TIEDEMANN v. MITCHELL (2019)

MEMORANDUM **

Federal prisoner Kenneth Daniel Tiedemann appeals pro se from the district court’s judgment dismissing his action brought 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), alleging equal protection and substantive due process claims. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo a dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Wilhelm v. Rotman, 680 F.3d 1113, 1118 (9th Cir. 2012). We affirm in part, vacate in part, and remand.

The district court properly dismissed Tiedemann’s equal protection claim for injunctive relief because Tiedemann failed to allege facts sufficient to state a plausible claim that he was intentionally treated differently from others similarly situated, and that there was no rational basis for the different treatment. See Vill. of Willowbrook v. Olech, 528 U.S. 562, 564, 120 S.Ct. 1073, 145 L.Ed.2d 1060 (2000) (per curiam) (elements of an equal protection “class of one” claim); Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 341-42 (9th Cir. 2010) (although pro se pleadings are liberally construed, a plaintiff must allege facts sufficient to state a plausible claim).

The district court erred by analyzing Tiedemann’s due process claim for injunctive relief as a procedural due process claim under Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 115 S.Ct. 2293, 132 L.Ed.2d 418 (1995). Tiedemann alleged a substantive due process claim predicated on his fundamental liberty interest in a relationship with his children. We vacate the judgment on this claim and remand for the district court to consider in the first instance whether the allegations “are sufficient to warrant ordering [defendants] to file an answer.” Wilhelm, 680 F.3d at 1116. On remand, the district court may also wish to consider whether, liberally construing the operative complaint, Tiedemann alleged a First Amendment freedom of association claim. See Overton v. Bazzetta, 539 U.S. 126, 131-37, 123 S.Ct. 2162, 156 L.Ed.2d 162 (2003) (applying factors set forth in Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78, 107 S.Ct. 2254, 96 L.Ed.2d 64 (1987), to prisoners’ claims challenging prison regulation affecting alleged right of association). In light of our disposition, we express no opinion on the dismissal of Tiedemann’s claims for damages under Bivens, which Tiedemann may appeal upon the district court’s entry of judgment on his claims for injunctive relief.

AFFIRMED in part, VACATED in part, and REMANDED.