Trenbeth v. Albertson Companies, Inc

1:26-cv-01150NmdMay 12, 2026

Full text

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
AMANDA TRENBETH,
Plaintiff,
v. No. 1:26-cv-01150-MIS-DLM
ALBERTSONS COMPANIES, INC.,
Defendant.
ORDER OF DISMISSAL
This case arises from Defendant’s pharmacy’s alleged unauthorized disclosure of
Plaintiff’s private medical information to a third party via text messages. See Compl., ECF No. 1.
Plaintiff asserts state-law claims for invasion of privacy, negligence, negligent infliction of
emotional distress, and pursuant to New Mexico’s “unfair practices act.” Id. at 3-4. Plaintiff
asserts this Court has jurisdiction because “this action arises under federal and state law.” Id, at 1.
On April 15, 2026, United States Magistrate Judge Damian L. Martinez issued an Order
notifying Plaintiff:
It appears the Court does not have jurisdiction over this case because the Complaint
does not show that this case arises under federal law. See Davison v. Grant
Thornton LLP, 582 Fed.Appx. 773, 775 (10th Cir. 2014) (“The complaint must
identify the statutory or constitutional provision under which the claim arises, and
allege sufficient facts to show that the case is one arising under federal law”).
(quoting Martinez v. U.S. Olympic Committee, 802 F.2d 1275, 1280 (10th Cir.
1986)). The Complaint does not identify a statutory provision showing that this
case arises under federal law. The Civil Cover Sheet that Plaintiff filed with her
Complaint indicates that this case arises under 47 U.S.C. § 227, Restrictions on use
of telephone equipment. See Complaint at 6. The Civil Cover Sheet, however,
states that it “neither replace[s] nor supplement[s] the filing . . . of pleadings.”
Complaint at 6.
Order for Amended Complaint at 1, ECF No. 4. Judge Martinez ordered Plaintiff to file an
amended complaint which identifies the federal statutory provision under which this case arises
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and notified Plaintiff that failure to timely file an amended complaint may result in dismissal of
this case. See id. at 2-3. Plaintiff did not file an amended complaint by the May 6, 2026, deadline.
The Court concludes it does not have jurisdiction over this case because the Complaint
does not contain, and Plaintiff did not file an amended complaint containing, allegations to support
federal question jurisdiction. See Dutcher v. Matheson, 733 F.3d 980, 985 (10th Cir. 2013) (“Since
federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, we presume no jurisdiction exists absent an
adequate showing by the party invoking federal jurisdiction”).
The Court dismisses this case without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction and because
Plaintiff has not complied with Judge Martinez’s Order to file an amended complaint. See Fed. R.
Civ. P. 12(h)(3) (“If the court determines at any time that it lacks subject-matter jurisdiction, the
court must dismiss the action”); Brereton v. Bountiful City Corp., 434 F.3d 1213, 1218 (10th Cir.
2006) (“[D]ismissals for lack of jurisdiction should be without prejudice because the court, having
determined that it lacks jurisdiction over the action, is incapable of reaching a disposition on the
merits of the underlying claims.”) (emphasis in original); Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b) (“If the plaintiff
fails to prosecute or to comply with these rules or a court order, a defendant may move to dismiss
the action”); Gustafson v. Luke, 696 F. App’x 352, 354 (10th Cir. 2017) (“Although the language
of Rule 41(b) requires that the defendant file a motion to dismiss, the Rule has long been
interpreted to permit courts to dismiss actions sua sponte for a plaintiff's failure to prosecute or
comply with the rules of civil procedure or court's orders.”) (quoting Olsen v. Mapes, 333 F.3d
1199, 1204 n.3 (10th Cir. 2003)).
IT IS ORDERED that this case is DISMISSED without prejudice.
………………………………………….
MARGARET STRICKLAND
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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OCR transcription for search; preserved printed pages are authoritative

Case 1:26-cv-01150-MIS-DLM
Document 5 Filed 05/12/26 Page 1 of 3
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
AMANDA TRENBETH,
Plaintiff,
V.
No. 1:26-cv-01150-MIS-DLM
ALBERTSONS COMPANIES, INC.,
Defendant.
ORDER OF DISMISSAL
This case arises from Defendant's pharmacy's alleged unauthorized disclosure of Plaintiff's private medical information to a third party via text messages. See Compl., ECF No. 1. Plaintiff asserts state-law claims for invasion of privacy, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and pursuant to New Mexico's "unfair practices act." Id. at 3-4. Plaintiff asserts this Court has jurisdiction because "this action arises under federal and state law." Id, at 1.
On April 15, 2026, United States Magistrate Judge Damian L. Martinez issued an Order notifying Plaintiff:
It appears the Court does not have jurisdiction over this case because the Complaint does not show that this case arises under federal law. See Davison v. Grant Thornton LLP, 582 Fed.Appx. 773, 775 (10th Cir. 2014) ("The complaint must identify the statutory or constitutional provision under which the claim arises, and allege sufficient facts to show that the case is one arising under federal law"). (quoting Martinez v. U.S. Olympic Committee, 802 F.2d 1275, 1280 (10th Cir. 1986)). The Complaint does not identify a statutory provision showing that this case arises under federal law. The Civil Cover Sheet that Plaintiff filed with her Complaint indicates that this case arises under 47 U.S.C. § 227, Restrictions on use of telephone equipment. See Complaint at 6. The Civil Cover Sheet, however, states that it "neither replace[s] nor supplement[s] the filing ... of pleadings." Complaint at 6.
Order for Amended Complaint at 1, ECF No. 4. Judge Martinez ordered Plaintiff to file an amended complaint which identifies the federal statutory provision under which this case arises
AUTHENTICATED U.S. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION GPO

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and notified Plaintiff that failure to timely file an amended complaint may result in dismissal of
this case. See id. at 2-3. Plaintiff did not file an amended complaint by the May 6, 2026, deadline.
The Court concludes it does not have jurisdiction over this case because the Complaint
does not contain, and Plaintiff did not file an amended complaint containing, allegations to support
federal question jurisdiction. See Dutcher v. Matheson, 733 F.3d 980, 985 (10th Cir. 2013) (“Since
federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, we presume no jurisdiction exists absent an
adequate showing by the party invoking federal jurisdiction”).
The Court dismisses this case without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction and because
Plaintiff has not complied with Judge Martinez’s Order to file an amended complaint. See Fed. R.
Civ. P. 12(h)(3) (“If the court determines at any time that it lacks subject-matter jurisdiction, the
court must dismiss the action”); Brereton v. Bountiful City Corp., 434 F.3d 1213, 1218 (10th Cir.
2006) (“[D]ismissals for lack of jurisdiction should be without prejudice because the court, having
determined that it lacks jurisdiction over the action, is incapable of reaching a disposition on the
merits of the underlying claims.”) (emphasis in original); Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b) (“If the plaintiff
fails to prosecute or to comply with these rules or a court order, a defendant may move to dismiss
the action”); Gustafson v. Luke, 696 F. App’x 352, 354 (10th Cir. 2017) (“Although the language
of Rule 41(b) requires that the defendant file a motion to dismiss, the Rule has long been
interpreted to permit courts to dismiss actions sua sponte for a plaintiff's failure to prosecute or
comply with the rules of civil procedure or court's orders.”) (quoting Olsen v. Mapes, 333 F.3d
1199, 1204 n.3 (10th Cir. 2003)).
IT IS ORDERED that this case is DISMISSED without prejudice.
………………………………………….
MARGARET STRICKLAND
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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