Ronald David Jones v. T. Bryant, 649 F. App'x 889 (11th Cir. 2016). · Go Syfert
Ronald David Jones v. T. Bryant, 649 F. App'x 889 (11th Cir. 2016). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“because the final amended complaint, on its face, indicated that officers bryant and centeno had sufficient probable cause, jones's third amended complaint failed to allege one of the required elements of both false arrest and malicious prosecution.”
26 citation events (26 in the last 25 years) across 7 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Johnson v. Liberty County, Georgia (gasd, 2020-06-16)
Treatment trajectory · 2017 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2017 2021 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 17 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Johnson v. Liberty County, Georgia
S.D. Ga. · 2020 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
because the final amended complaint, on its face, indicated that officers bryant and centeno had sufficient probable cause, jones's third amended complaint failed to allege one of the required elements of both false arrest and malicious prosecution.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Shaw v. City of Selma
S.D. Ala. · 2017 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
a claim for false arrest arises when an arrest occurs without a warrant and without probable cause
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ciara Dormeus v. Miami-Dade County; Luis Vasquez, Deputy Sheriff, Miami-Dade County, in his individual capacity; Bryan Portillo, Deputy Sheriff, Miami-Dade County, in his individual capacity; Pablo Buduen, Deputy Sheriff, Miami-Dade County, in his individual capacity; Dorain Heyliger, Deputy Sheriff, Miami-Dade County, in his individual capacity
S.D. Fla. · 2025 · confidence medium
See Richmond v. Badia, 47 F.4th 1172 , 1179 (11th Cir. 2022); Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016) (stating that a claim for false arrest under § 1983 “arises when an arrest occurs without a warrant and without probable cause”) (citing Brown v. City of Huntsville, Ala., 608 F.3d 724, 734 (11th Cir. 2010)); Gomez v. Lozano, 839 F. Supp. 2d 1309, 1314 (S.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rivera v. The City of Jacksonville (2×) also: Cited "see"
M.D. Fla. · 2024 · confidence medium
Id. at 5-6 (citing Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890-91 (11th Cir. 2016) and Hesed-El v. McCord, 829 F. App’x 469 , 472 (11th Cir. 2020)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sapp v. Burke County Detention Center
S.D. Ga. · 2023 · confidence medium
United States v. Phillips, 843 F.3d 1176, 1182 (11th Cir. 2016) (“[P]olice, armed with the warrant, had authority to find and seize [the defendant] anywhere they could find him for his failure to appear in court. . . [and] Defendant’s rights under the Fourth Amendment require no more”); Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016) (holding false arrest only arises when an arrest occurs without a warrant or probable cause); Brown v. City of Huntsville, Ala., 608 F.3d 724, 734 (11th Cir. 2010) (“[T]he existence of probable cause at the time of arrest is an absolute bar to a s…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Allen v. Pacheco
M.D. Fla. · 2020 · confidence medium
“In order to state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 , a plaintiff must allege that: (1) a person acting under color of state law; (2) deprived him or her of a right secured by the Constitution.” Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Allen v. Pacheco
M.D. Fla. · 2020 · confidence medium
“In order to state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 , a plaintiff must allege that: (1) a person acting under color of state law; (2) deprived him or her of a right secured by the Constitution.” Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ronald David Jones v. Keith Dowdell
11th Cir. · 2017 · confidence medium
Jones v. Brown, 649 Fed.Appx. 889, 890, 892 (11th Cir. 2016). 4 .In his brief, Plaintiff alleges that the harassment by the city includes attempts to kill him: *822 They use chemical and biological weapons against Plaintiff.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Eiras v. Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco
M.D. Fla. · 2017 · confidence medium
The Eleventh Circuit has “identified a false arrest as a violation of the Fourth Amendment and a viable claim under [Section] 1983.” Jones v. Brown, 649 Fed.Appx. 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016). 9 A false arrest is “defined as ‘the unlawful restraint of a person against his will, the gist of which action is the unlawful detention of the plaintiff and the deprivation of his liberty.’” Bartley v. Kim’s Enter. of Orlando, 568 Fed.Appx. 827, 834 (11th Cir. 2014) (citations omitted).
cited Cited "see" Lopez v. City of Opa-Locka
S.D. Fla. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016) (citing Ortega v. Christian, 85 F.3d 1521 , 1525–26 (11th Cir. 1996)).
cited Cited "see" Ohome v. The United States of America
N.D. Ga. · 2023 · signal: see · confidence high
See Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016) (citing Brown v. City of Huntsville, Ala., 608 F.3d 724, 734 (11th Cir. 2010)).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Head v. Bernard
M.D. Fla. · 2023 · signal: see also · confidence medium
A search or “[a]n arrest without a warrant and lacking probable cause violates the [Fourth Amendment] and can underpin a § 1983 claim . . . .” Brown v. City of Huntsville, 608 F.3d 724, 734 (11th Cir. 2010); see also Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016).7 The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and partic…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Smith v. Waffle House Inc. (MAG+)
M.D. Ala. · 2020 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016) (citing Mitchell, supra) (“We review the district court’s dismissal for failure to state a claim for which relief may be granted pursuant to § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) de novo, applying the same standards that govern Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6).”).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Lloyd v. Leeper
M.D. Fla. · 2020 · signal: see also · confidence medium
However, a search or “[a]n arrest without a warrant and lacking probable cause violates the [Fourth Amendment] and can underpin a § 1983 claim . . . .” Brown v. City of Huntsville, Ala., 608 F.3d 724, 734 (11th Cir. 2010); see also Jones v. Brown, 649 Fed.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Luckett v. Chambers
S.D. Ga. · 2020 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890-91 (11th Cir. 2016) (discussing elements for false arrest in § 1983 suit); Wood v. Kesler, 323 F.3d 872, 881 (11th Cir. 2003) (discussing malicious prosecution elements in § 1983 suit).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Lewis v. Antoine (MAG+)
M.D. Ala. · 2019 · signal: see also · confidence medium
“Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) standards govern [a court’s] review of dismissals under section 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii)[.]” Mitchell v. Farcass, 112 F.3d 1483, 1490 (11th Cir. 1997); see also Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016) (citing Mitchell, supra) (“We review the district court’s dismissal for failure to state a claim for which relief may be granted pursuant to § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) de novo, applying the same standards that govern Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6).”).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Smith v. Chick-Fil-A RSA Regions Tower (MAG+)
M.D. Ala. · 2019 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also Jones v. Brown, 649 F. App’x 889, 890 (11th Cir. 2016) (citing Mitchell, supra) (“We review the district court’s dismissal for failure to state a claim for which relief may be granted pursuant to § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) de novo, applying the same standards that govern Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6).”).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Ronald David JONES, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
Micah BROWN, Commissioner District Two, Et Al., Defendants, T. Bryant, Police Sargent, A. Centeno, Police Officer, Defendants-Appellees
16-10159.
Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
May 16, 2016.
649 F. App'x 889
Ronald David Jones, Quincy, FL, pro se.
Per Curiam, Rosenbaum, Tjoflat, Wilson.
Cited by 17 opinions  |  Unpublished  |  NEW
PER CURIAM:

In his third amended complaint, which he brought pro se and in forma pauperis, Ronald David Jones sought damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against T. Byant and A. Centeno, police officers in Quincy, Florida, for false arrest and malicious prosecution in violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. Acting sua sponte, the district court, adopted the magistrate judge’s recommendation and dismissed these claims with prejudice for failure to state a claim for relief. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). Jones appeals, arguing that he stated a claim against the officers for false arrest and malicious prosecution, stemming from an unsupported charge of theft of utility services.

We review the district court’s dismissal for failure to state a claim for which relief may be granted pursuant to § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) de novo, applying the same standards that govern Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). Mitchell v. Farcass, 112 F.3d 1483, 1490 (11th Cir.1997). Thus, we must view the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, accepting all of the plaintiffs well-pleaded facts as true. Am. United Life Ins. Co. v. Martinez, 480 F.3d 1043, 1056-67 (11th Cir.2007). Pro se pleadings are liberally construed and held to a less stringent standard than pleadings drafted by attorneys. Powell v. Lennon, 914 F.2d 1459, 1463 (11th Cir.1990). However, in order to survive a motion to dismiss, the plaintiffs complaint must contain facts sufficient to support a plausible claim to relief. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009).

In order to state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege that: (1) a person acting under color of state law; (2) deprived him or her of a right secured by the Constitution. 42 U.S.C. § 1983. We have previously identified false arrest as a violation of the Fourth Amendment and a viable claim under § 1983. Ortega v. Christian, 85 F.3d 1521, 1525-26 (11th Cir.1996). A claim for false arrest arises when an arrest occurs without a warrant and without probable cause. Brown v. City of Huntsville, Ala., 608 F.3d 724, 734 (11th Cir.2010). When an arrest warrant has been issued, a police officer is entitled to rely on the magistrate’s probable cause determination, as long as that reliance is objectively reasonable. See United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 922, 104 S.Ct. 3405, 3420-21, 82 L.Ed.2d 677 (1984). To establish probable cause, a police officer has no duty to investigate every possible claim of innocence. Rankin v. Evans, 133 F.3d 1425, 1435-36 (11th Cir.1998). However, “falsifying facts to establish probable cause is patently unconstitu[*891] tional.” Kingsland v. City of Miami, 382 F.3d 1220, 1232 (11th Cir.2004).

We have also identified malicious prosecution as a viable constitutional tort under § 1983. See Wood v. Kesler, 323 F.3d 872, 881 (11th Cir.2003). A plaintiff must prove the elements of the common law tort of malicious prosecution and that his or her Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizures was violated. Id. Florida law sets out six elements for a malicious prosecution claim: (1) an original judicial proceeding against the present plaintiff was commenced or continued; (2) the present defendant was the legal cause of the original proceeding; (3) the termination of the original proceeding constituted a bona fide termination of that proceeding in favor of the present plaintiff; (4) there was an absence of probable cause for the original proceeding; (5) there was malice on the part of the present defendant; and (6) the plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the original proceeding. Kingsland, 382 F.3d at 1234 (citing Durkin v. Davis, 814 So.2d 1246, 1248 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2002)). Thus, a plaintiff must allege that the defendant acted without probable cause as a required element of a malicious prosecution claim. Wood, 323 F.3d at 882.

Under Florida law, a person commits the offense of utility theft when he or she “use[s] or receive[s] the direct benefit from the use of a utility knowing, or under such circumstances as would induce a reasonable person to believe, that such direct benefits have resulted from any tampering with, altering of, or injury to any connection, wire, conductor, meter, pipe, conduit, line, cable, transformer, amplifier, or other apparatus or device owned, operated, or controlled by such utility, for the purpose of avoiding payment.” Fla. Stat. § 812.14(2)(c).

As to Officer Bryant, Jones alleged that Bryant acted pursuant to a warrant, yet Jones failed to allege facts indicating that a prudent officer in Bryant’s position would not have relied upon the arrest warrant. The only possible allegation was that Officer Bryant should not have relied on a warrant that was almost five years old, but that did not necessarily render the warrant facially invalid. See Pickens v. Hollowell, 59 F.3d 1203, (11th Cir.1995) (five year difference between issuance of arrest warrant for misdemeanor and arrest did not negate arguable probable cause). Without any arguments that the warrant was invalid on its face, we must assume that Officer Bryant was entitled to rely on the warrant’s probable cause determination. See Leon, 468 U.S. at 922, 104 S.Ct. at 3420-21.

Against Officer Centeno, Jones alleged that the utility company employees lied to Officer Centeno when they told him that Jones’s utilities should have been turned off, but Jones does not allegé that Officer Centeno should not have believed the employees. Jones’s specific allegations that Officer Centeno falsified information in his probable cause narrative, which he raised for the first time in his objections to the magistrate’s report, do not go far enough to negate probable cause. The only relevant allegation is that the lock tag on his utility meter was still in place, indicating that the meter had not been tampered with. However, tampering with a meter is not the only way to commit theft of utilities. See Fla. Stat. § 812.14(2)(c) (“... tampering with, altering of, or injury to any connection, wire, conductor, meter, pipe, conduit, line, cable, transformer, amplifier, or other apparatus or device ... ”) (emphasis added). Jones’s conclusory statement that Officer Centeno did not fully investigate the ease is without merit. Officer Centeno interviewed two utilities employees who told him that the utilities running to Jones’s house were turned off,[*892] and Officer Centeno attempted to verify independently that the utilities were nevertheless still running. Thus, Jones did not sufficiently allege in his final amended complaint that Officer Centeno did not have probable cause to suspect that utility theft had occurred.

Because the final amended complaint, on its face, indicated that Officers Bryant and Centeno had sufficient probable cause, Jones’s third amended complaint failed to allege one of the required elements of both false arrest and malicious prosecution.

AFFIRMED.