Case: United States v. Party for Socialism and Liberation New Jersey

2:25-cv-16049 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Filed Date: Sept. 29, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.) The United States of America, through the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, brought this civil action seeking damages and injunctive relief pursuant to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act), 18 U.S.C. § 248, against Defendants Party for Socialism and Liberation-New Jersey (PSL), American Muslims for Palestine-New Jersey (AMP),Tova Fry a/k/a Terry Kay, Altaf Sharif, Matt Dragon, Eric Camins, Jane Doe, and John…

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.)

The United States of America, through the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, brought this civil action seeking damages and injunctive relief pursuant to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act), 18 U.S.C. § 248, against Defendants Party for Socialism and Liberation-New Jersey (PSL), American Muslims for Palestine-New Jersey (AMP),Tova Fry a/k/a Terry Kay, Altaf Sharif, Matt Dragon, Eric Camins, Jane Doe, and John Doe (collectively defendants). The Trump administration accused the pro-Palestinian groups and several activists of violently disrupting an event at a West Orange synagogue in the complaint that starkly contrasts to the events as recounted by Essex County prosecutors.

The DOJ alleged that on November 13, 2024, the defendants engaged in a coordinated effort to intimidate and disrupt Jewish worshipers at a religious event held at the synagogue Congregation Ohr Torah, in West Orange, New Jersey. The complaint states that  The FACE Act, 18 U.S.C. § 248(a)(2), provides federal jurisdiction to protect access to places of religious worship by prohibiting conduct that “intentionally injures, intimidates, or interferes with . . . any person lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship.”

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71486283/parties/united-states-v-party-for-socialism-and-liberation-new-jersey/


Judge(s)

Hayden, Katharine Sweeney (New Jersey)

Attorney for Plaintiff

GROSS, JONATHAN (New Jersey)

Attorney for Defendant

BOHN, THEODORE R. (New Jersey)

FRY, JULIE (New Jersey)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:25-cv-16049

Complaint

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71486283/united-states-v-party-for-socialism-and-liberation-new-jersey/

Last updated Jan. 17, 2026, 12:20 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against PARTY FOR SOCIALISM AND LIBERATION NEW JERSEY, AMERICAN MUSLIMS FOR PALESTINE NEW JERSEY, TOVA FRY, ALTAF SHARIF, MATT DRAGON, ERIC CAMINS, JANE DOE, JOHN DOE, with JURY DEMAND, filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons)(GROSS, JONATHAN) Modified on 9/29/2025 (wh). (Entered: 09/29/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Summons

View on RECAP

3 Summons

View on RECAP

4 Summons

View on RECAP

5 Summons

View on PACER

6 Summons

View on PACER

7 Summons

View on RECAP

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

SUMMONS ISSUED as to AMERICAN MUSLIMS FOR PALESTINE NEW JERSEY, ERIC CAMINS, MATT DRAGON, TOVA FRY, PARTY FOR SOCIALISM AND LIBERATION NEW JERSEY, ALTAF SHARIF. Attached is the official court Summons, please fill out Defendant and Plaintiffs attorney information and serve. (wh) (Entered: 09/29/2025)

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

RECAP

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

Case assigned to Judge Katharine S. Hayden and Magistrate Judge Jose R. Almonte. (jr)

Sept. 29, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

3

SUMMONS Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AMERICAN MUSLIMS FOR PALESTINE NEW JERSEY served on 12/3/2025, answer due 12/24/2025. (GROSS, JONATHAN) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP
4

SUMMONS Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ERIC CAMINS served on 12/3/2025, answer due 12/24/2025. (GROSS, JONATHAN) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP
5

SUMMONS Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. MATT DRAGON served on 12/3/2025, answer due 12/24/2025. (GROSS, JONATHAN) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP
6

SUMMONS Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. TOVA FRY served on 12/8/2025, answer due 12/29/2025. (GROSS, JONATHAN) (Entered: 12/16/2025)

Dec. 16, 2025

Dec. 16, 2025

RECAP
7

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ALTAF SHARIF waiver sent on 12/10/2025, answer due 2/9/2026. (GROSS, JONATHAN) (Entered: 12/18/2025)

Dec. 18, 2025

Dec. 18, 2025

RECAP
8

Letter to Judge Hayden from AMERICAN MUSLIMS FOR PALESTINE NEW JERSEY re Request for Extension of Time to Respond. (Received via ADS) (mj) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Dec. 19, 2025

Dec. 19, 2025

RECAP
9

Application and Proposed Order for Clerk's Order to extend time to answer as to Eric Camins.. (BOHN, THEODORE) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

RECAP
10

Application and Proposed Order for Clerk's Order to extend time to answer as to Matthew Dragon.. (BOHN, THEODORE) (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

RECAP
11

NOTICE of Appearance by THEODORE R. BOHN on behalf of ERIC CAMINS (BOHN, THEODORE) (Main Document 11 replaced on 12/29/2025) (mj, ). (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

RECAP
12

Application and Proposed Order for Clerk's Order to extend time to answer as to Eric Camins.. (BOHN, THEODORE) (Main Document 12 replaced on 12/29/2025) (mj, ). (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

RECAP
13

Application and Proposed Order for Clerk's Order to extend time to answer as to Matthew Dragon.. (BOHN, THEODORE) (Main Document 13 replaced on 12/29/2025) (mj, ). (Entered: 12/23/2025)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

RECAP

Update Answer Due Deadline

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

Clerk`s Text Order - The document 10 Application for Clerk's Order to Ext Answer/Proposed Order, 9 Application for Clerk's Order to Ext Answer/Proposed Order submitted by MATT DRAGON, ERIC CAMINS has been DENIED. Please review what is needed for approval and refer to our website https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/sites/njd/files/forms/application%20for%20extension% 20of%20time_1.pdf (arm)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

14

Letter from Theodore Bohn. (BOHN, THEODORE) (Entered: 12/24/2025)

Dec. 24, 2025

Dec. 24, 2025

RECAP

CLERK'S QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE - The 12, 13 Application and Proposed Order for Clerk's Order to extend time to answer filed by THEODORE BOHN on 12/23/2025 was uploaded prior to being flattened. Before uploading fillable forms to ECF you must flatten the file to prevent other users from manipulating or editing the information. The easiest way to flatten a PDF form is by selecting Print to PDF and saving the flattened form, other PDF software may differ. Please visit our website under Flattening PDF Forms for guidance. Your document has been corrected. This message is for informational purposes only. (mj)

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

Update Answer Due Deadline

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

Clerk`s Text Order - The document 13 Application for Clerk's Order to Ext Answer, 12 Application for Clerk's Order to Ext Answer submitted by MATT DRAGON, ERIC CAMINS on 12/23/2025 has been DENIED because the application fails to specify relief being sought. (mj)

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

QC - Fillable PDF

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

CLERK'S QUALITY CONTROL MESSAGE - The 11 NOTICE of Appearance filed by THEODORE BOHN on 12/23/2025 was uploaded prior to being flattened. Before uploading fillable forms to ECF you must flatten the file to prevent other users from manipulating or editing the information. The easiest way to flatten a PDF form is by selecting Print to PDF and saving the flattened form, other PDF software may differ. Please visit our website under Flattening PDF Forms for guidance. Your document has been corrected. This message is for informational purposes only. (mj)

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

15

LETTER ORDER Granting request for an extension of time to file response to the Complaint from 12/24/2025 to 2/9/2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jose R. Almonte on 12/30/2025. (kes, ) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

RECAP
16

LETTER ORDER Granting request for an extension of thirty days to answer or otherwise move. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jose R. Almonte on 12/30/2025. (kes, ) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

RECAP
17

NOTICE of Appearance by JULIE FRY on behalf of TOVA FRY (FRY, JULIE) (Entered: 01/04/2026)

Jan. 4, 2026

Jan. 4, 2026

18

APPLICATION/PETITION for by TOVA FRY. (FRY, JULIE) (Entered: 01/04/2026)

Jan. 4, 2026

Jan. 4, 2026

19

ORDER granting extension of time until 2/20/2026 for Defendant TOVA FRY to answer, move, or otherwise reply to the Complaint. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jose R. Almonte on 1/5/2026. (mlh) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

Jan. 5, 2026

Jan. 5, 2026

RECAP
20

First MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Ronald Kuby by TOVA FRY. (FRY, JULIE) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

Set/Reset Motion and R&R Deadlines/Hearings

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

Set Deadlines as to 20 First MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Ronald Kuby. Motion set for 2/17/2026 before Magistrate Judge Jose R. Almonte. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, this motion will be decided on the papers and no appearances are required. Note that this is an automatically generated message from the Clerk`s Office and does not supersede any previous or subsequent orders from the Court. (adc, )

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

21

TEXT ORDER: The Court is in receipt of Defendant Tova Fry's ("Defendant") motion to admit counsel pro hac vice at Dkt. No. 20 . The Court notes that the supporting certification does not include whether all other appearing parties consent to Mr. Ronald Kuby's admission. Further, the hyperlinks contained within the supporting certification are insufficient; the motion must contain "the name and address of the official or office maintaining the roll of such members of its bar." The motion is administratively terminated and may be refiled with this information for the Court's consideration. So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Jose R. Almonte on 1/13/2026. (akw, ) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

Jan. 13, 2026

Jan. 13, 2026

22

Letter from Theodore Bohn. (BOHN, THEODORE) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

Jan. 13, 2026

Jan. 13, 2026

RECAP

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Jan. 13, 2026

Jan. 13, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

New Jersey

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 29, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of New Jersey 2:25-cv-16049

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket