Seager v. State of New Mexico et al

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
ALLAN SEAGER,
Plaintiff,
vs. No. 24-cv-0194-SMD-KK
STATE OF NEW MEXICO, et al,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court following Plaintiff Allan Seager’s failure to amend his 42
U.S.C. § 1983 complaint to state a plausible claim, as directed. Plaintiff is incarcerated, pro se,
and proceeding in forma pauperis. The original Complaint seeks money damages based on
Plaintiff’s state conviction for criminal sexual penetration (“CSP”) of a child under thirteen (13).
Doc. 5 (“Compl.”). The detailed factual allegations are set forth in the Memorandum Opinion and
Order entered November 24, 2025, which is incorporated here by reference. Doc. 32 (“Screening
Ruling”). Plaintiff’s theory is that he was framed for CSP because he testified against a police
officer. Compl. at 3, 5. The original Complaint alleges police arrested him six times after he
testified in 2009; a “civilian impersonating a police officer” searched his home; and police planted
a laptop in his room. Id. The original Complaint also seeks money damages on the ground that
State Judge Reynolds failed to provide a fair trial in the CSP case. Id. at 5. Construed liberally,
the original Complaint raises 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims for malicious prosecution, false arrest, and
illegal search and seizure. Id. at 3, 5. Plaintiff seeks $20 million in damages from three Defendants:
(1) the State of New Mexico; (2) the Moriarty Police Department; and (3) Judge Reynolds. Id. at
2-3, 7.
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By a ruling entered November 24, 2025, the Court conducted a sua sponte review of the
original Complaint and determined it fails to state a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against any Defendant.
See Doc. 32 (Screening Ruling); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e) (courts must sua sponte review in
forma pauperis complaints to determine whether they state a cognizable claim). The Screening
Ruling explains that none of the Defendants are subject to suit under § 1983. See Doc. 32 at 5
(explaining that § 1983 plaintiffs cannot successfully sue the State; a police department; or a state
judge). The Screening Ruling alternatively explains the alleged facts are insufficient to
demonstrate a constitutional violation, and the claims are time-barred. Id. at 6-9.
For each alternative reason, the Court dismissed the original Complaint without prejudice.
Consistent with Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1110 (10th Cir. 1991), Plaintiff was permitted to
amend his claims within 30 days of entry of the Screening Ruling. The Screening Ruling warns
that the failure to timely amend may result in dismissal with or without prejudice. See Doc. 32 at
10. The deadline to file an amended complaint expired no later than December 26, 2025. Plaintiff
did not comply; show cause for such failure; or otherwise respond to the Screening Ruling. The
Court will therefore dismiss this case for failure to state a cognizable claim under 28 U.S.C. §
1915(e) and Rule 12(b)(6). The Court has the option to dismiss with or without prejudice under
those authorities. See, e.g., Novotny v. OSL Retail Servs. Corp., 2023 WL 3914017, at *1 (10th
Cir. June 9, 2023) (affirming dismissal with prejudice where the district court rejected a “claim but
gave [plaintiff] leave to amend, cautioning that failure to allege a plausible claim would result in a
dismissal”). The Court will enter the dismissal without prejudice in this case, since the Defendants
have not appeared and will not be prejudiced by such ruling.
IT IS ORDERED that this case, including each claim in Plaintiff’s Amended Prisoner Civil
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Rights Complaint (Doc. 5), is DISMISSED without prejudice for failure to state a cognizable
claim under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e) and Rule 12(b)(6); and the Court will enter a separate judgment
closing the civil case.
_________________________________
HON. SARAH M. DAVENPORT
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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