Case: Lopera v. Town of Coventry

1:08-cv-00123 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Filed Date: April 7, 2008

Closed Date: 2011

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 7, 2008, twelve individuals, all represented by private counsel, filed a civil rights lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island against the town of Coventry and individual members of the town's police force (Police). Plaintiffs brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and state law alleging denial of due process and equal protection, unreasonable search and seizure, invasion of privacy, racial profiling and race/national origin intimidation.Specifically, plaintiffs, Hispanic member…

On April 7, 2008, twelve individuals, all represented by private counsel, filed a civil rights lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island against the town of Coventry and individual members of the town's police force (Police). Plaintiffs brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and state law alleging denial of due process and equal protection, unreasonable search and seizure, invasion of privacy, racial profiling and race/national origin intimidation.

Specifically, plaintiffs, Hispanic members of the Central Falls High School boys soccer team, claimed that they were treated improperly when traveling to Coventry, a predominately white neighborhood, for a high school soccer game. When the game was over, members of the home team stopped the Central Falls coach and accused his team of stealing electronic devices from the locker room. The coach searched his players' bags but found nothing. The police arrived on the scene, blocking the team's bus, and asked the coach if they could search the players. The coach consented. The police searched the boys' property as members of the Coventry community looked on and shouted racist epithets and accused the boys of theft. The search lasted approximately one hour and none of the allegedly stolen items were found.

On September 9, 2009, the district court (Judge William Smith) granted defendants' motion for summary judgment on the basis of qualified immunity. The district court held that the plaintiffs could not overcome qualified immunity in their claims. On the Fourth Amendment claim, the court found plaintiffs' case to be insufficient to overcome qualified immunity because the police officers did not violate the plaintiffs' clearly established rights, because the coach may have been acting in loco parentis when he consented to the police officers' request to search members of the team and their belongings. The court also held that the plaintiffs' invasion of privacy claim arose out of conduct for which the police officers were immune from suit. On the Equal Protection claim, the court held that the plaintiffs failed to show that the officers had a racial motive, even if they exhibited poor judgment in searching the boys in front of an angry crowd; for the same reasons, the court granted summary judgment for the defendants on the plaintiffs' state racial profiling claim. Finally, the court held there was insufficient evidence for plaintiffs' claim of supervisory and municipal liability.

Plaintiffs appealed to the First Circuit. On April 1, 2011, the Circuit Court (Chief Judge Lynch, Judge Selya, and Judge Thompson) upheld the district court's grant of summary judgment. The appellate court found that the officers' conduct was subject to qualified immunity. As to the plaintiffs' Fourth Amendment and state privacy claims, the court found that it was not unreasonable for the officers to consider the coach's consent to search the team. The court also held that the plaintiffs could not overcome qualified immunity on their equal protection and state discrimination claims.

Summary Authors

Marcy Blattner (2/21/2015)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4379564/parties/lopera-v-town-of-coventry/


Judge(s)

Lynch, Sandra Lea (Massachusetts)

Martin, David L. (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bejma, Vicki J. (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Defendant

Corcoran, Karen K. (Rhode Island)

DeSisto, Marc (Rhode Island)

Judge(s)

Lynch, Sandra Lea (Massachusetts)

Martin, David L. (Rhode Island)

Selya, Bruce Marshall (Rhode Island)

Smith, William E. (Rhode Island)

Thompson, Ojetta Rogeriee (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Plaintiff

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:08-cv-00123

Docket [PACER]

June 2, 2011

June 2, 2011

Docket
1

1:08-cv-00123

Complaint and Jury Trial Demand

April 7, 2008

April 7, 2008

Complaint
24

1:08-cv-00123

Complaint and Jury Trial Demand

Dec. 29, 2008

Dec. 29, 2008

Complaint
25

1:08-cv-00123

Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment

March 10, 2009

March 10, 2009

Pleading / Motion / Brief
28

1:08-cv-00123

Plaintiff's Objection to Motion for Summary Judgment

April 27, 2009

April 27, 2009

Pleading / Motion / Brief
31

1:08-cv-00123

Defendants' Supplemental Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment

June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

Pleading / Motion / Brief
34

1:08-cv-00123

Plaintiffs' Reply to Defendants' Supplemental Memorandum

July 16, 2009

July 16, 2009

Pleading / Motion / Brief
35

1:08-cv-00123

Opinion

Sept. 9, 2009

Sept. 9, 2009

Order/Opinion

652 F.Supp.2d 652

36

1:08-cv-00123

Judgment

Sept. 11, 2009

Sept. 11, 2009

Order/Opinion
00116004296

09-02386

Brief for Plaintiffs-Appellants

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Jan. 19, 2010

Jan. 19, 2010

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4379564/lopera-v-town-of-coventry/

Last updated April 12, 2024, 3:09 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Town of Coventry, Kevin P Harris, Kevin Kennedy, David Nelson, Stephen A Michailides, Brian J. O'Rourke, Ronald E DaSilva ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 68415.), filed by William Ruiz, Pedro Hernandez, Luis E Ardila-Lazaro, Brian Ocampo, Stephen Patino, Juan Lopera, Joulder Salazar, Milton Jr Ricuarte, Marlon Giraldo, Mauricio Espinal, Hector Cardona, Steven Giraldo. (Attachments: # (1) Civil Cover Sheet)(Baldinelli, Doreen)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

April 7, 2008

April 7, 2008

RECAP
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Marc DeSisto on behalf of all defendants (DeSisto, Marc)

April 24, 2008

April 24, 2008

RECAP
3

ANSWER to [1] Complaint, by Town of Coventry, Kevin P Harris, Kevin Kennedy, David Nelson, Stephen A Michailides, Ronald E DaSilva, Brian J O'Rourke.(DeSisto, Marc)

April 24, 2008

April 24, 2008

RECAP
4

NOTICE of Hearing: Rule 16 Conference set for 6/10/2008 at 9:30 AM in Judge Smith Chambers before Judge William E Smith. (Baldinelli, Doreen)

April 24, 2008

April 24, 2008

RECAP
5

RULE 16 STATEMENT by all plaintiffs. (Bejma, Vicki)

June 4, 2008

June 4, 2008

RECAP
6

PRETRIAL ORDER. All fact discovery must be completed by 11/10/08; dispositive motions must be filed by 11/10/08; pretrial memoranda are due 30 days after a decision on any dispositive motions, or if no dispositive motions are filed, by 11/24/08. So Ordered by Judge William E Smith on 6/9/08. (Marseglia, Patricia)

June 9, 2008

June 9, 2008

RECAP
7

STIPULATION regarding acceptance of service by all parties. (Bejma, Vicki)

June 12, 2008

June 12, 2008

RECAP
8

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ORDER AND NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE, ( Settlement Conference set for 7/1/2008 02:00 PM in Magistrate Judge Martin Chambers - Room P-285 before Magistrate Judge David L. Martin.). So Ordered by Magistrate Judge David L. Martin on 6/18/08. (Saucier, Martha)

June 18, 2008

June 18, 2008

RECAP
9

MOTION for an Extension of Time Continue Settlement Conference, MOTION to Continue by all plaintiffs. Responses due by 7/17/2008 (Bejma, Vicki)

June 30, 2008

June 30, 2008

RECAP
10

STIPULATION re [3] Answer to Complaint by all parties. (DeSisto, Marc)

Aug. 5, 2008

Aug. 5, 2008

RECAP
11

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Luis E Ardila-Lazaro. Town of Coventry served on 4/14/2008, answer due 5/5/2008. (Bejma, Vicki)

Aug. 8, 2008

Aug. 8, 2008

RECAP
12

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Luis E Ardila-Lazaro. Ronald E DaSilva served on 4/9/2008, answer due 4/29/2008. (Bejma, Vicki)

Aug. 8, 2008

Aug. 8, 2008

RECAP
13

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Luis E Ardila-Lazaro. Stephen A Michailides served on 4/9/2008, answer due 4/29/2008. (Bejma, Vicki)

Aug. 8, 2008

Aug. 8, 2008

RECAP
14

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Luis E Ardila-Lazaro. Kevin P Harris served on 4/9/2008, answer due 4/29/2008. (Bejma, Vicki)

Aug. 8, 2008

Aug. 8, 2008

RECAP
15

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Luis E Ardila-Lazaro. David Nelson served on 4/9/2008, answer due 4/29/2008. (Bejma, Vicki)

Aug. 8, 2008

Aug. 8, 2008

RECAP
16

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Luis E Ardila-Lazaro. Kevin Kennedy served on 7/30/2008, answer due 8/19/2008. (Bejma, Vicki)

Aug. 8, 2008

Aug. 8, 2008

RECAP
17

STIPULATION Enlarging time by all parties. (Bejma, Vicki)

Aug. 25, 2008

Aug. 25, 2008

RECAP
18

STIPULATION by all parties. (Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 09/30/2008)

Sept. 30, 2008

Sept. 30, 2008

TEXT ORDER ENTERING 18 Stipulation filed by Town of Coventry, Brian J O'Rourke, Luis E Ardila−Lazaro, Milton Jr Ricuarte, Brian Ocampo, Stephen Patino, Steven Giraldo, William Ruiz, Ronald E DaSilva, Joulder Salazar, Mauricio Espinal, Kevin Kennedy, Stephen A Michailides, Kevin P Harris, Pedro Hernandez, David Nelson, Marlon Giraldo, Hector Cardona, Juan Lopera. Plaintiffs shall have up to and including 10/14/2008 to file their objections and responses to the Defendants' Interrogatories. So Ordered by Judge William E Smith on 10/1/2008. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 10/01/2008)

Oct. 1, 2008

Oct. 1, 2008

19

NOTICE of Appearance by Karen K. Corcoran on behalf of all defendants (Corcoran, Karen) (Entered: 10/01/2008)

Oct. 1, 2008

Oct. 1, 2008

20

Assented MOTION for an Extension of Time Extended Existing Deadline under Existing Pretrial Order by all defendants. Responses due by 10/20/2008 (Corcoran, Karen) (Entered: 10/01/2008)

Oct. 1, 2008

Oct. 1, 2008

TEXT ORDER granting 20 Motion for Extension of Time. All fact discovery must be completed by 1/10/09; dispositive motions must be filed by 1/10/09; pretrial memoranda are due 30 days after a decision on any dispositive motions, or if no dispositive motions are filed, by 1/24/09. So Ordered by Judge William E Smith on 10/7/2008. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 10/07/2008)

Oct. 7, 2008

Oct. 7, 2008

21

MOTION to Amend/Correct Complaint with supporting memo by all plaintiffs. Responses due by 12/8/2008 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1)(Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 11/19/2008)

Nov. 19, 2008

Nov. 19, 2008

Motion Forwarded to Chambers 21 MOTION to Amend/Correct Complaint FORWARDED to Chambers of Judge William E. Smith. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 12/11/2008)

Dec. 11, 2008

Dec. 11, 2008

TEXT ORDER granting 21 Motion to Amend/Correct. So Ordered by Judge William E Smith on 12/12/2008. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 12/12/2008)

Dec. 12, 2008

Dec. 12, 2008

22

ANSWER to Complaint (Amended) by Town of Coventry, Kevin P Harris, Kevin Kennedy, David Nelson, Stephen A Michailides, Ronald E DaSilva, Brian J O'Rourke.(DeSisto, Marc) (Entered: 12/15/2008)

Dec. 15, 2008

Dec. 15, 2008

23

MOTION for an Extension of Time to Complete Discovery by all plaintiffs. Responses due by 1/9/2009 (Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 12/23/2008)

Dec. 23, 2008

Dec. 23, 2008

Motion Forwarded to Chambers 23 MOTION for an Extension of Time to Complete Discovery FORWARDED to Chambers of Judge William E. Smith. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 12/23/2008)

Dec. 23, 2008

Dec. 23, 2008

24

AMENDED COMPLAINT against all defendants, filed by Luis E Ardila−Lazaro.(Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 12/29/2008)

Dec. 29, 2008

Dec. 29, 2008

TEXT ORDER granting 23 Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery. All fact discovery must be completed by 3/10/09; dispositive motions must be filed by 3/10/09; pretrial memoranda are due 30 days after a decision on any dispositive motions, or if no dispositive motions are filed, by 3/24/09. So Ordered by Judge William E Smith on 12/29/2008. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 12/29/2008)

Dec. 29, 2008

Dec. 29, 2008

25

MOTION for Summary Judgment with supporting memo and exhibit by all defendants. Responses due by 3/27/2009 (DeSisto, Marc) (Entered: 03/10/2009)

March 10, 2009

March 10, 2009

26

STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED FACTS by all defendants re 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment. (DeSisto, Marc) (Entered: 03/10/2009)

March 10, 2009

March 10, 2009

27

MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment by all plaintiffs. Responses due by 4/13/2009 (Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 03/27/2009)

March 27, 2009

March 27, 2009

TEXT ORDER granting 27 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply re 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment. Responses due by 4/27/2009. So Ordered by Judge William E Smith on 4/1/2009. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 04/01/2009)

April 1, 2009

April 1, 2009

28

RESPONSE in Opposition re 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment with supporting memo filed by all plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J, # 11 Exhibit K, # 12 Exhibit L, # 13 Exhibit M, # 14 Exhibit N)(Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 04/27/2009)

April 27, 2009

April 27, 2009

29

STATEMENT OF DISPUTED FACTS by all plaintiffs. (Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 04/27/2009)

April 27, 2009

April 27, 2009

30

STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED FACTS by all plaintiffs. (Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 04/27/2009)

April 27, 2009

April 27, 2009

Motion Forwarded to Chambers 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment FORWARDED to Chambers of Judge William E. Smith. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 04/28/2009)

April 28, 2009

April 28, 2009

NOTICE of Hearing on Motion 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment : Motion Hearing set for 6/3/2009 at 9:30 AM in Courtroom 2 before Judge William E Smith. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 04/29/2009)

April 29, 2009

April 29, 2009

REVISED NOTICE of Hearing on Motion 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment : Motion Hearing RESET for 5/26/2009 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 2 before Judge William E Smith. (Geile, Wendy) (Entered: 05/05/2009)

May 5, 2009

May 5, 2009

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge William E Smith: Motion Hearing held on 5/26/2009 re 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Ronald E DaSilva, Town of Coventry, Stephen A Michailides, Brian J O'Rourke, Kevin P Harris, David Nelson, Kevin Kennedy. Vicki Bejma for Plaintiff. Marc DeSisto for Defendants. All counsel of record present. Court addresses. Arguments heard as to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment; Court takes matter under advisement. Defense Counsel to file a supplemental memo re: the Monel Claim; Plaintiff can file a reply. (Court Reporter Anne Clayton in Courtroom 2 at 11:09 am.) (Smith, Rana) (Entered: 05/26/2009)

May 26, 2009

May 26, 2009

31

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM by all defendants in support of 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment. (DeSisto, Marc) (Entered: 06/09/2009)

June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

32

STIPULATION by all parties. (Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 06/15/2009)

June 15, 2009

June 15, 2009

33

ORDER Entering 32 Stipulation filed by Town of Coventry, Brian J O'Rourke, Luis E Ardila−Lazaro, Milton Jr Ricuarte, Brian Ocampo, Stephen Patino, Steven Giraldo, William Ruiz, Ronald E DaSilva, Joulder Salazar, Mauricio Espinal, Kevin Kennedy, Stephen A Michailides, Kevin P Harris, Pedro Hernandez, David Nelson, Marlon Giraldo, Hector Cardona, Juan Lopera. So Ordered by Judge William E. Smith on 6/23/09. (Jackson, Ryan) (Entered: 06/25/2009)

June 24, 2009

June 24, 2009

Reset Deadlines: Plaintiffs' Response to 31 SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM by all defendants in support of 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment due by 7/17/2009 (Jackson, Ryan) (Entered: 06/25/2009)

June 25, 2009

June 25, 2009

34

RESPONSE to Motion re 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment (Supplemental) filed by all plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit O, # 2 Exhibit P, # 3 Exhibit Q, # 4 Exhibit R)(Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 07/16/2009)

July 16, 2009

July 16, 2009

36

JUDGMENT in favor of Town of Coventry, Brian J O'Rourke, David Nelson, Kevin Kennedy, Kevin P Harris, Ronald E DaSilva, Stephen A Michailides against Brian Ocampo, Hector Cardona, Joulder Salazar, Juan Lopera, Luis E Ardila−Lazaro, Marlon Giraldo, Mauricio Espinal, Milton Jr Ricuarte, Pedro Hernandez, Stephen Patino, Steven Giraldo, William Ruiz. So Ordered by Deputy Clerk; Ryan H. Jackson on 9/11/09. (Jackson, Ryan) (Entered: 09/11/2009)

Sept. 11, 2009

Sept. 11, 2009

35

DECISION AND ORDER granting 25 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by all defendants. So Ordered by Judge William E. Smith on 9/9/09. (Jackson, Ryan)

Sept. 11, 2009

Sept. 11, 2009

RECAP
35

DECISION AND ORDER granting 25 Motion for Summary Judgment filed by all defendants. So Ordered by Judge William E. Smith on 9/9/09. (Jackson, Ryan)

Sept. 11, 2009

Sept. 11, 2009

RECAP
37

NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 35 Order on Motion for Summary Judgment, 36 Judgment, by Luis E Ardila−Lazaro. Appeal Record due by 11/4/2009. (Bejma, Vicki) (Entered: 10/05/2009)

Oct. 5, 2009

Oct. 5, 2009

USCA Appeal Fees received $ 455 receipt number 14670002002 re 37 Notice of Appeal filed by Luis E Ardila−Lazaro (Smith, Rana) (Entered: 10/05/2009)

Oct. 5, 2009

Oct. 5, 2009

38

APPEAL COVER SHEET Re: 37 Notice of Appeal filed by Luis E Ardila−Lazaro (Smith, Rana) (Entered: 10/06/2009)

Oct. 6, 2009

Oct. 6, 2009

39

CLERK'S CERTIFICATE RE: Record on Appeal re 37 Notice of Appeal (Smith, Rana) (Entered: 10/06/2009)

Oct. 6, 2009

Oct. 6, 2009

40

Certified and Transmitted Abbreviated Record on Appeal to US Court of Appeals re 37 Notice of Appeal (Smith, Rana) (Entered: 10/06/2009)

Oct. 6, 2009

Oct. 6, 2009

USCA Case Number 09−2386 for 37 Notice of Appeal filed by Luis E Ardila−Lazaro. (Smith, Rana) (Entered: 10/07/2009)

Oct. 6, 2009

Oct. 6, 2009

41

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST for proceedings held on 5/26/2009 before Judge William E. Smith. (Smith, Rana) (Entered: 10/16/2009)

Oct. 16, 2009

Oct. 16, 2009

42

TRANSCRIPT of Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment filed for date of May 26, 2009 before Judge William E. Smith, re 37 Notice of Appeal. Court Reporter/Transcriber Anne M. Clayton, Telephone number 401−255−2310. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER Redaction Request due 11/25/2009. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 12/7/2009. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 2/2/2010. (Clayton, Anne) (Entered: 11/04/2009)

Nov. 4, 2009

Nov. 4, 2009

43

SLIP OPINION of USCA as to 37 Notice of Appeal filed by Luis E Ardila−Lazaro (Jackson, Ryan) (Entered: 04/05/2011)

April 1, 2011

April 1, 2011

44

USCA JUDGMENT as to 37 Notice of Appeal filed by Luis E Ardila−Lazaro; the Judgment of the District Court is AFFIRMED (Jackson, Ryan) (Entered: 04/05/2011)

April 1, 2011

April 1, 2011

45

MANDATE of USCA as to 37 Notice of Appeal filed by Luis E Ardila−Lazaro (Urizandi, Nisshy) (Entered: 06/02/2011)

June 2, 2011

June 2, 2011

Case Details

State / Territory: Rhode Island

Case Type(s):

Policing

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 7, 2008

Closing Date: 2011

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are individual high school students on their school soccer team

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Town of Coventry, City

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Unreasonable search and seizure

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Racial profiling

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

National Origin/Ethnicity:

Hispanic