# White v. Dietrich

> District Court, D. Oregon · August 26, 2024

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10666408

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, D. Oregon
- **Decided:** August 26, 2024
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

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## Opinion text

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON

DAVID WHITE, Case No. 1:24-cv-01395-IM

Plaintiff, OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING
PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
v. DISMISSING THE COMPLAINT, AND
DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION
SUSANA DIETRICH; MARY LOU FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
SOSCIA, in her personal capacity as AND TEMPORARY RESTRAINING
President of Water Watch Oregon; BRYAN ORDER
SOHLIN, in his personal capacity as Vice
President of Water Watch Oregon; NEIL
BRANDT, in his personal capacity as
Executive Director of Water Watch Oregon;
and MELANIE KLYM, River Design
Group,

Defendants.

David White, 18965 NW Illahe St, Portland, OR 97229. Pro Se.

IMMERGUT, District Judge.

This matter is before this Court on Plaintiff David White’s Application to Proceed In
Forma Pauperis, ECF 2, and Motion for a Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining
PAGE 1 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
Order, ECF 3. Plaintiff has shown an inability to prepay fees and costs or give security for them.
Accordingly, this Court grants Plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”) pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). For the reasons below, however, this Court dismisses Plaintiff’s
Complaint without prejudice. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). Plaintiff may refile a signed complaint
on or before September 16, 2024. Plaintiff is advised that any amended complaint should comply

with the standards identified below. This Court also denies Plaintiff’s Motion for a Preliminary
Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order as he has failed to establish standing and
irreparable harm. Plaintiff may refile this motion, if appropriate, but not before filing any
amended complaint.
LEGAL STANDARDS
A complaint filed IFP may be dismissed at any time, including before service of process,
if the court determines that the action “(i) is frivolous or malicious; (ii) fails to state a claim on
which relief may be granted; or (iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune
from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); see also Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 324 (1989)
(explaining that sua sponte dismissals under § 1915 “spare prospective defendants the

inconvenience and expense of answering” complaints which are “frivolous, malicious, or
repetitive”); Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126 n.7 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc) (noting that
§ 1915(e) applies to all IFP complaints, not just those filed by prisoners). A complaint is
frivolous when “it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact.” Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 325;
Ozim v. City & County of San Francisco, No. 21-15099, 2021 WL 5412457, at *1 (9th Cir. Nov.
19, 2021). A complaint fails to state a claim when it does not contain sufficient factual matter
which, when accepted as true, gives rise to a plausible inference that a defendant violated a
plaintiff’s rights. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009); Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550

PAGE 2 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
U.S. 544, 556–57 (2007). “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by
mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678.
Courts, however, must construe pro se filings liberally. Gonzalez-Castillo v. Garland, 47
F.4th 971, 980 (9th Cir. 2022). A pro se complaint, “however inartfully pleaded, must be held to
less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.” Simmons v. United States,

142 S. Ct. 23, 25 (2021) (Sotomayor, J., statement respecting denial of certiorari) (quoting
Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (per curiam)). A pro se litigant will be given leave to
amend his complaint unless it is clear that the deficiencies of the complaint cannot be cured by
amendment. Rosati v. Igbinoso, 791 F.3d 1037, 1039 (9th Cir. 2015) (per curiam).
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff filed the Complaint on August 23, 2024. Complaint (“Compl.”), ECF 1. Plaintiff
brings this action under 18 U.S.C. § 3; 18 U.S.C. § 1001; 18 U.S.C. § 1621, the Endangered
Species Act (“ESA”); 18 U.S.C. § 41; 29 CFR § 1606.8 (1), the Clean Water Act; 28 U.S.C.
§ 4101; and 33 CFR Part 329. Id. at 3–4. Plaintiff did not sign his complaint. ECF 1. Plaintiff
names as Defendants the following individuals: (1) Susana Dietrich, the apparent owner of

Dietrich Construction; (2) Mary Lou Soscia, the alleged President of Water Watch of Oregon;
(3) Bryan Sohlin, the alleged President of Water Watch of Oregon; (4) Neil Brandt, the alleged
Executive Director of Water Watch of Oregon; and (5) Melanie Klym of River Design Group.
Id. at 1–2. Plaintiff alleges a class action, where class action members are “local stakeholders”
whose identities will be withheld until trial. Id. at 2. The lawsuit concerns the alleged future
removal of the Pomeroy Dam on the Illinois River. Id. at 4, 25. In his IFP application, Plaintiff
states that he is retired and earns only $78 per month. ECF 2 at 1.

PAGE 3 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
DISCUSSION
A. Sua Sponte Dismissal
As detailed below, this Court finds that it is appropriate to dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint
sua sponte and permit him leave to amend. Plaintiff is advised that an amended complaint
supersedes the preceding complaint. Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992).
After amendment, the court treats all preceding complaints as nonexistent. Id. Because this Court

grants Plaintiff leave to amend all of his claims raised here, except those grounded in criminal
law, any claim raised in a preceding complaint is waived if it is not raised again in the amended
complaint. Lacey v. Maricopa County, 693 F.3d 896, 928 (9th Cir. 2012).
1. Jurisdiction
Before screening Plaintiff’s Complaint pursuant to § 1915(e)(2)(B), this Court first
addresses whether it has jurisdiction over this action.
a. Original Jurisdiction
Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and are not empowered to hear every
dispute presented by litigants. See A-Z Int’l v. Phillips, 323 F.3d 1141, 1145 (9th Cir. 2003). A
federal district court is empowered to hear only those cases that are within the judicial power
conferred by the United States Constitution and those that fall within the area of jurisdiction

granted by Congress. See United States v. Ceja-Prado, 333 F.3d 1046, 1049–50 (9th Cir. 2003).
Original jurisdiction must be based either on a claim arising under the Constitution, laws, or
treaties of the United States or on diversity of citizenship for controversies involving more than
$75,000. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332.
Here, Plaintiff brings claims under 18 U.S.C. §§ 3, 1001, and 1621. Though these are
federal statutes, they do not confer jurisdiction here because they do not provide a private right
of action. The first, 18 U.S.C. § 3, is a criminal statute for accessory after the fact to a federal
PAGE 4 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
offense and does not create a private right of action.1 The second, 18 U.S.C. § 1001, is a criminal
statute that punishes fraudulent statements within the executive, legislative, or judicial branches,
and does not create a private right of action.2 The third, 18 U.S.C. § 1621, is the criminal statute
for perjury and does not create a private right of action.3 Any claims brought by Plaintiff under
these statutes are dismissed. If Plaintiff includes these claims in an amended complaint, this

Court will dismiss them with prejudice.
b. Subject Matter Jurisdiction
Standing is an aspect of subject matter jurisdiction and is necessary “no matter how
important the issue.” Fleck & Assocs., Inc. v. City of Phoenix, 471 F.3d 1100, 1107 (9th Cir.
2006). Courts have “both the power and the duty” to raise the adequacy of standing sua sponte.
Bernhardt v. County of Los Angeles, 279 F.3d 862, 868 (9th Cir. 2002).
Plaintiff seeks damages and declaratory and injunctive relief. Compl., ECF 1 at 1.
Plaintiff must have standing for each type of relief sought. Summers v. Earth Island Inst., 555

1 Giblin v. Bloomfield, No. C19-5480 BHS-TLF, 2020 WL 4808654, at *2 (W.D. Wash.
July 15, 2020), report and recommendation adopted, 2020 WL 4785547 (W.D. Wash. Aug. 18,
2020); Birdwell v. Larsen, No. 05-1956-KI, 2006 WL 975911, at *5 (D. Or. Apr. 6, 2006);
Steinman v. I.R.S., No. CIV 95-1889 PHX EHC, 1996 WL 512333, at *5 (D. Ariz. June 5, 1996).
2 Swanson v. Danielson, No. 6:23-CV-00754-MK, 2023 WL 4474629, at *1 (D. Or. May
25, 2023) (“Because the statute does not confer a private right of action, Plaintiff has not stated
any claim under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.”), report and recommendation adopted, No. 6:23-CV-00754-
MK, 2023 WL 4461760 (D. Or. July 11, 2023); Dowdell v. Sacramento Hous. & Redevelopment
Agency, No. 2:11-CV-00409 JAM, 2011 WL 837046, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 8, 2011) (“[M]yriad
other courts throughout the nation have persuasively concluded that Section 1001 does not
provide an express or implied right of action.”); Hazzard v. Schaaf, No. 22-CV-02921-JSW,
2022 WL 5101769, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 4, 2022).
3 Kandell v. SUR 702, No. 223CV00248APGEJY, 2023 WL 3020333, at *2 (D. Nev.
Apr. 20, 2023), report and recommendation adopted, No. 223CV00248APGEJY, 2023 WL
4174624 (D. Nev. June 23, 2023); Li Qin v. Brown, No. 19-CV-00311-SVK, 2019 WL
11343485, at *7 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 7, 2019); Chipman v. Nelson, No. 2:11-CV-2770-TLN-EFB,
2014 WL 4635117, at *9 n.7 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 10, 2014).
PAGE 5 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
U.S. 488, 493 (2009). “To seek injunctive relief, a plaintiff must show that he is under threat of
suffering ‘injury in fact’ that is concrete and particularized; the threat must be actual and
imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical; it must be fairly traceable to the challenged action of
the defendant; and it must be likely that a favorable judicial decision will prevent or redress the

injury.” Id. “[A]t least one named plaintiff must satisfy the actual injury requirement to seek
relief on behalf of himself or the class.” Huynh v. Chase Manhattan Bank, 465 F.3d 992, 1002
n.7 (9th Cir. 2006) (emphasis omitted) (quoting Casey v. Lewis, 4 F.3d 1516, 1519 (9th Cir.
1993)).
Plaintiff states that “[s]tanding is inherent or built-in by the class action nature of this
case.” Compl., ECF 1 at 30. However, in a class action, “at least one named plaintiff must have
standing.” I.C. v. Zynga, Inc., 600 F. Supp. 3d 1034, 1046 (N.D. Cal. 2022) (emphasis added)
(first citing Frank v. Gaos, 586 U.S. 485, 493 (2019); then citing Ollier v. Sweetwater Union
High Dist., 768 F.3d 843, 865 (9th Cir. 2014)). As the only named plaintiff, Plaintiff himself

must have standing. Plaintiff also states that standing is “inherent” due to the alleged federal
environmental law allegations. Compl., ECF 1 at 30. This is incorrect. Suing under federal
environmental laws does not allow Plaintiff to bypass the standing inquiry.
As to the injury prong, Plaintiff does not allege how the destruction of the dam would
injure him. According to the Complaint, Plaintiff resides in Portland, Oregon. Compl., ECF 1 at
1. Plaintiff does not allege, for example, that he regularly visits the Southern Oregon river or that
he fishes in it or that he obtains power from the dam. Plaintiff must have a “more specific
connection” than caring for the environment. Lujan v. Defs. of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 567
(1992).

PAGE 6 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
As to the imminence requirement, Plaintiff does not allege the date on which the dam is
scheduled to be taken down. It is unclear if the dam removal is scheduled and “imminent,” rather
than “conjectural or hypothetical.” Thus, this Court finds that Plaintiff lacks standing to seek
injunctive relief.
c. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4

Plaintiff served his Complaint on Defendants by email and CM/ECF notification. Compl.,
ECF 1 at 33–34. As described below, this method of service is insufficient, and this Court
therefore lacks jurisdiction over Defendants.
Without proper service under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4, a court cannot exercise
jurisdiction over a defendant. Barnett v. Maxwell, No. 6:22-CV-00312-MK, 2022 WL 2817176,
at *1 (D. Or. July 19, 2022); Direct Mail Specialists, Inc. v. Eclat Computerized Techs., Inc., 840
F.2d 685, 688 (9th Cir. 1988). Federal Rule of Procedure 4(e) authorizes four methods of service
on an individual within a United States Judicial District:
(1) following state law for serving a summons in an action brought
in courts of general jurisdiction in the state where the district court
is located or where service is made; or
(2) doing any of the following:
(A) delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint
to the individual personally;
(B) leaving a copy of each at the individual’s dwelling or
usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and
discretion who resides there; or
(C) delivering a copy of each to an agent authorized by
appointment or by law to receive service of process.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e).
Under state law, the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure provide that:
PAGE 7 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
Summons shall be served, either within or without this state, in any
manner reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to
apprise the defendant of the existence and pendency of the action
and to afford a reasonable opportunity to appear and defend . . . .
Service may be made, subject to the restrictions and requirements
of this rule, by the following methods: personal service of true
copies of the summons and the complaint upon defendant or an
agent of defendant authorized to receive process; substituted
service by leaving true copies of the summons and the complaint at
a person’s dwelling house or usual place of abode; office service
by leaving true copies of the summons and the complaint with a
person who is apparently in charge of an office; service by mail; or
service by publication.
Or. R. Civ. P. 7(D)(1). Alternate service is appropriate “when it appears that service is not
possible under any method otherwise specified in these rules or other rule or statute.” Or. R. Civ.
P. 7(D)(6). One such alternative is service by email. Or. R. Civ. P. 7(D)(6)(b). However, the
plaintiff must move the court for alternate service. Or. R. Civ. P. 7(D)(6).
Plaintiff is thus incorrect that service by email and CM/ECF is appropriate at this stage.
Compl., ECF 1 at 32–33; see In re J.P., No. 1:24-CV-00648-AA, 2024 WL 1701940, at *1 (D.
Or. Apr. 19, 2024) (denying motion for alternate service where petitioner failed to show that
“service is not possible save by alternative means.”); Barnett, 2022 WL 2817176, at *1 (denying
plaintiff’s motion for alternate service). Plaintiff cites the Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rules
821.10(2) for his proposition that email service is allowed under Oregon law. Compl., ECF 1 at
32–33. This Court is unable to locate this provision and finds no other authority to support
Plaintiff’s position. Plaintiff must therefore properly serve any amended complaint on
Defendants and submit proof of service to the Court.
2. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11
This Court next determines whether Plaintiff has complied with Rule 11 of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure, which requires that pleadings be signed. Plaintiff failed to sign the
PAGE 8 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
Complaint. See ECF 2. Under Rule 11, courts are required to strike an unsigned pleading. Fed. R.
Civ. P. 11(a). Accordingly, the Complaint is stricken.
3. Screening Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)
This Court now turns to the required screening. As noted above, any complaint filed by a
plaintiff proceeding IFP is subject to sua sponte dismissal by the court to the extent the complaint

contains claims which are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be
granted, or seek monetary relief from a defendant immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. §
1915(e)(2)(B); Calhoun v. Stahl, 254 F.3d 845, 845 (9th Cir. 2001) (per curiam); Lopez, 203
F.3d at 1127 (“[S]ection 1915(e) not only permits but requires a district court to dismiss an in
forma pauperis complaint that fails to state a claim.”).
Plaintiff’s Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Plaintiff is
not required to make detailed factual allegations, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a
cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at
678. Plaintiff must set forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief
that is plausible on its face.’” Id. (quoting Bell Atl. Corp., 550 U.S. at 570 ). Facial plausibility

demands more than the mere possibility that a defendant committed misconduct Id. at 679.
Here, the Complaint contains “introduction” and “argument” sections and makes many
legal conclusions throughout, as if it were a legal brief. Courts need not credit legal conclusions
that are couched as factual allegations. Id. at 678–79. Plaintiff is advised to limit any amended
complaint to factual allegations. Further, the Complaint contains emails, photographs, tables, and
other exhibits within the body of the Complaint. It is not necessary to attach exhibits to the
Complaint or any amended complaint. A complaint must sufficiently state the facts and claims

PAGE 9 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
without reference to exhibits. If Plaintiff chooses to submit an amended complaint and that
complaint references any exhibits, those exhibits must be attached at the end of the complaint.
Plaintiff is further advised that an amended complaint needs to specify “which wrongs
were committed by which defendants.” See McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172, 1179 (9th Cir.
1996). Plaintiff must link the factual allegations to specific defendants. Plaintiff must allege in

any amended complaint how each defendant is responsible for the allegedly wrongful permits,
destruction of the dam, or any other wrong. As it currently stands, this Court is unable to
determine whether Plaintiff has sued the correct defendants, as opposed to the government
entities or actors involved in the dam removal approval process and dam removal process.
B. Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order
Plaintiff also moved for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order
(“TRO”), ECF 3. Plaintiff’s TRO request fails for the reasons described in the subject matter
jurisdiction section above. Namely, Plaintiff’s TRO request fails to establish standing and
irreparable harm to Plaintiff or to any purported class member.
A plaintiff seeking a preliminary injunction must establish: (1) a likelihood of succeed on

the merits; (2) a likelihood that plaintiff will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of
preliminary relief; (3) that the balance of equities tips in his favor; and (4) that an injunction is in
the public interest. Winter v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008). “The standard for
issuing a temporary restraining order is identical to the standard for issuing a preliminary
injunction.” Lockheed Missile & Space Co., Inc. v. Hughes Aircraft Co., 887 F. Supp. 1320,
1323 (N.D. Cal. 1995); see also Stuhlbarg Int’l Sales Co. v. John D. Brushy & Co., 240 F.3d
832, 839 n.7 (9th Cir. 2001) (standards for issuing a TRO are “substantially identical” to those
for issuing a preliminary injunction). To meet the “irreparable harm” requirement, Plaintiff must

PAGE 10 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,
do more than simply allege imminent harm; he must demonstrate it. Caribbean Marine Servs.
Co. v. Baldridge, 844 F.2d 668, 674 (9th Cir. 1998).
To the extent Plaintiff seeks a TRO without notice upon an adverse party, he cannot yet
proceed with such an extraordinary request, for his submission fails to set out “specific facts in
an affidavit or a verified complaint [which] clearly show that immediate and irreparable injury,

loss, or damage will result . . . before the adverse party can be heard in opposition.” Fed. R. Civ.
P. 65(b)(1)(A); Gomez v. Vernon, 255 F.3d 1118, 1128 (9th Cir. 2001) (“[I]njunctive relief is ‘to
be used sparingly, and only in a clear and plain case.’”) (quoting Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362,
378 (1976)). As described above, notice by email and CM/ECF is insufficient. Plaintiff is
advised that he must immediately serve any future motion for injunctive relief on all defendants
and provide proof of service to the Court.
CONCLUSION
Plaintiff’s Application for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, ECF 2, is GRANTED.
Plaintiff’s Complaint, ECF 1, is DISMISSED without prejudice. Plaintiff is GRANTED leave to
amend his complaint; if Plaintiff chooses to amend his Complaint, he must do so by September

16, 2024. Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order, ECF
3, is DENIED; if Plaintiff finds it appropriate to refile this motion, he may do so, but not before
filing an amended complaint.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED this 26th day of August, 2024.

/s/ Karin J. Immergut
Karin J. Immergut
United States District Judge

PAGE 11 – OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S IFP APPLICATION,

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10666408. Public record. Not legal advice.