Case: Yarzue v. Division of Immigration Health Services

4:05-cv-01415 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: July 14, 2005

Closed Date: 2006

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On July 14, 2005, a federal immigration detainee filed a pro se lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, alleging that he was denied proper medical care for a serious condition in violation of his rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. Plaintiff alleged that while he was incarcerated at York County Prison in Pennsylvania (a state facility contracted to hold federal immigration detainees) he suffered from severe pain in his genitals and ur…

On July 14, 2005, a federal immigration detainee filed a pro se lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, alleging that he was denied proper medical care for a serious condition in violation of his rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. Plaintiff alleged that while he was incarcerated at York County Prison in Pennsylvania (a state facility contracted to hold federal immigration detainees) he suffered from severe pain in his genitals and urinary tract. He was seen and treated by several doctors, but his condition did not improve. Ultimately, one of the treating doctors recommended that he undergo a cystoscopic evaluation (a diagnostic procedure that uses a cystoscope to examine the bladder, lower urinary tract, and prostate gland) by a urologist. The Division of Immigration Health Services of the Department of Homeland Security refused to approve the test on the basis that it was not medically necessary. Plaintiff filed an administrative grievance which was eventually reviewed by the Complaint Review Board, which determined that the treatment was constitutionally required, and that it should be provided immediately. When federal immigration authorities were notified of the Board's decision, plaintiff was transferred to a different facility in Berks County, allegedly to avoid providing the treatment. This lawsuit ensued.

On November 8, 2005, Defendant York County filed a third-party complaint against the federal immigration defendants, seeking an injunction requiring the federal defendants to provide plaintiff and all inmates in its custody with healthcare that was mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The next day, the District Court (Judge James F. McClure Jr.) appointed attorneys with the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project to represent the plaintiff. Appointed counsel subsequently filed a second amended complaint which refined plaintiff's claims and sought declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as compensatory damages.

The federal immigration agency defendants moved to dismiss York County's third party complaint. In lieu of replying to plaintiff's second amended complaint, the federal defendants requested and were given numerous extensions, presumably because settlement negotiations were underway. On September 1, 2006, plaintiff filed a stipulation for dismissal of his claims. The details of the settlement were not made part of the Court record and are unknown.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (12/28/2007)

People


Judge(s)

McClure, James Focht Jr. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cooke, Michael J. (Pennsylvania)

Love, Angus R. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Defendant

Brenner, Thomas Edward (Pennsylvania)

Butler, Michael J. (Pennsylvania)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

4:05-cv-01415

Docket (PACER)

Yarzue v. Hogan

Sept. 7, 2006

Sept. 7, 2006

Docket
14-1

4:05-cv-01415

Third Party Complaint

Yarzue v. Hogan

Nov. 8, 2005

Nov. 8, 2005

Complaint
33-2

4:05-cv-01415

Memorandum, re: Division of Immigration Health Services

Nov. 28, 2005

Nov. 28, 2005

Discovery Material/FOIA Release
36

4:05-cv-01415

Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint

Dec. 21, 2005

Dec. 21, 2005

Complaint

4:05-cv-01415

Exhibits to Third Party Plaintiff's Brief in Opposition to the Third Party Defendants' Motion to Dismiss the Third Party Complaint

April 7, 2006

April 7, 2006

Discovery Material/FOIA Release

Docket

Last updated March 25, 2025, 8:40 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 July 14, 2005

COMPLAINT against all defendants filed by Plaintiff Benedictus Yarzue, w/request for counsel on his behalf at paragraph 8, Section V. (Entered: 07/15/2005)

PACER
2 July 14, 2005

MOTION and affidavit for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Benedictus Yarzue.(bp) (Entered: 07/15/2005)

PACER
3 July 15, 2005

STANDING PRACTICE ORDER signed by M.D.PA judges issued on 7/15/05.(bp) (Entered: 07/15/2005)

PACER
July 15, 2005

PRISONER LETTER ISSUED w/ Notice & Consent Form and U.S. Marshal Forms to Plf Yarzue from Wmpt. (bp) (Entered: 07/15/2005)

PACER
4 July 19, 2005

ORDER granting 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis, which is construed as a motion to proceed without full prepayment of fees and costs. U.S.Marshal directed to serve Plf complaint on Dfts named therein. Signed by Judge James F. McClure Jr. on 7/19/05 (bp) (Entered: 07/19/2005)

PACER
5 July 27, 2005

Mail Returned as Undeliverable. Mail sent to Benedictus Yarzue at Berks County Prison. Telephoned Records Department, Berks County Prison, and was told inmate Yarzue left there 7/15/05 in the custody of Immigration, and Berks County did not know where he was taken. (bp) (Entered: 07/27/2005)

PACER
6 Aug. 1, 2005

NOTICE of Change of Address by Benedictus Yarzue (ga, ) (Entered: 08/01/2005)

PACER
7 Aug. 29, 2005

MOTION for Leave to File AMENDED COMPLAINT by Benedictus Yarzue.(kw) (Entered: 08/29/2005)

PACER
8 Sept. 27, 2005

NOTICE of Change of Address by Benedictus Yarzue (lg, ) (Entered: 09/27/2005)

PACER
9 Oct. 7, 2005

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned by Benedictus Yarzue. Dennis Bowen waiver sent on 9/15/2005, answer due 11/14/2005. (ep, ) (Entered: 10/07/2005)

PACER
10 Oct. 17, 2005

NOTICE of Change of Address by Benedictus Yarzue. Docket Sheet has been updated to reflect current address per filing. (kw, ) (Entered: 10/17/2005)

PACER
11 Oct. 21, 2005

EXHIBITS by Benedictus Yarzue re 1 Complaint. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A# 2 B# 3 C# 4 D# 5 E# 6 F# 7 G# 8 H)(kw, ) (Entered: 10/21/2005)

PACER
12 Oct. 21, 2005

NOTICE by Benedictus Yarzue of change of address and asking to be let out of quarantine (lg, ) (Entered: 10/21/2005)

PACER
13 Nov. 8, 2005

Defendants' ANSWER to Complaint with Affirmative Defenses , CROSSCLAIM against United States of America Department of Homeland Security, John Doe by Thomas Hogan, Beata, Roger Thomas, Dennis Bowen.(Reihart, Donald) (Entered: 11/08/2005)

PACER
14 Nov. 8, 2005

THIRD PARTY COMPLAINT against United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services, THIRD PARTY COMPLAINT against United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services, filed by Thomas Hogan, Beata, Roger Thomas, Dennis Bowen. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) # 2 Criminal Cover Sheet # 3 Summons) (Reihart, Donald) (Entered: 11/08/2005)

PACER
15 Nov. 9, 2005

ORDER granting 7 Motion for Leave to File amended complaint; secretary Chertoff substituted for Jone Doe; US Marshal shall serve, Signed by Judge James F. McClure Jr. on 11/9/05 (lg, ) (Entered: 11/09/2005)

PACER
16 Nov. 9, 2005

ORDER: Appointing Angus R. Love, Esquire, and Michael J. Cooke, Esquire, counsel for plaintiff through final disposition of the case in the district court; the appointment is pro bono except to the extent that attorneys fees may be awarded pursuant to statute if plaintiff is the prevailing party. Signed by Judge James F. McClure Jr. on 11/9/05. (km, ) (Entered: 11/09/2005)

PACER
Nov. 9, 2005

Summons Issued as to Michael Chertoff and USA and provided to USM for service. (lg, ) (Entered: 11/09/2005)

PACER
Nov. 16, 2005

THIRD Party Summons Issued as to United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services. (lg, ) (Entered: 11/16/2005)

PACER
17 Nov. 18, 2005

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Thomas Hogan, Beata, Roger Thomas, Dennis Bowen. United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services served on 11/15/2005, answer due 1/17/2006. (Reihart, Donald) (Entered: 11/18/2005)

PACER
18 Nov. 30, 2005

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Thomas Hogan, Beata, Roger Thomas, Dennis Bowen. United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services served on 11/28/2005, answer due 1/17/2006. (Reihart, Donald) (Entered: 11/30/2005)

PACER
19 Dec. 21, 2005

Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amended Complaint by Benedictus Yarzue. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Amended Complaint) (Cooke, Michael) (Entered: 12/21/2005)

PACER
20 Jan. 6, 2006

ORDER Signed by Judge James F. McClure Jr. on 1/6/05: within 10 days of the date of this order, plaintiff shall serve additional defendant Chertoff with a copy of his motion to file a second amended complaint; within 10 days of the date of this order, plaintiff shall file a brief in support of his pending motion to amend; failure of the plaintiff to timely comply with this Order will result in his motion being deemed withdrawn. (lg, ) (Entered: 01/06/2006)

PACER
21 Jan. 6, 2006

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Benedictus Yarzue re 19 Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amended Complaint , 20 Order, (Cooke, Michael) (Entered: 01/06/2006)

PACER
22 Jan. 10, 2006

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Benedictus Yarzue of Michael Chertoff (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(Cooke, Michael) (Entered: 01/10/2006)

PACER
23 Jan. 17, 2006

BRIEF IN SUPPORT re 19 Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amended Complaint filed by Benedictus Yarzue. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix)(Cooke, Michael) (Entered: 01/17/2006)

PACER
24 Jan. 23, 2006

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 14 Third Party Complaint,,,,, by United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A# 2 Certificate of Concurrence# 3 Proposed Order)(Butler, Michael) (Entered: 01/23/2006)

PACER
25 Jan. 24, 2006

ORDER: GRANTING the federal defendants' unopposed 24 motion requesting an enlargement of time; the federal defendants may file a response to the third party complaint on or before 3/24/2006. Signed by Judge James F. McClure Jr. on 1/24/2006. (km, ) (Entered: 01/24/2006)

PACER
26 Jan. 31, 2006

Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to Motion for Leave to File Amended Complaint by United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Concurrence# 2 Proposed Order)(Butler, Michael) (Entered: 01/31/2006)

PACER
27 Feb. 6, 2006

ORDER: GRANTING the federal defendants' unopposed 26 Motion requesting an enlargement of time; federal defendants' response to the plaintiff's motion to file a 2nd amended complaint due by 2/14/2006. Signed by Judge James F. McClure Jr. on 2/6/06. (km, ) (Entered: 02/06/2006)

PACER
28 Feb. 14, 2006

RESPONSE by United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services to 19 Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amended Complaint . (Butler, Michael) (Entered: 02/14/2006)

PACER
29 Feb. 23, 2006

Letter from Plf to the Court, w/attachment. (bp) (Entered: 02/23/2006)

PACER
30 March 21, 2006

Letter from Pro Se Writ Clerk to Benedictus Yarzue advising that the Court cannot give legal advice and he must file a motion rather than a letter. (prose, ) (Entered: 03/21/2006)

PACER
31 March 24, 2006

MOTION to Dismiss Third-Party Complaint by United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Non Concurrence# 2 Proposed Order)(Butler, Michael) (Entered: 03/24/2006)

PACER
32 March 24, 2006

BRIEF IN SUPPORT re 31 MOTION to Dismiss Third-Party Complaint filed by United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A - C)(Butler, Michael) (Entered: 03/24/2006)

PACER
33 April 7, 2006

BRIEF IN OPPOSITION re 31 MOTION to Dismiss Third-Party Complaint filed by Thomas Hogan, Beata, Roger Thomas, Dennis Bowen. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) 1# 2 Exhibit(s) 2# 3 Cert of Service of Exhibits# 4 Proposed Order)(Reihart, Donald) (Entered: 04/07/2006)

PACER
34 April 21, 2006

REPLY BRIEF re 31 MOTION to Dismiss Third-Party Complaint filed by United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A - D)(Butler, Michael) (Entered: 04/21/2006)

PACER
36 May 22, 2006

AMENDED COMPLAINT against Division of Immigration Health Services, Department of Homeland Security, York County, Berks County, Timothy Shack, John Doe, Jane Doe, Charles Norris, John Roe, Jane Roe, Prison Health Services, Inc., PrimeCare Medical Inc., Thomas Hogan, filed by Benedictus Yarzue.(lg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2006)

PACER
May 22, 2006

DOCKET ANNOTATION: document 36 deleted; to be re-docketed correctly as second amended complaint against all named parties. (lg, ) (Entered: 05/22/2006)

PACER
May 23, 2006

DOCKET ANNOTATION: summons entry deleted; to be re-entered properly as to federal defendants and state defendants. (lg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2006)

PACER
May 23, 2006

Summons Issued as to Division of Immigration Health Services, Department of Homeland Security, Timothy Shack, John Doe, Jane Doe and mailed to attorney Cooke for service. (lg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2006)

PACER
May 23, 2006

Summons Issued as to York County, Berks County, Charles Norris, John Roe, Jane Roe, Prison Health Services, Inc., PrimeCare Medical Inc. and mailed to Attorney Cooke for service on Defendant(s). (lg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2006)

PACER
37 June 5, 2006

ANSWER to Amended Complaint by Defs Thomas Hogan and York County , CROSSCLAIM against Division of Immigration Health Services, Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services by York County, Thomas Hogan.(Reihart, Donald) (Entered: 06/05/2006)

PACER
38 June 26, 2006

NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Edward Brenner on behalf of PrimeCare Medical Inc. (Brenner, Thomas) (Entered: 06/26/2006)

PACER
39 July 19, 2006

Letter from Yarzue (lg, ) (Entered: 07/19/2006)

PACER
40 July 24, 2006

Letter from Pro Se Writ Clerk to Benedictus Yarzue informing him that no action will be taken on the basis of a letter and any requests for relief must be in the form of a motion. (prose, ) (Entered: 07/24/2006)

PACER
41 Aug. 11, 2006

NOTICE of Appearance by David R. Zaslow on behalf of Charles Norris, Prison Health Services, Inc. (Zaslow, David) (Entered: 08/11/2006)

PACER
42 Aug. 11, 2006

NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Edward Brenner on behalf of Berks County (Brenner, Thomas) (Entered: 08/11/2006)

PACER
43 Aug. 11, 2006

MOTION for Extension of Time to TO FILE RESPONSIVE PLEADING by Berks County, PrimeCare Medical Inc..(Brenner, Thomas) (Entered: 08/11/2006)

PACER
44 Aug. 11, 2006

Eighth MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint by Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States of America Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Detention and Removal of Operations, Division of Immigration Health Services. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service# 2 Certificate of Concurrence# 3 Proposed Order) (Butler, Michael) (Entered: 08/11/2006)

PACER
45 Aug. 15, 2006

ORDER: GRANTING defendants PrimeCare Medical, Inc. and Berks' County unopposed 43 Motion requesting an enlargement of time; the moving defendants may file a response to plaintiff's 2nd amd complaint on or before 9/29/2006. Signed by Judge James F. McClure Jr. on 8/15/2006. (km, ) (Entered: 08/15/2006)

PACER
46 Sept. 1, 2006

STIPULATION of Dismissal by Benedictus Yarzue. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(Cooke, Michael) (Entered: 09/01/2006)

PACER
47 Sept. 7, 2006

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Thomas Hogan, Beata, Roger Thomas, Dennis Bowen of Third-Party Complaint (Attachments: # 1 Cert of Service)(Reihart, Donald) (Entered: 09/07/2006)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Pennsylvania

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 14, 2005

Closing Date: 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Federal immigration detainee in York County Prison

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Division of Immigration Health Services

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Private Entity/Person

PrimeCare Medical Inc.

Prison Health Services, Inc.

State

Berks County Prison

York County Prison

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Due Process

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Pennsylvania 4:05-cv-01415

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Issues

General/Misc.:

Conditions of confinement

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Recommended Citation