DeWitt v. Trinity Logistics, Inc.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH DIVISION
WILLIAM MICHAEL DEWITT, 	§
§
Plaintiff, 	§
§
v. 	§ 	Civil Action No. 4:25-cv-00560-O-BP
§
TRINITY LOGISTICS, INC., et. al., 	§
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Defendants. 	§
ORDER ACCEPTING FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION
OF THE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
After reviewing all relevant matters of record in this case, including the Findings,
Conclusions, and Recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge (ECF No. 35) and
Plaintiff’s objections thereto (ECF No. 36), in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), the
undersigned Chief United States District Judge believes that the Findings and Conclusions of the
Magistrate Judge are correct, and they are accepted as the Findings and Conclusions of the Court.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Defendant Jennifer Braun’s Motion to Dismiss for Lack
of Personal Jurisdiction is DENIED, and Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a
Claim is GRANTED. Specifically, Plaintiff William Michael DeWitt’s:
a. 	Title VII Retaliation claim against Defendants Jake Lafferty, Derek Wise, Ethan
Trexler, Megan Morgan, and Jennifer Braun is DISMISSED with prejudice.
b. 	Title VII Retaliation claim against Defendants Trinity Logistics, Inc. (“Trinity”)
and Burris Logistics, Inc. (“Burris”) is DISMISSED with leave to amend DeWitt’s
amended complaint to plead facts demonstrating timely compliance with the
relevant administrative procedures.
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c. 	Sarbanes-Oxley Whistleblower Retaliation claim against Trinity and Burris is
DISMISSED with leave to amend DeWitt’s amended complaint to plead facts
demonstrating timely compliance with the relevant administrative procedures.
d. 	Title VII claim for workplace harassment / hostile work environment against Jake
Lafferty, Derek Wise, and Ethan Trexler is DISMISSED with prejudice.
e. 	Title VII claim for workplace harassment / hostile work environment against
Trinity is DISMISSED with leave to amend DeWitt’s amended complaint to plead
facts demonstrating timely compliance with the relevant administrative procedures.
f. 	Claim under the Texas Penal Code for criminal harassment against Jake Lafferty,
Derek Wise, Ethan Trexler, Megan Morgan, and Jennifer Braun is DISMISSED
with prejudice.
g. 	Defamation claim against Trinity, Jake Lafferty, Derek Wise, Ethan Trexler,
Megan Morgan, and Jennifer Braun is DISMISSED with leave to amend DeWitt’s
amended complaint to plead facts demonstrating a timely defamation claim against
Trinity and Jennifer Braun.
h. 	Intentional infliction of emotional distress claim against Trinity, Burris, Jake
Lafferty, Derek Wise, Ethan Trexler, Megan Morgan, and Jennifer Braun is
DISMISSED with prejudice.
i. 	Trespass to chattels claim against Trinity, Jake Lafferty, Derek Wise, and Ethan
Trexler is DISMISSED with prejudice.
j. 	Negligence / conversion claim against Trinity is DISMISSED with prejudice.
k. 	Breach of contract claim against Trinity is DISMISSED with prejudice.
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l. 	Claim for “Failure to Enforce Internal Policies” against Trinity and Burris is
DISMISSED with prejudice.
As to the claims for which the Court granted Plaintiff leave to amend in paragraphs b., c.,
e., and g. above, Plaintiff may file a Second Amended Complaint on or before fourteen days from
the date of this Order. If he fails to do so, the Court will dismiss those claims by separate order.
SO ORDERED on this 28th day of January, 2026.
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