Opinion
2:22-cv-2325 2:22-cv-2568
03-09-2023
Achak Ben Aniyunwiya, Plaintiff, v. Matthew Lutz, et al., Defendants. Achak Ben Aniyunwiya, Plaintiff, v. Judge Maria Kalis, et al., Defendants.
Silvain, Jr. Magistrate Judge
OPINION AND ORDER
MICHAEL H. WATSON, JUDGE
The magistrate judge issued a Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) in each of these cases; each R&R recommended dismissal of the case. Case No. 2:22-cv-2325, ECF No. 12; Case No. 2:22-cv-2568, ECF No. 7. When Plaintiff failed to timely object to either R&R, the Court adopted both and dismissed Plaintiff's Complaints. Case No. 2:22-cv-2325, ECF No. 13; Case No. 2:22-cv-2568, ECF No. 11.
Several months later, Plaintiff moved for reconsideration, arguing he failed to timely object because he did not receive the R&Rs. Case No. 2:22-cv-2325, ECF No. 15; Case No. 2:22-cv-2568, ECF No. 13. He also requested the Court continue both cases until after his release from prison, and he asked the Court to appoint him counsel. Case No. 2:22-cv-2325, ECF No. 16; Case No. 2:22-cv-2568, ECF No. 14.
The Court granted Plaintiffs motions for reconsideration and provided Plaintiff additional time to object to each R&R. Case No. 2:22-cv-2325, ECF No. 17; Case No. 2:22-cv-2568, ECF No. 15. The Court denied Plaintiffs motions for counsel and to continue the cases until after his release from custody. Id.
Plaintiff has filed the same set of objections to each R&R. Case No. 2:22-cv-2325, ECF No. 18; Case No. 2:22-cv-2568, ECF No. 16. The thrust of those objections is that Plaintiff is a natural born person, and the entity involved in the state cases referenced in the Complaints is an artificial person created by the government. Id. Plaintiff argues he renegotiated his contract with the State of Ohio and provided ample notice of the revised contract to various government officials prior to the events at issue in these cases. Id.
The objections fail to satisfy Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(b)(2). They are not “specific objections” to any factual finding or recommendation in either R&R. Other than including a general objection to any form of legal immunity, Plaintiffs document does not point to any specific portion of either R&R that should be reviewed de novo.
Out of an abundance of caution, however, the Court has performed a do novo review of the magistrate judge's recommended disposition in each case. The Court OVERRULES Plaintiffs objections and ACCEPTS the recommended disposition for the reasons stated in the R&Rs. In addition to the reasoning contained in the R&Rs, the Court notes that, to the extent Plaintiff alleges false imprisonment or malicious prosecution, those claims are barred by Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 486, 487 (1994), as success on either of those claims would imply that Plaintiffs criminal convictions are invalid.
Accordingly, Plaintiffs Complaints in the above-captioned cases are
DISMISSED as follows:
• In Case No. 2:22-cv-2325, Plaintiffs claims against Sheriff Lutz and Deputy Swiney are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE to the extent the claims are based on those defendants' alleged illegal disregard of Plaintiffs status as a Sovereign Citizen. Any other claim against Sheriff Lutz or Deputy Swiney is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure to state a claim. Plaintiffs claim against Nurse Shelly is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure to state a claim. Plaintiffs claims against Judge Fleegle, Captain LeCocq, Captain Suciu, Prosecutor Little, and Prosecutor Welch are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure to state a claim. Plaintiffs claim against Attorney Edwards is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.
• In Case No. 2:22-cv-2568, Plaintiffs claims against the State of Ohio are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE due to sovereign immunity. Plaintiffs claims against Judge Kalis, the Muskingum County Public Defender, and Donita Barnett are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. Plaintiffs claims against Attorney Starcher, the Zanesville Times Recorder, Sheriff Lutz, and Captain Suciu are DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Further, the Court certifies pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal would not be taken in good faith.
The Clerk is DIRECTED to close these cases.
IT IS SO ORDERED.