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Case TitlePIERCE v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2020cv00600
Date Filed2020-02-28
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Beryl A. Howell
PlaintiffGEORGE PIERCE
Case DescriptionGeorge Pierce submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Homeland Security for records concerning emails in the Outlook file of Patrol Agent in Charge Matthew Grupe pertaining to Pierce. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and told Grupe that it was closing his request because it was too vague. Grupe filed an administrative appeal of that decision. The agency upheld the decision. Grupe then filed suit.
Complaint issues: Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DefendantDEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DefendantU.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
Complaint attachment 5
Complaint attachment 6
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text
2020-02-281COMPLAINT against U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number ADCDC-6874923) filed by GEORGE PIERCE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet, # 6 Summons)(Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 02/28/2020)
2020-02-282NOTICE of Appearance by Merrick Jason Wayne on behalf of GEORGE PIERCE (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 02/28/2020)
2020-02-283NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew Topic on behalf of GEORGE PIERCE (Topic, Matthew) (Entered: 02/28/2020)
2020-02-28Case Assigned to Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell. (adh, ) (Entered: 02/28/2020)
2020-02-284SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(adh, ) (Entered: 02/28/2020)
2020-03-035STANDING ORDER. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on March 3, 2020. (lcbah2) (Entered: 03/03/2020)
2020-03-266NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine Boyd Palmer-Ball on behalf of All Defendants (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 03/26/2020)
2020-04-157ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.(Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 04/15/2020)
2020-05-128RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION served on 3/19/2020 (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 05/12/2020)
2020-05-129RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY served on 3/19/2020 (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 05/12/2020)
2020-05-1210RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 3/17/2020. (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 05/12/2020)
2020-05-1211RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/17/2020. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/16/2020. (Wayne, Merrick) (Entered: 05/12/2020)
2020-05-1512Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 05/15/2020)
2020-05-18MINUTE ORDER (paperless) GRANTING the parties' request for an extension of time to file the initial status report required by the 5 Standing Order ¶ 3 and DIRECTING the parties to file, by May 22, 2020, the initial joint status report. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on May 18, 2020. (lcbah2) (Entered: 05/18/2020)
2020-05-19Set/Reset Deadlines: Initial joint status report due by 5/22/2020. (tg) (Entered: 05/19/2020)
2020-05-2213Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 05/22/2020)
2020-05-26MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 13 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by July 22, 2020, a joint status report. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on May 26, 2020. (lcbah2) (Entered: 05/26/2020)
2020-05-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/22/2020. (tg) (Entered: 05/27/2020)
2020-07-2214Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 07/22/2020)
2020-07-24MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 14 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by September 21, 2020, a joint status report. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on July 24, 2020. (lcbah2) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-07-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/21/2020. (ztg) (Entered: 07/24/2020)
2020-09-2115Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 09/21/2020)
2020-09-23MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 15 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by November 20, 2020, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on September 22, 2020. (lcbah2) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-09-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint status report due by 11/20/2020. (ztg) (Entered: 09/23/2020)
2020-11-2016Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
2020-11-20MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 16 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by January 19, 2020, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on November 20, 2020. (lcbah2) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
2020-11-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/19/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 11/23/2020)
2021-01-1917Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 01/19/2021)
2021-02-10MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by March 22, 2021, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on February 10, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 02/10/2021)
2021-02-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/22/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 02/11/2021)
2021-03-2218Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 03/22/2021)
2021-03-22MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 18 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by May 21, 2021, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on March 22, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 03/22/2021)
2021-03-23Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 5/21/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 03/23/2021)
2021-05-2119Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 05/21/2021)
2021-05-25MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 19 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by July 20, 2021, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on May 25, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 05/25/2021)
2021-05-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/20/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 05/25/2021)
2021-07-2020Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Palmer-Ball, Katherine) (Entered: 07/20/2021)
2021-07-20MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by September 20, 2021, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on July 20, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 07/20/2021)
2021-07-21Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/20/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 07/21/2021)
2021-07-21ENTERED IN ERROR.....Set/Reset Deadlines: Cross motions for partial summary judgment due by 7/28/2021; opposition to cross-motions and reply to partial motion for summary judgment due by 8/28/2021; reply to oppositions to motions for summary judgment due by 9/3/2021. (ztg) Modified on 7/21/2021 (ztg). (Entered: 07/21/2021)
2021-07-21NOTICE OF CORRECTED DOCKET ENTRY: the Set/Reset Deadlines entered in this case was entered in error and counsel shall disregard the entry. (ztg) (Entered: 07/21/2021)
2021-07-3021NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Thomas Anthony Quinn on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney AUSA Katherine Palmer-Ball (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 07/30/2021)
2021-09-2022Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 09/20/2021)
2021-09-21MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by November 21, 2021, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on September 21, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 09/21/2021)
2021-09-22Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 11/21/2021. (ztg) (Entered: 09/22/2021)
2021-11-2223Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 11/22/2021)
2021-11-24MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 23 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by January 28, 2022, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on November 24, 2021. (lcbah2) (Entered: 11/24/2021)
2021-11-24Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/28/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 11/24/2021)
2022-01-2824Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 01/28/2022)
2022-01-31MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 24 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by February 28, 2022, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 31, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 01/31/2022)
2022-01-31Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 2/28/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 01/31/2022)
2022-02-2825Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 02/28/2022)
2022-03-01MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 25 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by March 28, 2022, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on March 1, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 03/01/2022)
2022-03-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/28/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 03/02/2022)
2022-03-2826NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Loevy on behalf of GEORGE PIERCE (Loevy, Joshua) (Entered: 03/28/2022)
2022-03-2827Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 03/28/2022)
2022-03-29MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 27 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by April 25, 2022, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on March 29, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 03/29/2022)
2022-03-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/25/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 03/29/2022)
2022-04-2528Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 04/25/2022)
2022-04-26MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 28 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by June 28, 2022, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on April 26, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 04/26/2022)
2022-04-27Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 6/28/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 04/27/2022)
2022-06-2829Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 06/28/2022)
2022-06-28MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 29 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by August 31, 2022, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on June 28, 2022 (lcbah2) (Entered: 06/28/2022)
2022-06-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/31/2022. (ztg) (Entered: 06/29/2022)
2022-08-3130Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 08/31/2022)
2022-08-31MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 30 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by October 31, 2022, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on August 31, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 08/31/2022)
2022-09-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/31/2022. (hmc) (Entered: 09/01/2022)
2022-10-3131Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 10/31/2022)
2022-11-01MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 31 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by January 13, 2023, a joint status report indicating whether any issues remain and, if so, a proposed schedule to govern future proceedings in this matter. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on November 1, 2022. (lcbah2) (Entered: 11/01/2022)
2022-11-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 1/13/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 11/02/2022)
2023-01-1332Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 01/13/2023)
2023-01-17MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 32 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by April 14, 2023, another joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 17, 2023. (lcbah2) (Entered: 01/17/2023)
2023-01-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 4/14/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 01/18/2023)
2023-04-1333Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Quinn, Thomas) (Entered: 04/13/2023)
2023-04-17MINUTE ORDER (paperless), upon consideration of the parties' 33 Joint Status Report, DIRECTING the parties to file, by July 14, 2023, a joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any issues remain disputed and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on April 17, 2023. (lcbah2) (Entered: 04/17/2023)
2023-04-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/14/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 04/17/2023)
2023-07-1434NOTICE of Appearance by Alexander Schreiber on behalf of All Defendants (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 07/14/2023)
2023-07-1435Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 07/14/2023)
2023-07-14MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 35 Joint Status Report, the parties to file, by August 14, 2023, a joint status report advising the Court whether any disputes remain between the parties, and if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on July 14, 2023. (lcbah2) (Entered: 07/14/2023)
2023-07-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 8/14/2023. (ztg) (Entered: 07/18/2023)
2023-08-1436Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 08/14/2023)
2023-08-14MINUTE ORDER (paperless) Upon consideration of the parties' 36 Joint Status Report, DIRECTING the parties to file, by October 13, 2023, another joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on August 14, 2023. (lcbah2) (Entered: 08/14/2023)
2023-08-15Set/Reset Deadlines: Parties Joint Status Report due by 10/13/2023 (mac) (Entered: 08/15/2023)
2023-10-1337Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 10/13/2023)
2023-10-16MINUTE ORDER (paperless) Upon consideration of the parties' 37 Joint Status Report, DIRECTING the parties to file, by January 12, 2024, another joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on October 16, 2023. (lcbah2) (Entered: 10/16/2023)
2023-10-17Set/Reset Deadlines: Parties Joint Status Report due by 1/12/2024. (mac) (Entered: 10/17/2023)
2024-01-1238Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-01-12MINUTE ORDER (paperless) Upon consideration of the parties' 38 Joint Status Report, DIRECTING the parties to file, by April 11, 2024, another joint status report advising the Court of the status of this matter, whether any disputes remain between the parties and, if so, proposing a schedule to govern further proceedings. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on January 12, 2024. (lcbah2) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-01-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Parties Joint Status Report due by 4/11/2024. (mac) (Entered: 01/12/2024)
2024-04-1139Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 04/11/2024)
2024-04-11MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING the parties, upon consideration of their 39 Joint Status Report, to file, by July 10, 2024, a joint status report, advising the Court of the status of this matter. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on April 11, 2024. (lcbah1) (Entered: 04/11/2024)
2024-04-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 7/10/2024. (zalh) (Entered: 04/12/2024)
2024-07-1040Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 07/10/2024)
2024-07-10MINUTE ORDER (paperless) DIRECTING, upon consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, the parties to file another joint status report by September 9, 2024, advising the Court of the status of this matter. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on July 10, 2024. (lcbah2) (Entered: 07/10/2024)
2024-07-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 9/9/2024 (mac) (Entered: 07/11/2024)
2024-09-0641Joint STATUS REPORT by DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. (Schreiber, Alexander) (Entered: 09/06/2024)
2024-09-09MINUTE ORDER (paperless), upon consideration of the parties' 41 Joint Status Report, DIRECTING the parties to file another joint status report by November 8, 2024, advising the Court of the status of this matter. Signed by Judge Beryl A. Howell on September 9, 2024. (lcbah2) (Entered: 09/09/2024)
2024-09-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Parties Joint Status Report due by 11/8/2024. (mac) (Entered: 09/10/2024)
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