Christopher Andrew Maldonado v. Peterson, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Montana dismissed Christopher Andrew Maldonado’s amended complaint alleging due process and racial discrimination violations at the Missoula County Detention Center. The court held that the allegations failed to state a plausible constitutional claim, directed the clerk to close the case, denied pending motions as moot, and ordered that the dismissal count as a strike under 28 U.S.C. § 1915.

Holdings

1. Allegations that prison or detention-center regulations, policies, or procedures were violated, without more, do not suffice to plead a constitutional claim.
2. The amended complaint failed to state a due process claim because Maldonado did not allege facts showing that the classifications and movements related to his conduct at the detention center violated due process.
3. The allegation that two white individuals were treated differently for similar violations was too vague and amounted only to a possibility of misconduct, not a plausible entitlement to relief.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the amended complaint stated a plausible federal constitutional claim based on Maldonado's classifications and movements at the detention center.
2. Whether allegations that two white detainees were treated differently for similar violations stated a plausible racial-discrimination claim.
3. Whether alleged violations of detention-center regulations, policies, or procedures were sufficient to state a constitutional claim.

Disposition

dismissed