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Case TitleWHEELER v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2021cv00053
Date Filed2021-01-04
Date Closed2021-12-03
JudgeJudge Reggie B. Walton
PlaintiffRONALD WHEELER
Case DescriptionRonald Wheeler, a state prisoner in Pennsylvania, submitted a FOIA request to the Department of Justice for records concerning the government's investigation of drug trafficking charges against him. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and withheld all records under Exemption 7(A) (interference with ongoing investigation or proceeding). Wheeler filed an administrative appeal, which was denied. He then filed suit.
Complaint issues: Exemption 7(A) - Interference with ongoing investigation

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DefendantFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DefendantUNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2021-01-04Initiating Pleading & IFP Application Received on 1/4/2021. A copy of the docket sheet has been mailed to the address of record for the pro se party. (adh, ) (Entered: 01/12/2021)
2021-01-041COMPLAINT against FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION filed by RONALD WHEELER. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(adh, ) (Entered: 01/12/2021)
2021-01-042MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by RONALD WHEELER (adh, ) (Entered: 01/12/2021)
2021-01-044MOTION For Service by U.S. Marshall by RONALD WHEELER (adh, ) (Entered: 01/12/2021)
2021-01-123PRISONER TRUST FUND ACCOUNT STATEMENT for period of six months by RONALD WHEELER (adh, ) (Entered: 01/12/2021)
2021-01-215ORDER directing an initial partial filing fee in the amount of $10.39 from Prison Account of RONALD WHEELER and granting MOTION for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (see order for full details). Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 1/21/2021. (adh, ) (Entered: 01/21/2021)
2021-01-21Case Assigned to Judge Reggie B. Walton. (adh, ) (Entered: 01/21/2021)
2021-02-056SUMMONS (5) Issued as to FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General, sent to the U.S. Marshals Service (adh, ) (Entered: 02/05/2021)
2021-02-087RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 2/8/2021. (ztth) (Entered: 02/09/2021)
2021-02-108RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 2/10/2021. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 3/12/2021. (ztth) (Entered: 02/12/2021)
2021-02-169GENERAL ORDER FOR CIVIL CASES BEFORE THE HONORABLE REGGIE B. WALTON. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on February 16, 2021. (lcrbw1) (Entered: 02/16/2021)
2021-02-1910NOTICE of Appearance by Kristin Brudy-Everett on behalf of FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (Brudy-Everett, Kristin) (Entered: 02/19/2021)
2021-02-1911NOTICE of Consent to Assignment to Magistrate Judge by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (Brudy-Everett, Kristin) (Entered: 02/19/2021)
2021-03-0812LEAVE TO FILE DENIED - Proposed Order. This document is unavailable as the Court denied its filing. "Leave to file DENIED. The court officers have effected service of process. The Clerk shall enclose with this return a courtesy copy of the docket sheet." Signed by Judge /s/ Reggie B. Walton on 3/5/2021. (ztth) (Entered: 03/08/2021)
2021-03-1213ANSWER to 1 Complaint by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION.(Brudy-Everett, Kristin) (Entered: 03/12/2021)
2021-03-2415Mail Returned as Undeliverable; Sent to RONALD WHEELER; Type of Document Returned: Public Docket Sheet for 21cv53; New Address: Unknown. (ztth) (Entered: 03/26/2021)
2021-03-2614STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Angela Hertel, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Brudy-Everett, Kristin) (Entered: 03/26/2021)
2021-04-06MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of 14 the Defendants' Status Report, and as proposed, the defendants shall file a progress report on or before May 25, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 4/6/2021.(psu1) (Entered: 04/06/2021)
2021-04-06Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 5/25/2021 (hs) (Entered: 04/06/2021)
2021-05-2516STATUS REPORT and Proposed Briefing Schedule by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Brudy-Everett, Kristin) (Entered: 05/25/2021)
2021-06-01MINUTE ORDER SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE. In their latest status report, ECF No. 16, the defendants represent that they have satisfied their disclosure obligations in this FOIA case by producing all non-exempt records. Therefore, barring a notice of settlement, the parties shall adhere to the following deadlines. As proposed, the defendants' motion to dismiss and/or for summary judgment is due on or before July 15, 2021; the plaintiff's combined opposition and any cross-motion for summary judgment motion is due on or before August 26, 2021; the defendants' combined opposition to the plaintiff's cross-motion and reply, if needed, is due on or before September 9, 2021; and the plaintiff's reply, if needed, is due on or before October 7, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 6/1/2021.(psu1) (Entered: 06/01/2021)
2021-06-01Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment/ Motion to dismiss due by 7/15/2021. Cross Motion /Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 8/26/2021. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 9/9/2021. Reply due by 10/7/2021 (hs) (Entered: 06/01/2021)
2021-07-0117NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL by Sian Jones on behalf of All Defendants Substituting for attorney Kristin Brudy-Everett (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 07/01/2021)
2021-07-0818MOTION for Extension of Time to File by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Jones, Sian) (Entered: 07/08/2021)
2021-07-27MINUTE ORDER AMENDING THE BRIEFING SCHEDULE. Upon consideration of 18 the defendants' motion for an extension of time, the motion is hereby GRANTED, and the parties shall adhere to the following new deadlines. As proposed, the defendants' motion to dismiss or for summary judgment is due on or before August 16, 2021; the plaintiff's combined opposition and any cross-motion for summary judgment is due on or before September 27, 2021; the defendants' reply and any opposition to the plaintiff's cross-motion is due on or before October 12, 2021; and the plaintiff's reply to any opposition is due on or before November 8, 2021. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 7/27/2021.(psu1) (Entered: 07/27/2021)
2021-07-28Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment motions due by 8/16/2021. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 9/27/2021. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 10/12/2021. Reply due by 11/8/2021. (hs) (Entered: 07/28/2021)
2021-08-1619MOTION for Summary Judgment by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Statement of Facts, # 3 Declaration Seidel, # 4 Exhibit A, # 5 Exhibit B, # 6 Exhibit C, # 7 Exhibit D, # 8 Exhibit E, # 9 Exhibit F, # 10 Exhibit G, # 11 Exhibit H, # 12 Declaration Hertel, # 13 Text of Proposed Order)(Jones, Sian) (Entered: 08/16/2021)
2021-09-0120Order advising the plaintiff to respond to the defendants' summary judgment motion by the previously scheduled deadline of September 27, 2021, or risk dismissal of the case or entry of judgment in the defendants' favor (see document for details). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 9/1/2021.(psu1) (Entered: 09/01/2021)
2021-09-02Set/Reset Deadlines: Defendant's Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 9/27/2021. (hs) (Entered: 09/02/2021)
2021-09-2821Mail Returned as Undeliverable re 20 Fox/Neal Order, Sent to RONALD WHEELER; Resent at New Address: UNKNOWN. (hs) (Entered: 09/28/2021)
2021-11-0222NOTICE by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (Jones, Sian) (Entered: 11/02/2021)
2021-12-0323ORDER dismissing and closing the case, for failure to prosecute (see document for details). Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 12/3/2021. (psu1) (Entered: 12/03/2021)
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