Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleHOLMES-HAMILTON et al v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv02927
Date Filed2021-11-05
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Trevor N. McFadden
PlaintiffDAJUAN HOLMES-HAMILTON
PlaintiffJEREMIAH WILLIAMS
PlaintiffWILLIAM COX
Case DescriptionDajuan Holmes-Hamilton, Jeremiah Williams, and William Cox submitted two FOIA requests to the FBI for records concerning the investigation of the deaths of Cynthia Ann Day and Nathaniel Edward Holmes in the Dominican Republic. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request. The agency denied the request under Exemption 7(A) (interference with ongoing investigation or proceeding). The requesters filed an administrative appeal. After hearing nothing further from the agency, the requesters filed suit.
Complaint issues: Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees, Failure to respond within statutory time limit

DefendantFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
Complaint attachment 7
Complaint attachment 8
Complaint attachment 9
Complaint attachment 10
Complaint attachment 11
Complaint attachment 12
Complaint attachment 13
Complaint attachment 14
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-03-191COMPLAINT against Federal Bureau of Investigation ( Filing fee $ 402 receipt number 0416-9171273.), filed by Dajuan Holmes-Hamilton, Jeremiah Williams, William Cox. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11, # 12 Exhibit 12, # 13 Civil Cover Sheet, # 14 Summons)(Szokoly, Nicholas) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 03/19/2021)
2021-03-192QC NOTICE: 1 Complaint, filed by William Cox, Dajuan Holmes-Hamilton, Jeremiah Williams was filed incompletely. **The following attachments or exhibits are missing - Summons. Summons were provided for only the named Defendant. If the defendant is either an agency of the United States or an officer or employee of the United States, you must serve both the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, as well as each defendant. To correct this problem, file the other Summons using the event Notice (Other) and link the Summons to 1 . (dg3s, Deputy Clerk) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 03/19/2021)
2021-03-193NOTICE by William Cox, Dajuan Holmes-Hamilton, Jeremiah Williams re 1 Complaint, U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(Szokoly, Nicholas) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 03/19/2021)
2021-03-224Summons Issued 60 days as to Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(dg3s, Deputy Clerk) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 03/22/2021)
2021-04-145SUMMONS Returned Executed by Dajuan Holmes-Hamilton, Jeremiah Williams, William Cox. Federal Bureau of Investigation served on 3/31/2021, answer due 6/1/2021. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Szokoly, Nicholas) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 04/14/2021)
2021-04-146SUMMONS Returned Executed by Dajuan Holmes-Hamilton, Jeremiah Williams, William Cox. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Szokoly, Nicholas) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 04/14/2021)
2021-04-147SUMMONS Returned Executed by Dajuan Holmes-Hamilton, Jeremiah Williams, William Cox. Federal Bureau of Investigation served on 3/30/2021, answer due 6/1/2021. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Szokoly, Nicholas) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 04/14/2021)
2021-06-018MOTION to Dismiss for Improper Venue by Federal Bureau of Investigation(Farber, Molissa) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 06/01/2021)
2021-06-149RESPONSE in Opposition re 8 MOTION to Dismiss for Improper Venue filed by William Cox, Dajuan Holmes-Hamilton, Jeremiah Williams.(Szokoly, Nicholas) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 06/14/2021)
2021-06-2110REPLY in Response re 8 MOTION to Dismiss for Improper Venue filed by Federal Bureau of Investigation.(Farber, Molissa) Modified on 6/22/2021 (dg3s, Deputy Clerk). [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 06/21/2021)
2021-11-0511MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge George Jarrod Hazel on 11/5/2021. (dg3s, Deputy Clerk) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 11/05/2021)
2021-11-0512ORDER granting 8 MOTION to Dismiss for Improper Venue; transferring this case to the USDC for the District of Columbia for all further proceedings. Signed by Judge George Jarrod Hazel on 11/5/2021. (dg3s, Deputy Clerk) [Transferred from Maryland on 11/10/2021.] (Entered: 11/05/2021)
2021-11-1013Case transferred in from District of Maryland; Case Number 8:21-cv-00702. Original file certified copy of transfer order and docket sheet received. (Entered: 11/10/2021)
2021-11-1014STANDING ORDER Establishing Procedures for Cases Before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. The parties are hereby ORDERED to read and comply with the directives in the attached standing order. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/10/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 11/10/2021)
2021-11-10MINUTE ORDER. The government shall respond to Plaintiffs' 1 Complaint on or before December 10, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/10/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 11/10/2021)
2021-11-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Government's response due by 12/10/2021. (hmc) (Entered: 11/12/2021)
2021-12-0215NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Marsha Wellknown Yee on behalf of FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Substituting for attorney Molissa Heather Farber (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 12/02/2021)
2021-12-0916ANSWER to 1 Complaint,, by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.(Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 12/09/2021)
2021-12-10MINUTE ORDER. Before the Court are a complaint and an answer in this FOIA case. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report proposing a schedule for proceeding in this matter. The schedule should address, among other things, the status of Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated number of documents responsive to Plaintiff's FOIA request, the anticipated date(s) for release of the documents requested by Plaintiff, whether a motion for an Open America stay is likely in this case, whether a Vaughn index will be required in this case, and a briefing schedule for dispositive motions, if required. The parties shall file the report on or before January 10, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 12/10/2021. (lctnm3) (Entered: 12/10/2021)
2021-12-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/10/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 12/10/2021)
2022-01-1017Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 01/10/2022)
2022-01-11MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another Joint Status Report on or before March 10, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/11/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 01/11/2022)
2022-01-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/10/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 01/11/2022)
2022-03-1018Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 03/10/2022)
2022-03-11MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the parties' 18 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties file another joint status report on or before May 19, 2022. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 3/11/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 03/11/2022)
2022-03-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/19/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 03/14/2022)
2022-05-1919Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 05/19/2022)
2022-05-19MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of the 19 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to submit another JSR by July 14, 2022. If the parties cannot reach resolution by that date, they shall also file a joint proposed briefing schedule for further proceedings in this matter. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 5/19/22. (lctnm2) (Entered: 05/19/2022)
2022-05-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/14/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 05/19/2022)
2022-07-1420STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 07/14/2022)
2022-07-1521STATUS REPORT by WILLIAM COX, DAJUAN HOLMES-HAMILTON, JEREMIAH WILLIAMS. (Szokoly, Nicholas) (Entered: 07/15/2022)
2022-07-15MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the Plaintiffs' 21 Status Report and the Defendant's 20 Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file another Joint Status Report on or before August 15, 2022. This Joint Status Report shall be the parties' final Report and shall include a proposed briefing schedule. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 7/15/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 07/15/2022)
2022-07-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/15/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 07/15/2022)
2022-08-1522STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Yee, Marsha) (Entered: 08/15/2022)
2022-08-1523STATUS REPORT by DAJUAN HOLMES-HAMILTON. (Szokoly, Nicholas) (Entered: 08/15/2022)
2022-08-16MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 22 and 23 Status Reports, the Court ORDERS the parties to file their Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment on or before January 26, 2023. The parties shall file any oppositions on or before March 2, 2023, any replies by April 6, 2023, and any further replies by May 4, 2023. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/16/2022. (lctnm3) (Entered: 08/16/2022)
2022-08-16Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross-Motions due by 1/26/2023. Oppositions due by 3/2/2023. Replies due by 4/6/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 08/16/2022)
2023-01-1924NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by John Bardo on behalf of FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Substituting for attorney Marsha W. Yee (Bardo, John) (Entered: 01/19/2023)
2023-01-2025Joint MOTION to Hold in Abeyance the summary judgment briefing schedule by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Bardo, John) (Entered: 01/20/2023)
2023-01-20MINUTE ORDER granting the 25 Joint Motion to Hold the Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule in abeyance. The parties shall file a Joint Status Report on or before February 27, 2023 informing the Court of the status of this case. If the parties resolve their dispute before that time, they shall promptly inform the Court. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/20/2023. (lctnm3) (Entered: 01/20/2023)
2023-01-20Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/27/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 01/20/2023)
2023-02-2626Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Bardo, John) (Entered: 02/26/2023)
2023-02-27MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 26 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file another Joint Status Report on or before May 1, 2023. That Report shall include a proposed briefing schedule, should one remain necessary. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 2/27/2023. (lctnm3) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
2023-02-28Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/1/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 02/28/2023)
2023-05-0127Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Bardo, John) (Entered: 05/01/2023)
2023-05-01MINUTE ORDER: After considering the 27 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file another Joint Status Report on or before May 31, 2023. That Report shall include a proposed briefing schedule, should one remain necessary. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 5/1/2023. (lctnm3) (Entered: 05/01/2023)
2023-05-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/31/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 05/01/2023)
2023-05-3128Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Bardo, John) (Entered: 05/31/2023)
2023-05-31MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the 28 Joint Status Report, the parties are hereby ORDERED to file another JSR on or before August 14, 2023. That JSR shall include a briefing schedule, should one remain necessary. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 5/31/2023. (lctnm3). (Entered: 05/31/2023)
2023-06-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/14/2023. (hmc) (Entered: 06/01/2023)
2023-08-1429Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Bardo, John) (Entered: 08/14/2023)
2023-08-22MINUTE ORDER: Having considered the 29 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS that the parties shall file another JSR on or before September 15, 2023, updating the Court on the status of their document production and review. The Court will also hold an in-person status conference on September 26, 2023, at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 2 before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 8/22/2023. (lctnm3) (Entered: 08/22/2023)
2023-08-23Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference set for 9/26/2023 at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 2- In Person before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (hmc) (Entered: 08/23/2023)
2023-09-1430Unopposed MOTION to Continue Sept. 26, 2023 Status Conference by WILLIAM COX, DAJUAN HOLMES-HAMILTON, JEREMIAH WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Szokoly, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/14/2023)
2023-09-14MINUTE ORDER: Having considered Plaintiff's 30 Unopposed Motion to Continue, the Court ORDERS that the motion is GRANTED. The status conference previously scheduled for September 26, 2023 at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 2 before Judge Trevor N. McFadden is rescheduled to September 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 2 before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 9/14/2023. (lctnm3) (Entered: 09/14/2023)
2023-09-1531Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Bardo, John) (Entered: 09/15/2023)
2023-09-25NOTICE of Rescheduled Hearing: The parties shall take notice that the Status Conference previously set for 9/26/2023 is RESCHEDULED to 9/27/2023 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 2- In Person before Judge Trevor N. McFadden. (hmc) (Entered: 09/25/2023)
2023-09-27Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Trevor N. McFadden: Status Conference held on 9/27/2023. Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment due by 11/27/2023. Plaintiff's Opposition and Cross Motion due by 12/29/2023. Defendant's Opposition to Plaintiff's Cross Motion and Reply in support of its Motion for Summary Judgment due by 1/29/2024. Plaintiff's Reply in support of its Cross Motion due by 2/20/2024. (Court Reporter: Lisa Edwards.) (hmc) (Entered: 09/27/2023)
2023-10-0432TRANSCRIPT OF STATUS CONFERENCE before Judge Trevor N. McFadden held on September 27, 2023; Page Numbers: 1-11. Date of Issuance: October 4, 2023. Court Reporter/Transcriber Lisa Edwards. Telephone number (202) 354-3269. Transcripts may be ordered by submitting the Transcript Order Form For the first 90 days after this filing date, the transcript may be viewed at the courthouse at a public terminal or purchased from the court reporter referenced above. After 90 days, the transcript may be accessed via PACER. Other transcript formats, (multi-page, condensed, CD or ASCII) may be purchased from the court reporter. NOTICE RE REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have twenty-one days to file with the court and the court reporter any request to redact personal identifiers from this transcript. If no such requests are filed, the transcript will be made available to the public via PACER without redaction after 90 days. The policy, which includes the five personal identifiers specifically covered, is located on our website at www.dcd.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 10/25/2023. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 11/4/2023. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 1/2/2024.(Edwards, Lisa) (Entered: 10/04/2023)
2023-11-1533Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to brief summary judgment by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Bardo, John) (Entered: 11/15/2023)
2023-11-16MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that Defendant's 33 Motion for Extension of Time is GRANTED. Any motion for summary judgment shall be filed on or before December 4, 2023. Any Opposition or Cross-Motion shall be filed on or before January 5, 2024. Defendant's Reply and Opposition to any Cross-Motion shall be filed on or before February 5, 2024. And Plaintiff's Reply in support of any Cross-Motion shall be filed on or before February 27, 2024. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 11/16/2023. (lctnm3 (Entered: 11/16/2023)
2023-12-0434MOTION for Summary Judgment by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Statement of Facts, # 3 Declaration Declaration of Michael Seidel, # 4 Exhibit Declaration Exhibits, # 5 Text of Proposed Order)(Bardo, John) (Entered: 12/04/2023)
2024-01-0335Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Opp. to Def. MSJ and Pl. Cross MSJ, Def. Reply and Opposition by WILLIAM COX, DAJUAN HOLMES-HAMILTON, JEREMIAH WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Szokoly, Nicholas) (Entered: 01/03/2024)
2024-01-03MINUTE ORDER: The Court ORDERS that Plaintiffs' 35 Motion for Extension of Time is DENIED. Standing Order 9(A) requires parties to file any motion for extension of time at least four business days prior to the relevant deadline. Plaintiffs did not do so, nor did they explain why their noncompliance with that rule should be excused. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Trevor N. McFadden on 1/3/2024. (lctnm3) (Entered: 01/03/2024)
2024-01-0536Memorandum in opposition to re 34 Motion for Summary Judgment, and in support of Plaintiffs' Cross Motion for Summary Judgment filed by WILLIAM COX, DAJUAN HOLMES-HAMILTON, JEREMIAH WILLIAMS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Ex. 1, # 2 Exhibit Ex. 2, # 3 Exhibit Ex. 3, # 4 Exhibit Ex 4, # 5 Exhibit Ex. 5, # 6 Exhibit Ex 6, # 7 Exhibit Ex. 7, # 8 Exhibit Ex. 8, # 9 Exhibit Ex. 9, # 10 Exhibit Ex. 10, # 11 Exhibit Ex 11, # 12 Statement of Facts Pl. Response to Def. Statement of Material Facts, # 13 Statement of Facts Pl. Statement of Material Facts, # 14 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order)(Szokoly, Nicholas) (Entered: 01/05/2024)
2024-01-0537Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment by WILLIAM COX, DAJUAN HOLMES-HAMILTON, JEREMIAH WILLIAMS. (Szokoly, Nicholas) (Entered: 01/05/2024)
2024-02-0538REPLY to opposition to motion re 34 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Bardo, John) (Entered: 02/05/2024)
2024-02-0539Memorandum in opposition to re 37 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Bardo, John) (Entered: 02/05/2024)
2024-02-2740REPLY to opposition to motion re 37 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by WILLIAM COX, DAJUAN HOLMES-HAMILTON, JEREMIAH WILLIAMS. (Szokoly, Nicholas) (Entered: 02/27/2024)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar