Kuykendall v. New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
BRANDON K. KUYKENDALL,
Plaintiff,
v. Civ. No. 2:25-608 JB/GJF
NEW MEXICO JUDICIAL STANDARDS
COMMISSION,
Defendant.
PROPOSED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDED DISPOSITION
ON DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS1
This case arises from a June 4, 2020 determination by Defendant New Mexico Judicial
Standards Commission (“Defendant” or “the Commission”) that no action be taken on a complaint
that Plaintiff brought against then-New Mexico State District Judge Kea W. Riggs. See Compl.,
Dkt. No. 1-1. Judge Riggs had presided for a time over a domestic custody proceeding brought by
Mr. Kuykendall in New Mexico State Court, Brandon K Kuykendall v. Kristen Weger, D-504-
DM-200500548 (“State Custody Case”). See Compl. 2, Dkt. No. 1-1.
On July 2, 2025, Defendant filed in the present case a Motion to Dismiss for Failure to
State a Claim Upon Which Relief Can Be Granted (Dkt. No. 4). Plaintiff, who is proceeding pro
se, did not file a timely response to the motion, and Defendant filed a notice of completion of
briefing on August 5, 2025 (Dkt. No. 10). More than four months later, on December 19, 2025,
Plaintiff filed the following motions: (i) Motion Confirming Preservation of Jury Trial Right
Following Transfer to Federal Jurisdiction (Dkt. No. 12) (“Motion for Jury Trial”); (ii) Motion
for Evidentiary Hearing on Jurisdictional Record (Dkt. No. 13) (“Motion for Evidentiary
1 The undersigned files this Proposed Findings and Recommended Disposition (“PFRD”) pursuant to the presiding
judge’s Order of Reference on August 8, 2025. Order, Dkt. No. 11.
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 1 of 13

2
Hearing”); (iii) Motion to Stay and Enjoin State Proceedings and Enforcement Pending
Jurisdictional Determination (Dkt. No. 14) (“Motion to Stay”); and (iv) Motion for Judicial Notice
of Official State Court Records and Absence of Jurisdictional Transcript (Dkt. No. 15) (“Motion
for Judicial Notice”). On December 22, 2025, Plaintiff belatedly filed a response to the motion to
dismiss (Dkt. No. 16). Defendant thereafter filed a reply (Dkt. No. 18) and an amended notice of
completion of briefing (Dkt. No. 19). Without leave of the Court, Plaintiff filed a sur-reply (Dkt.
No. 20) in opposition to the motion to dismiss on January 23, 2026. Defendant did not file
responses to Plaintiff’s motions and the deadlines for submitting any have passed. This matter is
therefore ready for decision on all pending motions.
Having considered the motion to dismiss, the briefs in support and opposition, Plaintiff’s
motions, the complaint, and relevant law, the Court recommends that the motion to dismiss be
granted. The Court further recommends that Plaintiff’s Motion for Judicial Notice (Dkt. No. 15)
be granted only to the limited extent the Court considers the state court record in ruling on the
motion to dismiss, but it should otherwise be denied. Finally, the undersigned recommends that
Plaintiff’s Motion for Jury Trial (Dkt. No. 12), Motion for Evidentiary Hearing (Dkt. No. 13), and
Motion to Stay (Dkt. No. 14) be denied as moot.
I. BACKGROUND2
Beginning in 2005, Plaintiff was a petitioner in a paternity, custody and child support case
in state court in Chaves County, New Mexico. See Kuykendall v. Weger, D-504-DM-200500548,
2 Plaintiff attached to his complaint a portion of the docket sheet of the official court record from the State Custody
Case. See Ex. A, Dkt. No. 1-1 at 6 of 7. He also attached the June 4, 2020 letter from the Commission regarding its
consideration of his complaint to the Commission. See Ex. B, Dkt. No. 1-1 at 7 of 7. A court may consider on a Rule
12(b)(6) motion information that is subject to proper judicial notice or documents incorporated into the complaint by
reference and central to the plaintiff’s claim, unless their authenticity is questioned. See Tellabs, Inc. v. Makor Issues
& Rights, Ltd., 551 U.S. 308, 322 (2007); Pace v. Swerdlow, 519 F.3d 1067, 1072 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting Utah
Gospel Mission v. Salt Lake City Corp., 425 F.3d 1249, 1253-54 (10th Cir. 2005)). Accordingly, the following factual
allegations are taken from Plaintiff’s complaint, the exhibits attached thereto, and the state court record in Kuykendall
v. Weger, D-504-DM-200500548.
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 2 of 13

3
New Mexico Courts Case Lookup, https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov/caselookup/app. On July 8,
2015, then-state District Judge Kea W. Riggs presided over the case and entered an Order to Show
Cause requiring Mr. Kuykendall to attend an August 17, 2015 hearing. See id.; Ex. A, Dkt. No. 1-
1 at 6 of 7. Service on Mr. Kuykendall for the hearing did not occur. See id.; Compl. ¶ 4, Dkt. No.
1-1. Judge Riggs held the August 17, 2015 hearing, despite Mr. Kuykendall not being present. See
Ex. A, Dkt. No. 1-1 at 6 of 7; Compl. ¶ 5, Dkt. No. 1-1. Afterwards, she entered an order to
withhold his income. See Ex. A, Dkt. No. 1-1 at 6 of 7; Compl. ¶ 5, Dkt. No. 1-1.
Litigation continued in the case, including significant motion practice by Mr. Kuykendall,
and the case was reassigned to another judge on November 9, 2016. See Kuykendall, D-504-DM-
200500548. Judgment was entered in the case on November 18, 2019. Id. Mr. Kuykendall appealed
both the judgment and an order holding him in civil contempt for failing to comply with the
judgment giving the mother permanent legal and physical custody of their child and ordering him
to pay both child support arrearages and monthly child support. Kuykendall v. Weger, No. A-1-
CA-38705, 2021 WL 4077547, at *1 (N.M. Ct. App. Sept. 8, 2021) (unpublished). The New
Mexico Court of Appeals dismissed his appeal. Id. The New Mexico Supreme Court denied
certiorari. See Kuykendall v. Weger, S-1-SC-39035, 547 P.3d 698 (N.M. Nov. 24, 2021).
Meanwhile, in 2018, Plaintiff filed a complaint with the Commission “regarding extrinsic
fraud and civil rights violations committed by Kea W. Riggs in her ‘official capacity’” arising out
of her finding him in contempt of Court and awarding child support against him during an ex parte
hearing, even though he had not been properly served with the order to show cause. See Compl.
¶¶ 3-5, Dkt. No. 1-1. While Plaintiff’s complaint was under review, Judge Riggs was appointed to
the federal bench. See id. ¶ 7. By letter dated June 4, 2020, the Chair of the Commission informed
Plaintiff that it decided that no action should be taken on the complaint, and the inquiry would be
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 3 of 13

4
closed. Ex. B, Dkt. No. 1-1 at 7 of 7. In the letter, the Commission explained the reasons for its
final decision: his allegations concerned issues that can only be addressed by a court; there were
insufficient facts or evidence to establish a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct; and/or
allegations concerned someone not subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction, which is limited to
currently sitting justices or judges on one of the state courts. See id.
Nearly five years later, on May 13, 2025, Plaintiff filed suit against the Commission in
state court.3 Plaintiff asserts the following claims against the Commission: obstruction of justice,
extrinsic fraud and fraud upon the court, violations of due process, violation of the Thirteenth
Amendment and crimes against humanity, and violations of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act
(“NMCRA”), N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 41-4A-1 to -13 (2021). Compl. ¶¶ 18-23, Dkt. No. 1-1.
Following removal to this Court, Defendant moved to dismiss all claims based on judicial
or quasi-judicial immunity, failure to state a plausible claim for relief, and failure to file the claims
within the respective statute of limitations period. See Def.’s Mot. 3-11, Dkt. No. 4. In Plaintiff’s
belated response, he argues that judicial immunity and finality do not apply where acts were taken
without valid jurisdiction. Pl.’s Resp. 2-3, Dkt. No. 16. He contends he is seeking prospective and
declaratory relief to halt enforcement of void acts, not to relitigate the custody proceedings, and
that “the undisputed record shows lack of service and absence of a jurisdictional hearing record.”
Id. at 3. Plaintiff asserts that the absence of a transcript precludes dismissal, or alternatively,
warrants an evidentiary hearing on the issue of jurisdiction. Id. As to Defendant’s statute of
limitations arguments, Plaintiff contends they “fail where enforcement continues and where the
absence of a hearing record and a sua sponte closure blocked meaningful appellate review.” Id.
3 This case is not the first federal case Plaintiff filed arising from the State Custody Case. He sued Judge Riggs and
the New Mexico Human Services Department Child Support Enforcement Division, among numerous others, on
January 10, 2018. See Kuykendall v. Bell, et al., 18cv35 JAP-CG, Compl. (Dkt. No. 1) (D.N.M.). The Honorable James
A. Parker dismissed the case without prejudice on February 1, 2018. Id., Mem. Op. and Order (Dkt. No. 5).
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 4 of 13

5
Defendant filed a reply arguing that the response was untimely, and that Plaintiff’s claims lack
merit. Reply, Dkt. No. 18. Plaintiff filed a sur-reply, reasserting that he is timely challenging
Defendant’s continuing failure to act, resulting in ongoing harm, and that judicial immunity does
not shield an oversight body’s failure to act. Pl.’s Sur-Reply 1-2, Dkt. No. 20.
Plaintiff also filed four separate motions. First, Plaintiff seeks an order confirming he
preserved his right to a jury trial. Pl.’s Mot. for Jury Tr., Dkt. No. 12. Second, Plaintiff requests an
evidentiary hearing on the issue of jurisdiction, to wit, whether the August 17, 2015 hearing
conferred jurisdiction in the underlying state case. Pl.’s Mot. for Evidentiary Hr’g., Dkt. No. 13.
Third, Plaintiff asks for a “temporary stay and injunction of state court enforcement actions derived
from void proceedings.” Pl.’s Mot. to Stay, Dkt. No. 14. According to Plaintiff, because the August
17, 2015 hearing occurred without service on him and without a preserved record of what occurred
at the hearing, all orders and enforcement actions occurring thereafter are void, and the state court
did not have personal or subject matter jurisdiction over him. Id. Finally, Plaintiff moves the Court
to take judicial notice of the official docket and record entries in the State Custody Case. See Pl.’s
Judicial Notice Mot., Dkt. No. 15.
II. DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS
A. Standard
When reviewing a plaintiff’s complaint under Rule 12(b)(6), the court must accept all well-
pleaded allegations as true and construe them in a light most favorable to the plaintiff. Smith v.
United States, 561 F.3d 1090, 1098 (10th Cir. 2009). A court, however, will not accept “a legal
conclusion couched as a factual allegation,” Papasan v. Allain, 478 U.S. 265, 286 (1986), or a
formulaic recitation of the elements devoid of facts, Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009).
To survive a motion to dismiss, the plaintiff must allege facts stating a claim to relief that is
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 5 of 13

6
plausible on its face. Id. Plausibility means more than a “sheer possibility.” Id. A pro se litigant’s
pleadings are construed liberally using a less stringent standard than pleadings drafted by
attorneys. Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1110 (10th Cir. 1991). While a court may make
allowances for the pro se plaintiff’s failure to cite proper legal authority, his misunderstanding of
legal theories, or his unfamiliarity with pleading requirements, a court will not act as advocate for
the pro se litigant. Id. A court should dismiss a claim with prejudice when it finds that it would be
futile to allow the plaintiff to amend that claim. Seale v. Peacock, 32 F.4th 1011, 1027 (10th Cir.
2022).
B. Analysis4
Article 6, Section 32, of the New Mexico Constitution created the New Mexico Judicial
Standards Commission. N.M. Const. Art. 6, § 32. The Commission has the authority to discipline
or remove any justice, judge, or magistrate of any court “for willful misconduct in office, persistent
failure or inability to perform a judge's duties, or habitual intemperance, or may be retired for
disability seriously interfering with the performance of the justice's, judge's or magistrate's duties
that is, or is likely to become, of a permanent character.” Id. The Commission investigates judicial
complaints and may appoint special masters to conduct evidentiary hearings, the reports of which
are considered by the Commission. See id.; N.M. Stat. Ann. § 34-10-2.1(B)(1)-(3). “Its purpose is
to oversee and investigate the performance, conduct and fitness of members of the judiciary.” State
ex rel. New Mexico Judicial Standards Com’n v. Espinosa, 2003-NMSC-017, ¶ 2, 134 N.M. 59
4 As an initial matter, the failure of a party to file a response within the prescribed time for doing so constitutes consent
to grant the motion. D.N.M. Local R. Civ. P. 7.1(b). The filing of a surreply requires leave of Court. D.N.M. Local R.
Civ. P. 7.4(b). In this case, neither party filed a timely response to the motions. Defendant did not move to strike the
surreply. Based on the record, the Court recommends not deeming the lack of a timely response to constitute consent
to grant the motions, as the parties clearly oppose the respective motions. Moreover, consideration of the untimely
briefs and the surreply will not cause prejudice to Defendant, as the arguments therein are not persuasive. The Court
thus recommends considering, but rejecting on the merits, the arguments raised in Plaintiff’s untimely response and
surreply.
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 6 of 13

7
(internal quotation omitted). The Commission has authority to recommend discipline or removal,
but the New Mexico Supreme Court independently reviews the proceedings de novo to determine
whether to accept the Commission’s recommendation. See In the Matter of Rodella, 2008-NMSC-
050, ¶ 8, 144 N.M. 617; N.M. Stat. Ann. § 34-10-2.1(B)(4).
1. Federal claims brought under Section 1983 should be dismissed with
prejudice.
In his jurisdictional statement, Plaintiff cites 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which the Court construes
as the vehicle by which Plaintiff brings his federal claims. Plaintiff seeks both damages and
injunctive relief in his complaint. See Compl. 5, Dkt. No. 1-1. Defendant argues that Plaintiff
cannot state a § 1983 claim because he has not sued an individual state actor, as § 1983 requires.
“To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege the violation of a right secured by
the Constitution and laws of the United States, and must show that the alleged deprivation was
committed by a person acting under color of state law.” West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). A
plaintiff thus must assert a § 1983 cause of action against a “person.” 42 U.S.C. § 1983;
McLaughlin v. Bd. of Trustees, 215 F.3d 1168, 1172 (10th Cir. 2000). Plaintiff only named as a
defendant in this case the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission, a state commission created
within the Judicial Department whose recommendations are considered by the New Mexico
Supreme Court. See N.M. Const. Art. 6, § 32; N.M. Stat. Ann. § 34-10-2.1(B)(4). It is thus an arm
of the state and not a “person” under § 1983. See Will v. Michigan Dep’t. of State Police, 491 U.S.
58, 71 (1989) (“neither a State nor its officials acting in their official capacities are ‘persons' under
§ 1983”); McLaughlin, 215 F.3d at 1172 (holding that, where plaintiff sued only Board rather than
individual trustees under § 1983, plaintiff failed to state a claim against a person covered by section
1983). Consequently, the Court recommends that Plaintiff’s due process and Thirteenth
Amendment claims brought under § 1983 be dismissed for failure to state a claim. To the extent
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 7 of 13

8
his claims for obstruction of justice and crimes against humanity are brought under § 1983, they
too should be dismissed.
Claims under § 1983 may be cognizable when brought against an individual state official
in either a personal or official capacity. See Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 31 (1991) (“We hold that
state officials, sued in their individual capacities, are ‘persons’ within the meaning of § 1983.”);
McLaughlin, 215 F.3d 1168 at 1172 n.2 (noting that “a state official in his or her official capacity,
when sued for [prospective] injunctive relief, would be a person under § 1983 because official-
capacity actions for prospective relief are not treated as actions against the State”) (internal
quotation marks omitted). Defendant nevertheless argues that the dismissal of the claims should
be with prejudice based on futility of amendment. The Court agrees.
In New Mexico, Section 1983 claims have a three-year statute of limitations. Varnell v.
Dora Consol. Sch. Dist., 756 F.3d 1208, 1212 (10th Cir. 2014). Plaintiff’s alleged claims against
the Commission arose on June 4, 2020, when it decided not to act on his complaint. Plaintiff did
not file his § 1983 claims until May 13, 2025, nearly five years after the cause of action arose.
Plaintiff argues that he alleges a continuing failure by Defendant, resulting in ongoing collateral
harm. Pl.’s Surreply 2, Dkt. No. 20. He cites no authority in support of his argument. Plaintiff’s
allegations against the Commission stem from its final decision on his complaint. Plaintiff has not
alleged sufficient ongoing violations by the Commission that would restart the limitations period.
Nor has he asserted any valid grounds to toll the statute of limitations. Consequently, any § 1983
claim he attempted to assert against an individual member of the Commission arising from the
events alleged in the complaint would be time-barred. The Court therefore recommends that
Plaintiff’s § 1983 claims be dismissed with prejudice. Given this recommendation, the Court need
not reach the alternative grounds Defendant raised for dismissing Plaintiff’s § 1983 claims.
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 8 of 13

9
2. Obstruction of justice claim should be dismissed with prejudice.
In his claim for “Obstruction of Justice,” Plaintiff alleges that the Commission ignored
conclusive evidence in failing to recommend removal of Judge Riggs and covered up criminal
behavior. Am. Compl. ¶ 18, Dkt. No. 1-1. Defendant argues that there is no civil claim for
obstruction of justice, so this claim should be dismissed under Rule 12(b)(6). Plaintiff, in response,
did not specifically address this argument or provide any authority in support of this claim.
Federal statutes outlawing obstruction of justice do not provide a private right of action.
See Sullivan v. Univ. of Kansas Hospital Authority, 844 F. App’x 43, 51 (10th Cir. Jan. 29, 2021)
(unpublished). Plaintiff has not cited any statute or other authority to indicate that New Mexico
recognizes a civil claim for obstruction of justice. Plaintiff thus failed to state a plausible claim
under either federal or state law for obstruction of justice. The Court thus recommends that this
claim be dismissed with prejudice. In light of this recommendation, the Court need not consider
the alternative reasons Defendant gave for dismissing this claim.
3. Claims for extrinsic fraud and fraud upon the Court should be
dismissed with prejudice.
According to Defendant, Plaintiff fails to meet the heightened pleading standard for fraud
and the claims are time-barred, so his fraud claims should be dismissed with prejudice. Plaintiff
also did not address this argument in either his response or surreply.
Under New Mexico law, an actionable fraud requires the plaintiff to establish the following
elements: (1) a misrepresentation of a fact, (2) either known to be untrue by the maker or recklessly
made, (3) an intent to deceive and to induce reliance upon the misrepresentation, and (4)
detrimental reliance on the misrepresentation. See Wilde v. Westland Dev. Co., Inc., 2010-NMCA-
085, ¶50, 148 N.M. 627 (quoting Unser v. Unser, 86 N.M. 648, 653-54, 526 P.2d 790, 795-96
(1974)); Williams v. Stewart, 2005-NMCA-061, ¶ 34, 137 N.M. 420. “In alleging fraud or mistake,
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 9 of 13

10
a party must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake.” Fed. R. Civ.
P. 9(b). Where a party fails to plead fraud with particularity, dismissal is appropriate. See Saylor
v. Valles, 2003-NMCA-037, ¶ 22, 133 N.M. 432.
Plaintiff alleges the following facts in support of his fraud claim:
The Defendants claim that Kea W. Riggs followed the rule of law. However, she
held an ex-parte hearing in which the Plaintiff was not invited to, destroyed the
Plaintiff financially for life, terminated the Plaintiff’s relationship with his child
due to her hatred and discrimination against single father[]s then carried on as if
Kuykendall was allowed to present his defense.
Compl. ¶ 19, Dkt. No. 1-1. Plaintiff has not adequately pled that Defendant made a false statement
or had knowledge of the falsity of its statement or recklessly made the statement. Nor has Plaintiff
alleged that Defendant harbored an intent to deceive and to induce reliance on the representation
or that Plaintiff relied on the statement to his detriment. Plaintiff failed to satisfy either Rule
12(b)(6) or Rule 9(b), and thus, the Court recommends that his fraud claim be dismissed.
Defendant additionally argues that dismissal of this claim should be with prejudice because
it is time-barred. The Court again agrees. In New Mexico, fraud claims are subject to a four-year
statute of limitations. See N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-4. By letter dated June 4, 2020, the Commission
informed Plaintiff that there were insufficient facts or evidence to establish a violation of the Code
of Judicial Conduct. Ex. B, Dkt. No. 1-1 at 7 of 7. Plaintiff filed his complaint on May 13, 2025,
more than four years after the alleged fraud arose. Plaintiff’s allegations do not show a continuing
violation or other grounds to toll the statute of limitations. Consequently, the Court recommends
dismissing Plaintiff’s fraud claim with prejudice. The Court need not reach the alternative asserted
grounds for dismissing this claim.
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 10 of 13

11
4. Crimes against humanity claim should be dismissed with prejudice.
Under his heading “For Violations of Rights Under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution
& CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY,” Plaintiff asserts that “[d]enying someone the right to Due
Process then confiscating every penny earned so the person can no longer afford to eat or gather
meals in the wild is a crime against humanity.” Compl. ¶ 21, Dkt. No. 1-1. It is unclear whether
Plaintiff is attempting to assert a “crimes against humanity” claim apart from his due process and
Thirteenth Amendment claims. To the extent he is, Defendant argues that Plaintiff has not
identified any civil claim for crimes against humanity cognizable under New Mexico law. Plaintiff
failed to address this argument or to cite any authority in support of such a claim either in his
response or surreply. Regardless whether there is a valid federal or state civil claim against
perpetrators of crimes against humanity, the facts of the Complaint here most assuredly do not
plausibly state any such claim against the Commission. The Court recommends dismissal of this
claim with prejudice.
5. NMCRA claim should be dismissed with prejudice.
Plaintiff asserts a claim for violations of the NMCRA based on “continued involuntary
servitude and criminal confiscations occurring against the Plaintiff due to the Defendant
obstructing justice for profit.” Compl. ¶ 23, Dkt. No. 1-1. In addition to contending judicial
immunity bars this claim, Defendant argues that Plaintiff’s NMCRA claim must be dismissed
because it is time-barred and did not arise after the date set in the NMCRA for valid prospective
claims.
The NMCRA “authorizes a person to sue a public body for deprivations of the rights,
privileges, and immunities guaranteed by the Bill of Rights in Article II, Sections 17 and 18 of the
New Mexico Constitution.” Bolen v. New Mexico Racing Com’n, 2025-NMSC-034, ¶ 1, 578 P.3d
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 11 of 13

12
1121. “Claims arising solely from acts or omissions that occurred prior to July 1, 2021 may not be
brought pursuant to the New Mexico Civil Rights Act.” N.M. Stat. Ann. § 41-4A-12. Here,
Plaintiff’s claims against the Commission arose, at the latest, on June 4, 2020, well shy of July 1,
2021. The Court thus recommends that Plaintiff’s NMCRA claim be dismissed with prejudice. Cf.
Tucker v. Univ. of New Mexico Bd. of Regents, 618 F.Supp.3d 1201, 1211 (D.N.M. 2022)
(dismissing NMCRA claim because it arose from events occurring from August 2017 to August
2019, well before the requisite July 1, 2021 date set forth in the NMCRA, which has no retroactive
application). Given this determination, the Court need not consider Defendant’s others reasons for
dismissal.
III. PLAINTIFF’S MOTIONS
In his Motion for Judicial Notice (Dkt. No. 15), Plaintiff requests the Court take judicial
notice of the official court records in the underlying State Custody Case. As previously discussed,
the Court, when ruling on the motion to dismiss, took judicial notice of the state court docket and
proceedings because Plaintiff attached the docket sheet to his complaint and discussed the contents
in the complaint. Plaintiff, however, requests judicial notice that the state record establishes the
lack of personal jurisdiction over Plaintiff; the “absence of any tape, log, transcript, or certified
record for August 17, 2015[,] establishes that the state court cannot prove that a jurisdiction-
conferring hearing occurred;” and that “jurisdictional defects” occurred in the case. Id. at 1-2.
Judicial notice is not appropriate as to the legal conclusions Plaintiff asks the Court to draw.
Accordingly, the Court recommends granting Plaintiff’s motion for judicial notice to the limited
extent the Court considered the state court record in ruling on the motion to dismiss but otherwise
denying the motion.
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 12 of 13

13
Because the Court recommends that Defendant’s motion to dismiss be granted, the Court
recommends denying as moot Plaintiff’s Motion for Jury Trial, Motion for Evidentiary Hearing,
and Motion for Stay.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the undersigned RECOMMENDS that the presiding judge
GRANT Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim Upon Which Relief Can Be
Granted (Dkt. No. 4) and DISMISS THE CASE WITH PREJUDICE. The undersigned
additionally RECOMMENDS that the presiding judge GRANT IN PART Plaintiff’s Motion for
Judicial Notice of Official State Court Records and Absence of Jurisdictional Transcript (Dkt. No.
15) only to the limited extent the Court considered the state court record in ruling on the motion
to dismiss but otherwise should DENY the motion. Finally, the undersigned RECOMMENDS
the Court DENY AS MOOT Plaintiff’s Motion Confirming Preservation of Jury Trial Right
Following Transfer to Federal Jurisdiction (Dkt. No. 12), Motion for Evidentiary Hearing on
Jurisdictional Record (Dkt. No. 13); and Motion to Stay and Enjoin State Proceedings and
Enforcement Pending Jurisdictional Determination (Dkt. No. 14).
________________________________________
THE HONORABLE GREGORY J. FOURATT
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
THE PARTIES ARE NOTIFIED THAT WITHIN 14 DAYS OF SERVICE of a copy
of these Proposed Findings and Recommended Disposition they may file written objections
with the Clerk of the District Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). A party must file
any objections with the Clerk of the District Court within the fourteen-day period if
that party wants to have appellate review of the proposed findings and recommended
disposition. If no objections are filed, no appellate review will be allowed.
Case 2:25-cv-00608-JB-GJF Document 21 Filed 02/09/26 Page 13 of 13