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Case TitleCHAVIS v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2022cv00618
Date Filed2022-03-07
Date ClosedOpen
JudgeJudge Timothy J. Kelly
PlaintiffMICHAEL CHAVIS
Case DescriptionMichael Chavis, an investigator for the Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, submitted FOIA requests to the Department of Justice for records concerning Ricardo Sanchez, who had been convicted for murder as well as gun and drug charges along with Daniel Troya. Chavis's office was defending Sanchez in his post-conviction appeal. Chavis made requests to the FBI for records about Sanchez's case. Because his requests asked for records on his co-defendants, the FBI divided the requests into three separate requests and issued Glomar responses for records concerning third parties. Chavis filed administrative appeals challenging the agency's actions. The Office of Information Policy upheld the Glomar responses. Chavis also argued that the agency had not searched for records of the murder for which Sanchez and others were convicted. The agency indicated that it was processing those records but Chavis heard nothing further from the FBI. Chavis also requested from the DEA. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request and redacted 107 pages and withheld entirely 225 pages. Chavis filed an administrative appeal of the DEA's decision. Chavis heard nothing more from the DEA. Chavis also requested records from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces. OCDETF acknowledged receipt of the request and disclosed 10 heavily redacted pages. Chavis filed an administrative appeal. The agency acknowledged receipt of the appeal. After hearing nothing further from any of the agencies, Chavis filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search

DefendantUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DefendantFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DefendantDRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
DefendantORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES
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
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2022-03-071COMPLAINT for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief against DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Fee Status:Filing Fee Waived) filed by MICHAEL CHAVIS. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit 5, # 6 Civil Cover Sheet Cover Sheet, # 7 Summons DEA Summons, # 8 Summons DOJ Summons, # 9 Summons FBI Summons, # 10 Summons OCDETF Summons)(Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 03/07/2022)
2022-03-082MOTION for Waiver of Filing Fee by MICHAEL CHAVIS. (Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 03/08/2022)
2022-03-09Case Assigned to Judge Timothy J. Kelly. (zsb) (Entered: 03/09/2022)
2022-03-11MINUTE ORDER granting Plaintiff's 2 Motion for Waiver of Filing Fee. For the reasons set forth in Plaintiff's 2 Motion, it is hereby ORDERED that the 2 Motion is GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to waive the filing fee in this action. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 03/11/2022. (lctjk2) (Entered: 03/11/2022)
2022-03-153REQUEST FOR SUMMONS TO ISSUE re 1 Complaint,, filed by MICHAEL CHAVIS. Related document: 1 Complaint,, filed by MICHAEL CHAVIS.(Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 03/15/2022)
2022-03-154SUMMONS (6) Issued Electronically as to DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachment: # 1 Notice and Consent)(ztth) (Entered: 03/15/2022)
2022-03-305RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 03/22/2022. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certified Mail Return Receipt)(Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-03-306RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY served on 3/21/2022 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certified Mail Return Receipt)(Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-03-307RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION served on 3/22/2022 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certified Mail Return Receipt)(Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-03-308RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES served on 3/22/2022 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certified Mail Return Receipt)(Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-03-309RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 3/22/2022 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certified Mail Return Receipt)(Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 03/30/2022)
2022-04-0510RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/30/2022. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/29/2022. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certified Mail Return Receipt)(Ihnen, Luke) (Entered: 04/05/2022)
2022-04-2511NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Duffey on behalf of DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 04/25/2022)
2022-04-2612Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint,, with proposed order by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 04/26/2022)
2022-04-27MINUTE ORDER granting Defendants' 12 Consent Motion for Extension of Time for Defendants to Answer or Otherwise Respond to the Complaint. It is hereby ORDERED, for good cause shown, that Defendants' 12 Consent Motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint by June 1, 2022. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 04/27/2022. (lctjk2) (Entered: 04/27/2022)
2022-05-3113ANSWER to Complaint by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 05/31/2022)
2022-06-01MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall meet, confer, and file a joint proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure by June 29, 2022. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 06/01/2022. (lctjk2) (Entered: 06/01/2022)
2022-06-2914Joint STATUS REPORT by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 06/29/2022)
2022-06-30MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 14 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by August 29, 2022, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 06/30/2022. (lctjk2) (Entered: 06/30/2022)
2022-08-2915Joint STATUS REPORT by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 08/29/2022)
2022-08-30MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 15 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file another joint status report by October 28, 2022, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 08/30/2022. (lctjk2) (Entered: 08/30/2022)
2022-10-2816Joint STATUS REPORT by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 10/28/2022)
2022-10-30MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 16 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by January 6, 2023, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 10/30/2022. (lctjk2) (Entered: 10/30/2022)
2023-01-0617Joint STATUS REPORT by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 01/06/2023)
2023-01-08MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 17 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by April 6, 2023, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 1/8/2023. (lctjk2) (Entered: 01/08/2023)
2023-04-0618Joint STATUS REPORT by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 04/06/2023)
2023-04-07MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 18 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by July 6, 2023, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 4/7/2023. (lctjk2) (Entered: 04/07/2023)
2023-07-0619Joint STATUS REPORT by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 07/06/2023)
2023-07-07MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 19 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by October 6, 2023, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 7/7/2023. (lctjk2) (Entered: 07/07/2023)
2023-10-0620Joint STATUS REPORT by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 10/06/2023)
2023-10-11MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 20 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by January 8, 2024, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 10/11/2023. (lctjk2) (Entered: 10/11/2023)
2024-01-0821Joint STATUS REPORT by DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 01/08/2024)
2024-01-09MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 21 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by March 8, 2024, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 1/9/2024. (lctjk2) (Entered: 01/09/2024)
2024-03-0722Joint STATUS REPORT by FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCES, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Duffey, Thomas) (Entered: 03/07/2024)
2024-03-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 22 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by May 8, 2024, including, if necessary, a jointly proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Kelly on 3/12/2024. (lctjk2) (Entered: 03/12/2024)
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