CLOSED,PROSE−PR,TYPE I−FOIA
U.S. District Court
District of Columbia (Washington, DC)
CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 1:22−cv−00442−TSC
BRANFORD v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE et al
Assigned to: Judge Tanya S. Chutkan
Cause: 05:552 Freedom of Information Act
Date Filed: 02/18/2022
Date Terminated: 10/03/2023
Jury Demand: None
Nature of Suit: 550 Prisoner Petition: Civil
Rights (Other)
Jurisdiction: U.S. Government Defendant
Plaintiff
JOEL J. BRANFORD represented by JOEL J. BRANFORD
R71914−054
FCI RAY BROOK
P.O. Box 900
Ray Brook, NY 12977
PRO SE
V.
Defendant
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE
Defendant
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Defendant
U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER
PROTECTION AGENCIES
Date Filed # Docket Text
02/18/2022 1 COMPLAINT against U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION AGENCIES,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 402, receipt number 201593) filed by
JOEL J. BRANFORD. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(znmw)
(Entered: 02/23/2022)
02/23/2022 SUMMONS Not Issued as to All Defendants (znmw) (Entered: 02/23/2022)
02/24/2022 2 ORDER: Advising pro se Plaintiff of his obligation to follow the FRCP, Local Rules
and orders of the court, including rules regarding service of process. Failure to adhere
to these rules or orders may result in sanctions, up to and including dismissal of this
action. The Clerk of the Court shall mail a copy of this order to Plaintiff at this address
of record. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 2/24/22. (DJS) (Entered: 02/24/2022)
03/03/2022 Summons (3) Issued as to U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION AGENCIES,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (znmg) (Entered: 03/03/2022)
08/08/2022 MINUTE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: Plaintiff filed this civil action pro se (i.e.,
without an attorney) on 02/18/2022, and the Clerk of Court issued summonses on
03/03/2022. Plaintiff is not proceeding in forma pauperis and is, therefore, responsible
for serving the Defendants with process, consisting of the summons and a copy of the
complaint. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 (c). The record does not reflect that service has
occurred. Plaintiffs in civil actions, who proceed pro se have a responsibility to comply
with this court's Local Civil Rules, as well as the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 "If a defendant is not served within 90
days after the complaint is filed, the court−−on motion or on its own after notice to the
plaintiff−−must dismiss the action without prejudice... or order that service be made
within a specified time. But 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). The
90 −day period having run, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff SHOW CAUSE in
writing by 10/3/22, why this action should not be dismissed. Plaintiff's failure to
effectuate service or to satisfactorily respond to the present order by 10/3/22 may
result in the dismissal of this action, without further notice. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 (m);
Local Civil Rule 83.23. The Clerk of the Court shall mail a copy of this order to: JOEL
J. BRANFORD, R71914−054, FCI RAY BROOK, P.O. Box 900, Ray Brook, NY
12977. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 8/8/22. (DJS) (Entered: 08/08/2022)
08/11/2022 Set/Reset Deadlines: Response to Show Cause due by 10/3/2022. (tb) (Entered:
08/11/2022)
10/03/2023 3 ORDER dismissing this action without prejudice. The court ordered plaintiff to show
cause why this action should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute by 10/3/2022.
Plaintiff has not served defendants or shown cause. Accordingly, the case is
DISMISSED without prejudice and the Clerk of Court is directed to close the case and
mail a copy of this Order to Plaintiff at his address of record. Signed by Judge Tanya
S. Chutkan on 10/3/2023. (lca) (Entered: 10/03/2023)