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Case TitleSparks v. US Army Central Command (ARCENT)
DistrictDistrict of Massachusetts
CityBoston
Case Number1:2015cv11291
Date Filed2015-03-26
Date Closed2017-04-03
JudgeJudge F. Dennis Saylor, IV
PlaintiffBrian Sparks
Case DescriptionBrian Sparks, a researcher, submitted two FOIA requests to the U.S. Army Central Command for records of a 2005 status report concerning unit functioning in Iraq and for flight manifests for flights to Basra during a specified period of time. After hearing nothing from the agency, Sparks filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantUS Army Central Command (ARCENT) FOIA Office, Department of the Army
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2015-03-261COMPLAINT against US Army Central Command (ARCENT), filed by Brian Sparks. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet and cover sheet, # 2 Exhibit in support of complaint)(Halley, Taylor) (Entered: 03/26/2015)
2015-03-263General Order 09-1, dated January 6, 2009 regarding the E-Government Act and Personal Identifiers entered. (Halley, Taylor) (Entered: 03/26/2015)
2015-03-264NOTICE of Case Assignment. Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal assigned to case. Plaintiff's counsel, or defendant's counsel if this case was initiated by the filing of a Notice of Removal, are directed to the Notice and Procedures regarding Consent to Proceed before the Magistrate Judge which can be downloaded here . These documents will be mailed to counsel not receiving notice electronically. (Abaid, Kimberly) (Entered: 03/26/2015)
2015-05-055Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ORDER entered granting 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis. The Clerk shall provide the plaintiff with the form for Consent/Refusal of Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction and the instructions for that form. The Clerk shall issue summons and the United States Marshal shall serve a copy of the summons, complaint, consent package, and this Order upon the defendant as directed by plaintiff with all costs of service to be advanced by the United States. Service must be completed within 120 days of the date of this order. (PSSA, 3) (Entered: 05/05/2015)
2015-05-056Summons Issued as to US Army Central Command (ARCENT) and mailed to plaintiff with Local Rule 4.1, forms and instructions for service by the United States Marshals Service, and FRCP 4(i). (PSSA, 3) (Entered: 05/05/2015)
2015-10-017Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ELECTRONIC ORDER ENTERED. The complaint in this case was filed on March 26, 2015. Docket No. 1 . On May 5, 2015, the Court granted Mr. Sparks' motion to proceed in forma pauperis and ordered that service be completed within 120 days. Docket No. 5. On that date, the Clerk mailed to Mr. Sparks the summons and instructions for service by the United States Marshals Service. Docket No. 6. As of this date, there has been no return to the Court of proof of service of the summons and complaint on the defendant U.S. Army Central Command as required by the Court's order and Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m) and Local Rule 4.1, this Court will recommend to a District Judge that this action be dismissed without prejudice unless by October 15, 2015, proof of service is filed or good cause shown why service has not been made. (York, Steve) (Entered: 10/01/2015)
2015-11-058Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal: ORDER entered. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 1 Complaint filed by Brian Sparks. Recommendation: REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m) AND LR 4.1. Objections to R&R due by 11/19/2015(York, Steve) (Entered: 11/05/2015)
2015-11-069ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Reassignment. Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV added. (Abaid, Kimberly) (Entered: 11/06/2015)
2016-06-0310Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered acknowledging 8 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 1 Complaint filed by Brian Sparks. Recommendation: REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m) AND LR 4.1. (Pezzarossi, Lisa) (Entered: 06/03/2016)
2016-06-0311Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ORDER OF DISMISSAL entered. Copy mailed. (Pezzarossi, Lisa) (Entered: 06/03/2016)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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