Buckingham v. Federal Bureau of Prisons

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA 10 NANI LOVE BUCKINGHAM f/n/a BRIAN P. BUCKINGHAM, CASE NO. 2:25-CV-701-RSM-DWC Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 12 v. SEAL AND DENYING MOTION TO COMPEL EXPEDIATED DISCOVERY 13 FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS, et al., 14 Defendant.

15 Plaintiff Nani Love Buckingham, formerly known as Brian P. Buckingham, proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, filed this civil rights action under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388, 91 S.Ct. 1999, 29 L.Ed.2d 619 (1971).

18 Plaintiff filed a Motion to Seal and a Motion to Compel Expediated Discovery. Dkts. 4, 12.

19 Plaintiff first requests the Court seal documents containing Plaintiff’s sensitive mental health treatment information. Dkt. 4. Plaintiff did not comply with the Local Civil Rules when seeking leave to file sealed documents. See LCR 5(g). However, the Court recognizes the documents Plaintiff requests be sealed are sensitive in nature. Therefore, at this time, Plaintiff’s Motion to Seal (Dkt. 4) is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s documents containing mental health treatment information (Dkt. 5) shall remain under seal.

3 Plaintiff also requests the Court allow him to conduct discovery on Defendant Pam Bondi to obtain identifying information for several doe defendants. Dkt. 12. On April 22, 2025, the Court granted Plaintiff’s motion to appoint counsel and directed the pro bono coordinator to identify counsel to represent Plaintiff. Dkt. 13. The Court finds counsel would be better suited to address any discovery issues. Therefore, Plaintiff’s Motion to Compel Expediated Discovery (Dkt. 12) is DENIED without prejudice.

9 Dated this 23rd day of April, 2025.

A David W. Christel United States Magistrate Judge