in good faith and is not at fault for

noncompliance with Rule 4(m). See Durgin, 659 F. Supp. at 1258. Plaintiff recites the procedural

history here, including his proper identification of Defendant as “[t]he Senior Chaplin [sic] who

worked at SFRC on December 27, 2023,” yet resulting in one failed attempt at service by a deputy

marshal. Resp. at 7 (citing Compl. ¶ 14). Indeed, “the failure of the United States Marshal to

effectuate service on behalf of an in forma pauperis plaintiff through no fault of that plaintiff

constitutes ‘good cause’ for the plaintiff’s failure to effect timely service within the meaning of

Rule 4(m).” Allen v. Carey, 626 F. App’x 852, 853 (11th Cir. 2015). The docket also reflects

several delays that are unattributable to Plaintiff, including a twenty-seven-day delay between

service of process and the notice of Chaplain Bruce Klaiber’s death. Compare Affidavit of

Service, [ECF No. 15], with Suggestion of Death, [ECF No. 22]. Therefore, good cause exists to

extend the time to serve the summons and the Complaint.

Plaintiff suggests that Defendant’s counsel is responsible for disclosing the proper party to

be sued. It is true that “[u]nder Rule 25, the party serving the suggestion of death must look to

state law, identify the decedent’s representative or successor, and notify that party of the death and

the lawsuit.” Silas v. Sheriff of Broward Cnty., 55 F.4th 872, 876 (11th Cir. 2022). As the Court

has already held, however, Rule 25 has no effect here. In any event, Defendant contends that no

estate has been filed in Chaplain Bruce Klaiber’s name. So, if Plaintiff seeks to re-attempt service

of process on Defendant’s personal representative, not only must he amend the Complaint, but he

now bears the responsibility of locating the name and address of said individual.

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows:

1. The Defendant, Senior Chaplain John Doe’s Motion to Quash Service or, in the

Alternative, to Dismiss, [ECF No. 23], is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.

2. Service of process on Defendant Senior Chaplain John Doe, [ECF No. 15], is

QUASHED. Defendant Senior Chaplain John Doe is TERMINATED as a party to

this action.

3. Plaintiff, Peter A. Gatlyn’s, Motion for Preliminary Injunction, [ECF No. 16], is

DENIED as moot.

4. Plaintiff’s requests for injunctive and declaratory relief are DISMISSED without

prejudice as moot. Plaintiff’s official capacity claims are DISMISSED without

prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

5. As to Plaintiff’s individual capacity claims for damages, the Court EXTENDS time

to serve the summons and the Complaint on Defendant’s personal representative to

November 18, 2024.

6. If the Plaintiff decides to re-attempt service of process, he must first file an Amended

Complaint with the Court that identifies the proper defendant on or before November

6 And, if Chaplain Oscar Torrens has ever appeared on his own behalf, or on behalf of FDOC, all claims

against his agency have otherwise been dismissed, and he is not a party to this action. So, neither Torrens,

nor his employer, is obligated to keep Plaintiff apprised of the status of Chaplain Bruce Klaiber’s estate.

18, 2024. The Amended Complaint may not exceed twenty (20) pages in length.

Plaintiff should make every effort to keep his allegations within the four corners of

the complaint form and to keep attached additional pages at a minimum to better

adhere to the page limitations set by this Order. If applicable, the Amended Complaint

must contain a separate paragraph explaining what the Defendant did and the

supporting facts to show why that person is being sued.

7. The Amended Complaint must be docketed, signed under the penalty of perjury, and

contain a short and plain statement ofa claim for relief, a basis for federal jurisdiction,

and a demand for judgment. The Court will only consider claims raised in the

Amended Complaint, and the Amended Complaint will be the operative document for

the remainder of this action. Plaintiff cannot incorporate-by-reference prior claims.

8. Upon Plaintiffs request, the Court may order that service be made by a United States

marshal or deputy marshal or by a person specially appointed by the court. See FED.

R. Civ. P. 4(c)(3). Plaintiff must provide sufficient information for the U.S. Marshal’s

Service to identify and locate the proper defendant to effect service of process.

9. Plaintiffs failure to serve the proper defendant by the deadline shall result in dismissal

of his case. See FED. R. Civ. P. 4(m). Likewise, Plaintiff's failure to file an Amended

Complaint and comply with this Order will also result in dismissal of his case for

failure to prosecute or failure to comply with court orders. See id. 41(b).

10. This case shall remain administratively closed pending compliance with this Order.

DONE AND ORDERED in Miami, Florida, this 15th day of October, 2024.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Page 15 of 16

cc: PLe7t4e2r 1A4. Gatlyn

Dade Correctional Institution

Inmate Mail/Parcels

19000 SW 377th Street

Florida City, FL 33034

PRO SE