Case: Kaighn v. United States of America

3:16-cv-08079 | U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

Filed Date: April 25, 2016

Closed Date: April 27, 2016

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case involved several claims brought by pro se plaintiffs on April 25, 2016, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the United States, the State of Arizona, the City of Prescott, Yavapai County, and the individual “official capacity” defendants (including the Prescott City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney, Police Chief, and Deputy Police Chief). The plaintiffs sought temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief to (i) enjoin the defendants from violating the plaintiff’s constitution…

This case involved several claims brought by pro se plaintiffs on April 25, 2016, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the United States, the State of Arizona, the City of Prescott, Yavapai County, and the individual “official capacity” defendants (including the Prescott City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney, Police Chief, and Deputy Police Chief). The plaintiffs sought temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief to (i) enjoin the defendants from violating the plaintiff’s constitutional rights and enjoining any and all pending criminal investigations and prosecution against the plaintiff, (ii) enjoin and declare various state and federal statutes unconstitutional, including Presidential Directive 51, and (iii) an injunction prohibiting further violations of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, 52 U.S.C. § 10101, and for “appointment of Federal Observers for Arizona elections, and for the Court to take jurisdiction over Arizona’s election process. 

The plaintiffs had previously applied to the US Supreme Court for an original action to enjoin and declare unconstitutional numerous state and federal statutes in an effort to end “the ongoing conspiracy to overthrow the duly elected government of the United States of America”. The Clerk of the Court of the Supreme Court sent a letter rejecting the application. On or about March 13, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a “Notice of Political Assassination of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia” and “Emergency Application for Arrest Warrant for Supreme Court Clerk Scott Harris.” (Doc. 1-4 at 4-7.) Plaintiffs claimed, among other things, that there was an apparent nexus between the Clerk’s dismissal of their case and the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia which served as “more than sufficient probable cause to arrest [Clerk of Court] Scott Harris for the murder and assassination of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia”. Plaintiffs claim that as “payback,” misdemeanour criminal charges were filed against one of the plaintiffs, Gregory Kaighn, on April 11, 2016.

The plaintiffs made numerous conspiratorial claims in their complaint including that since the passing of Presidential Directive 51, “the United States has been in a hidden state of Martial Law since May 4, 2007”. In addition, they claim that President Obama was taken hostage upon inauguration and that 9/11 was an inside job where nuclear weapons were used to destroy the World Trade Center.

On June 1, 2016, the District Court found that the complaint was subject to dismissal under Younger (that federal courts sitting in equity cannot enjoin pending state criminal proceedings), while the remaining claims were subject to dismissal as barred on sovereign immunity grounds. In addition, the entire complaint was dismissed because all claims were frivolous.

Summary Authors

(1/27/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/57723602/parties/kaighn-v-united-states-of-america/


Judge(s)

Logan, Steven Paul (Arizona)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Kaighn, Gregory R (Arizona)

Kaighn, Janis (Arizona)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:16-cv-08079

Verified Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief; Demand for Jury Trial

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Complaint
2

3:16-cv-08079

Plaintiffs Ex Parte Motion(s) for TRO Stopping all Criminal Prosecutions of Plaintiff(s)

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief
4

3:16-cv-08079

Declaration of Janis Kaighn in Support of Motion for TRO

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Declaration/Affidavit
5

3:16-cv-08079

Plaintiff's Motion Seeking the Issuance of Arrest Warrants

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief
3

3:16-cv-08079

Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief
12

3:16-cv-08079

Order

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

Order/Opinion
13

3:16-cv-08079

Public Access to Court Information - Case Search - State of Arizona v. Gregory

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

Other
14

3:16-cv-08079

Judgment of Dismissal in Civil Case

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/57723602/kaighn-v-united-states-of-america/

Last updated Aug. 8, 2025, 7:15 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT (TRO Requested). Filing fee received: $ 400.00, receipt number PHX171087 filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn. (Attachments: # 1 complaint part 2, # 2 complaint part 3, # 3 complaint part 4, # 4 complaint part 5, # 5 complaint part 6, # 6 complaint part 7 of 7)(BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

1 complaint part 2

View on RECAP

2 complaint part 3

View on RECAP

3 complaint part 4

View on RECAP

4 complaint part 5

View on RECAP

5 complaint part 6

View on RECAP

6 complaint part 7 of 7

View on RECAP

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Clearinghouse
2

EX PARTE MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn. (Attachments: # 1 lodged order)(BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

1 lodged order

View on RECAP

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Clearinghouse
3

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn. (Attachments: # 1 lodged order)(BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

1 lodged order

View on RECAP

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Clearinghouse
4

DECLARATION of Janis Kaighn in Support of Motion(s) for Temporary Restraining Orders, Preliminary Injunctions, Permanent Injunctions and Declarations of Judgment re: 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Plaintiffs Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn. (BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Clearinghouse
5

MOTION Seeking issuance of arrest warrants by Gregory R Kaighn and Janis Kaighn. (BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

Clearinghouse
6

REQUEST BY NON-PRISONER PRO SE PARTY FOR ELECTRONIC NOTICING filed by Janis Kaighn. Pro se parties must promptly notify the Clerks Office, in writing, if there is a change in designated e-mail address or mailing address. (BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

PACER
7

REQUEST BY NON-PRISONER PRO SE PARTY FOR ELECTRONIC NOTICING filed by Gregory R Kaighn. Pro se parties must promptly notify the Clerks Office, in writing, if there is a change in designated e-mail address or mailing address. (BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

PACER
8

Filing fee paid, receipt number PHX171087. This case has been assigned to the Honorable Steven P. Logan. All future pleadings or documents should bear the correct case number: CV-16-08079-PCT-SPL. Notice of Availability of Magistrate Judge to Exercise Jurisdiction form attached. (BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

PACER
9

MOTION to allow electronic filing by a party appearing without an attorney and supporting information by Gregory R Kaighn and Janis Kaighn. (BAS) (Entered: 04/25/2016)

April 25, 2016

April 25, 2016

PACER
10

Summons Issued as to All Defendants at counter to plaintiff. (BAS) This is a TEXT ENTRY ONLY. There is no PDF document associated with this entry. (Entered: 04/26/2016)

April 26, 2016

April 26, 2016

PACER
11

ORDER granting 9 Motion to Allow Electronic Filing. Plaintiffs Janis Kaighn and Gregory R. Kaighn shall have permission to file electronically using the Court's electronic filing system, are required to comply with all rules outlined in the District of Arizona's Case Management/Electronic Case Filing Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, shall each complete and submit the required form to register as a user to the Clerk of Court within five (5) days of the date of this Order, and shall each register as a subscriber to PACER (Public Access to Electronic Records) within five (5) days of the date of this Order. Signed by Judge Steven P Logan on 04/27/16.(GAR) (Entered: 04/27/2016)

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

PACER
12

ORDER denying as moot 2 Motion for TRO, 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, and 5 Motion Seeking Issuance of Arrest Warrants. The Complaint (Doc. 1 ) is dismissed with prejudice. The Clerk shall terminate this action and enter judgment accordingly. Signed by Judge Steven P Logan on 04/27/16.(GAR) (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/5/2016: # 1 Attachment) (SJF). (Entered: 04/27/2016)

1 Attachment

View on RECAP

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

Clearinghouse
13

Additional Attachments to Main Document re: 12 Order on Motion for TRO, Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Order Seeking Issuance of Arrest Warrants. (GAR) Modified on 5/5/2016 to reflect that this is a duplicate of attachment added to doc. 12 this date (SJF). (Entered: 04/27/2016)

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

Clearinghouse
14

CLERK'S JUDGMENT - IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that pursuant to the Court's Order filed April 27, 2016, judgment of dismissal is entered. Plaintiff to take nothing, and the complaint and action are dismissed with prejudice. (GAR) (Entered: 04/27/2016)

April 27, 2016

April 27, 2016

Clearinghouse
15

MOTION for Reconsideration re: 12 Order denying as moot 2 Motion for TRO, 3 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, and 5 Motion Seeking Issuance of Arrest Warrants, and 14 Clerks Judgment by Gregory R Kaighn and Janis Kaighn. (GAR) (Entered: 05/03/2016)

May 2, 2016

May 2, 2016

PACER
16

Second MOTION for Reconsideration re: 1 Complaint, 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, 12 Order on Motion for TRO, Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief, 14 Clerks Judgment, 2 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, 13 Additional Attachments to Main Document, 5 MOTION Seeking issuance of arrest warrants, 4 Declaration by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(Kaighn, Gregory R) (Entered: 05/03/2016)

May 3, 2016

May 3, 2016

PACER
17

Joint MOTION to Disqualify Judge Steven P. Logan by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Kaighn, Gregory R) (Entered: 05/03/2016)

May 3, 2016

May 3, 2016

PACER
18

ORDER denying 17 Motion to Disqualify Judge. Signed by Judge Steven P. Logan on 5/6/16.(CLB) (Entered: 05/06/2016)

May 6, 2016

May 6, 2016

PACER
19

ORDER denying Plaintiffs' 15, 16 Motions for Reconsideration. Signed by Judge Steven P Logan on 5/6/2016.(LFIG) (Entered: 05/06/2016)

May 6, 2016

May 6, 2016

PACER
20

Second MOTION for Recusal BASED ON FAILURE TO SEND CASE TO ANOTHER JUDGE by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn. (Kaighn, Gregory R) (Entered: 05/06/2016)

May 6, 2016

May 6, 2016

PACER
21

ORDER denying Plaintiff's 20 Motion for Recusal. Signed by Judge Steven P. Logan on 5/9/16.(CLB) (Entered: 05/09/2016)

May 9, 2016

May 9, 2016

PACER
22

Third MOTION to Disqualify Judge and for reconsideration, reinstatement of Verified Complaint by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Kaighn, Gregory R) (Entered: 05/09/2016)

May 9, 2016

May 9, 2016

PACER
23

ORDER denying Plaintiffs' 22 Motion in Response. Signed by Judge Steven P. Logan on 5/10/16.(CLB) (Entered: 05/10/2016)

May 10, 2016

May 10, 2016

PACER
24

*SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Declaration of Service re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS Service Of Summons, Complaint upon USA on April 27, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified to correct date of service on 5/16/2016 (KGM). (Entered: 05/13/2016)

May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

PACER
25

*SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Declaration of Service re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS upon State of Arizona on April 27, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified to correct date of service on 5/16/2016 (KGM). (Entered: 05/13/2016)

May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

PACER
26

*SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Declaration of Service re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS upon Prescott City Court on April 27, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified to correct date of service on 5/16/2016 (KGM). (Entered: 05/13/2016)

May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

PACER
27

*SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Declaration of Service re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS upon City of Prescott on April 27, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified to correct date of service on 5/16/2016 (KGM). (Entered: 05/13/2016)

May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

PACER
28

*SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Declaration of Service re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS upon Jon Paladini on April 27, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified to correct date of service on 5/16/2016 (KGM). (Entered: 05/13/2016)

May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

PACER
29

*SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Declaration of Service re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS upon Andy Reinhardt on April 27, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified to correct date of service on 5/16/2016 (KGM). (Entered: 05/13/2016)

May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

PACER
30

*SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Declaration of Service re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS upon GLENN SAVONA on April 27, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified to correct date of service on 5/16/2016 (KGM). (Entered: 05/13/2016)

May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

PACER
31

*SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Declaration of Service re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS upon YAVAPAI COUNTY on April 27, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified to correct date of service on 5/16/2016 (KGM). (Entered: 05/13/2016)

May 13, 2016

May 13, 2016

PACER
32

SERVICE EXECUTED filed by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn: Affidavit of Process re: SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, SEE PROOFS FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS upon Sheila Polk on May 9, 2016. (Kaighn, Gregory R) (Entered: 05/15/2016)

May 15, 2016

May 15, 2016

PACER
33

*STRICKEN by Doc. 34 - NOTICE re: NOTICE OF KIDNAPPING OF GARRETT RICHARD KAIGHN by Gregory R Kaighn, Janis Kaighn . (Kaighn, Gregory R) *Modified on 6/1/2016 (CLB). (Entered: 05/22/2016)

May 22, 2016

May 22, 2016

PACER
34

ORDER that the Clerk of Court shall strike the "Notice of Kidnapping" 33 . Plaintiffs are warned that any future filing that is not authorized by the federal or local rules will also be stricken. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if Plaintiffs continue to file unauthorized documents, sanctions may be issued for failure to comply with the Court's Orders and the governing rules pursuant to Rule 83.1(f)(3) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. Signed by Judge Steven P. Logan on 6/1/16. (CLB) (Entered: 06/01/2016)

June 1, 2016

June 1, 2016

PACER
35

ORDER that no action will be taken by the Court with regard to Plaintiffs' email or attachment. Any communication concerning matters before the Court must be done in writing and filed with the Clerk of Court. That Plaintiffs are advised that any further improper or prohibited ex parte communication with the Court will result in sanctions. Signed by Judge Steven P. Logan on 6/1/16. (CLB) (Entered: 06/01/2016)

June 1, 2016

June 1, 2016

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Arizona

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 25, 2016

Closing Date: April 27, 2016

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Individual voters in Prescott, Arizona

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State of Arizona, State

United States of America, Federal

City of Prescott, City

Yavapai County (Yavapai), County

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Supremacy Clause

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Voting:

Challenges to at-large/multimember district/election

Election administration

Voting: General & Misc.