Ontario D. Fondren v. Christopher Stevens, James Kent, Tonia Doris Rozmarynoski, and Dominic Strack

Summary

In this screening order, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin permits Ontario D. Fondren to proceed on Eighth Amendment excessive-force claims against Captain Tonia Doris Rozmarynoski and Officer Dominic Strack. The court drops the unrelated due-process claim concerning protective confinement and terminates Warden Christopher Stevens and Security Director James Kent as defendants.

Holdings

1. The allegations plausibly stated an Eighth Amendment excessive-force claim against Captain Rozmarynoski and Officer Strack, so the claim may proceed.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the amended complaint plausibly stated an Eighth Amendment excessive-force claim against Captain Tonia Doris Rozmarynoski and Officer Dominic Strack.
2. Whether Fondren's due-process claim concerning his placement in protective confinement was properly joined with the excessive-force claims.
3. Whether Warden Christopher Stevens and Security Director James Kent should remain defendants when the amended complaint did not state claims against them related to the May 2025 incident.