Case: Tomasella v. Division of Child Support Services of Texas

3:19-cv-00771 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: March 28, 2019

Closed Date: Dec. 11, 2019

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The plaintiff, a private individual, filed this action pro se on March 29, 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against the Division of Child Support Services for the State of Texas, the Texas Attorney General, and other agencies and state officials. Plaintiff claimed in relevant part that his legal obligation to pay child support, and subsequent incarceration for failure to pay child support, violated his Fourteenth Amendment right to due process because he was no…

The plaintiff, a private individual, filed this action pro se on March 29, 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against the Division of Child Support Services for the State of Texas, the Texas Attorney General, and other agencies and state officials. Plaintiff claimed in relevant part that his legal obligation to pay child support, and subsequent incarceration for failure to pay child support, violated his Fourteenth Amendment right to due process because he was not adequately notified by Texas officials prior to getting married that he could be liable for child support payments upon divorce from his spouse. He also brought various other claims under the US Constitution and state tort law. The plaintiff sought an injunction to stop the child support proceedings against him, as well as a refund for prior child support payments and compensatory and punitive damages.

On April 29, 2019, Magistrate Judge David L. Horan recommended that this case be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction because the plaintiff was essentially asking the court to rule on a state child support proceeding, which federal district courts cannot do under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine. 2019 WL 2165744. The plaintiff filed objections to the report and recommendation, but Judge David C. Godbey agreed with the magistrate judge and dismissed the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction on May 17, 2019. 2019 WL 2161856. The plaintiff filed an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, but it was dismissed on December 11, 2019 for failure to prosecute. 2019 WL 11115871. The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Kierre Elvington (5/2/2024)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
3

3:19-cv-00771

Complaint for Violation of Civil Rights

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

March 28, 2019

March 28, 2019

Complaint
6

3:19-cv-00771

Order Regarding Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

Order/Opinion
5

3:19-cv-00771

Notice of Deficiency and Order

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

Order/Opinion
8

3:19-cv-00771

Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendation of the US Magistrate Judge

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

April 29, 2019

April 29, 2019

Order/Opinion

2019 WL 2165744

13

3:19-cv-00771

Judgment

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

May 17, 2019

May 17, 2019

Order/Opinion
12

3:19-cv-00771

Order Accepting Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendation of the US Magistrate Judge

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

May 17, 2019

May 17, 2019

Order/Opinion

2019 WL 2161856

15

3:19-cv-00771

Application to Proceed in District Court without Prepaying Fees or Costs

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

May 29, 2019

May 29, 2019

Pleading / Motion / Brief
18

3:19-cv-00771

Request to Issue Cease and Desist to Defendant Casey Lee Blair

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

June 28, 2019

June 28, 2019

Pleading / Motion / Brief
19

3:19-cv-00771

Order

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

July 15, 2019

July 15, 2019

Order/Opinion
22

3:19-cv-00771

Judgment

Tomasella v. Division of Child Support et al

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Dec. 11, 2019

Dec. 11, 2019

Order/Opinion

2019 WL 11115871

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/15644250/tomasella-v-division-of-child-support/

Last updated May 2, 2024, 11:36 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

New Case Notes: A filing fee has not been paid. CASREF case referral set and case referred to Magistrate Judge Horan (see Special Order 3). Initiating documents received by mail. No prior sanctions found. (For court use only - links to the national and circuit indexes.) Pursuant to Misc. Order 6, Plaintiff is provided the Notice of Right to Consent to Proceed Before A U.S. Magistrate Judge (Judge Horan). Clerk to provide copy to plaintiff if not received electronically. (zkc) (Entered: 03/28/2019)

March 28, 2019

March 28, 2019

PACER
2

Notice and Instruction to Pro Se Party. (zkc) (Entered: 03/28/2019)

March 28, 2019

March 28, 2019

PACER

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No: 1, 2. Thu Mar 28 15:59:27 CDT 2019 (crt)

March 28, 2019

March 28, 2019

PACER
3

COMPLAINT WITH JURY DEMAND against 86th District Court, Bryan W Beavers, Casey Blair, Ruth Blake, Division of Child Support, Rhonda Hughey, Kaufman County, Kaufman County Child Support, Warren Kenneth Paxton, Jr filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms, instructions, and exemption information may be found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge. (zkc) (Entered: 03/28/2019)

March 28, 2019

March 28, 2019

Clearinghouse
4

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Todd Michael Tomasella. (zkc) (Entered: 03/28/2019)

March 28, 2019

March 28, 2019

PACER
5

NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY AND ORDER: Todd Michael Tomasella must address the following deficiency: Tomasella must either pay the full filing fee or, if he so qualifies, complete in full, verify, and file an IFP motion by 4/29/2019. Failure to comply with this order may lead to dismissal for failure to prosecute pursuant to FRCvP 41(b). (Ordered by Magistrate Judge David L. Horan on 3/29/2019) (axm) (Entered: 03/29/2019)

March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

Clearinghouse
6

ORDER REGARDING SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION: The Court ORDERS Tomasella to file no later than 4/29/2019 a written response to this order to show the Court that it has subject matter jurisdiction over this lawsuit. (Ordered by Magistrate Judge David L. Horan on 3/29/2019) (axm) (Entered: 03/29/2019)

March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

Clearinghouse

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:5,6. Fri Mar 29 16:39:06 CDT 2019 (crt)

March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

PACER
7

RESPONSE filed by Todd Michael Tomasella to: 6 Order Regarding Subject Matter Jurisdiction. (zkc) (Entered: 04/23/2019)

April 23, 2019

April 23, 2019

PACER
8

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE: The Court should dismiss this action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h)(3). (Ordered by Magistrate Judge David L. Horan on 4/29/2019) (zkc) (Entered: 04/29/2019)

April 29, 2019

April 29, 2019

Clearinghouse

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No: 8. Mon Apr 29 14:15:43 CDT 2019 (crt)

April 29, 2019

April 29, 2019

PACER
9

Todd Tomasella's Response to Court filed by Todd Michael Tomasella (ykp) (Entered: 05/14/2019)

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

PACER
10

Response/OBJECTION to 8 Findings and Recommendations by Todd Michael Tomasella (ykp) (Entered: 05/14/2019)

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

PACER
11

RESPONSE filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. (aaa) (Entered: 05/17/2019)

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

PACER
12

Order Accepting 8 Findings, Conclusions and Recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge. (Ordered by Judge David C Godbey on 5/17/2019) (zkc) (Entered: 05/17/2019)

May 17, 2019

May 17, 2019

Clearinghouse
13

JUDGMENT: This action is DISMISSED for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. (Ordered by Judge David C Godbey on 5/17/2019) (zkc) (Entered: 05/17/2019)

May 17, 2019

May 17, 2019

Clearinghouse

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No: 12, 13. Fri May 17 16:43:22 CDT 2019 (crt)

May 17, 2019

May 17, 2019

PACER
14

NOTICE OF APPEAL to the Fifth Circuit by Todd Michael Tomasella. T.O. form to appellant electronically at Transcript Order Form or US Mail as appropriate. Copy of NOA to be sent US Mail to parties not electronically noticed. IMPORTANT ACTION REQUIRED: Provide an electronic copy of any exhibit you offered during a hearing or trial that was admitted into evidence to the clerk of the district court within 14 days of the date of this notice. Copies must be transmitted as PDF attachments through ECF by all ECF Users or delivered to the clerk on a CD by all non-ECF Users. See detailed instructions here. (Exception: This requirement does not apply to a pro se prisoner litigant.) Please note that if original exhibits are in your possession, you must maintain them through final disposition of the case. (zkc) (Entered: 05/29/2019)

May 29, 2019

May 29, 2019

PACER
15

MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis on appeal re 14 Notice of Appeal filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. (zkc) (Entered: 05/29/2019)

May 29, 2019

May 29, 2019

Clearinghouse

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:14. with Transcript Order Wed May 29 16:00:33 CDT 2019 (crt)

May 29, 2019

May 29, 2019

PACER

USCA Case Number 19-10614 in USCA5 for 14 Notice of Appeal filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. (axm)

June 3, 2019

June 3, 2019

PACER

USCA Case Number 19-10614 in USCA5 for 14 Notice of Appeal filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. (svc)

June 4, 2019

June 4, 2019

PACER
16

Request for Status filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. (aaa) (Entered: 06/28/2019)

June 28, 2019

June 28, 2019

PACER
17

Status request with Clerk's response re: 15 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis on appeal re 14 Notice of Appeal filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. (aaa) (Clerk's response added on 7/3/2019: # 1 Additional Page(s)) (aaa). (Entered: 06/28/2019)

June 28, 2019

June 28, 2019

PACER
18

Request to issue cease and desist to defendant Casey Lee Blair filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. (aaa) Modified docket text on 8/27/2019 (aaa). (Entered: 06/28/2019)

June 28, 2019

June 28, 2019

Clearinghouse
19

ORDER denying 15 Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis on Appeal. (Ordered by Judge David C Godbey on 7/15/2019) (zkc) (Entered: 07/15/2019)

July 15, 2019

July 15, 2019

Clearinghouse

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No: 19. Mon Jul 15 14:44:57 CDT 2019 (crt)

July 15, 2019

July 15, 2019

PACER

Confirmation of receipt of payment from Todd Michael Tomasella in the amount of $505.00. Transaction posted on 7/23/2019. Receipt number DS117768 processed by rc. (ali) Lifted restriction on 7/24/2019 (ali).

July 24, 2019

July 24, 2019

PACER

Record on Appeal for USCA5 19-10614 (related to 14 appeal): Record consisting of: 1 ECF electronic record on appeal (eROA) is certified,. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Licensed attorneys must have filed an appearance in the USCA5 case and be registered for electronic filing in the USCA5 to access the paginated eROA in the USCA5 ECF system. (Take these steps immediately if you have not already done so. Once you have filed the notice of appearance and/or USCA5 ECF registration, it may take up to 3 business days for the circuit to notify the district clerk that we may grant you access to the eROA in the USCA5 ECF system.) To access the paginated record, log in to the USCA5 ECF system, and under the Utilities menu, select Electronic Record on Appeal. Pro se litigants may request a copy of the record by contacting the appeals deputy in advance to arrange delivery. (epm)

Aug. 2, 2019

Aug. 2, 2019

PACER

***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:. Notice of Record on Appeal. Fri Aug 2 11:31:23 CDT 2019 (crt)

Aug. 2, 2019

Aug. 2, 2019

PACER

Record on Appeal for USCA5 19-10614 (related to 14 appeal): transmitted to Todd Michael Tomasella by email. (axm)

Aug. 13, 2019

Aug. 13, 2019

PACER
20

NOTICE OF OBJECTION to 8 Findings and Recommendations by Todd Michael Tomasella, received from Fifth Circuit for processing in this Office on 8/26/2019. (axm) (Entered: 08/27/2019)

Aug. 22, 2019

Aug. 22, 2019

PACER
21

NOTICE of Cease and Desist filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. (epm) (Entered: 09/03/2019)

Sept. 3, 2019

Sept. 3, 2019

PACER
22

ORDER of USCA as to 14 Notice of Appeal filed by Todd Michael Tomasella. The appeal is dismissed for want of prosecution. (svc) (Entered: 12/11/2019)

Dec. 11, 2019

Dec. 11, 2019

Clearinghouse

Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Criminal Justice (Other)

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 28, 2019

Closing Date: Dec. 11, 2019

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A private individual

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Texas Attorney General, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Self-incrimination

Slavery/Involuntary servitude

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Unreasonable search and seizure

Freedom of speech/association

Equal Protection

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None