Nicholas v. Heffner, 228 F. App'x 139 (3rd Cir. 2007). · Go Syfert
Nicholas v. Heffner, 228 F. App'x 139 (3rd Cir. 2007). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
59 citation events (59 in the last 25 years) across 7 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Zackery J. Askins v. Laura A. Proffit, et al. (ksd, 2026-05-26)
Treatment trajectory · 2019 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2019 2022 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Zackery J. Askins v. Laura A. Proffit, et al.
D. Kan. · 2026 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Patric Gary Patterson v. Jeff Montagne, et al.
D. Kan. · 2026 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Allen Dean Washburn v. Tina Miller
D. Kan. · 2026 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Adam James Stugart v. Chad Wiebers and Omaha Police Department
D. Neb. · 2026 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order . . . the termination of employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Jamal Demante Keshune Ross v. Ricky Cloud
N.D. Fla. · 2025 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Tyron Elon Wagner v. Kansas Department of Corrections, et al.
D. Kan. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Gross v. Peterson
D. Kan. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Salmon v. Braun
D. Kan. · 2025 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
he district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Jenkins (ID 109454) v. Aramark Food Services
D. Kan. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Gross v. Peterson
D. Kan. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Welch v. Schnell
D. Neb. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order . . . the termination of employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Lammers v. County of Phelps NE
D. Neb. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order . . . the termination of employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Graham v. Saline County Jail
D. Kan. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Blackburn v. Reyes
D. Kan. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Daly v. Jones
D. Kan. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Vela (ID 107219) v. Stevens
D. Kan. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Adams (ID 117388) v. Kincaid
D. Kan. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Norey v. Kentrell
D. Kan. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) EWANS v. STATE OF NEW JERSEY
D.N.J. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Npimnee v. Andrews
D. Neb. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order . . . the termination of employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Baskin v. Fort Scott Police Department
D. Kan. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Tigue v. Pennsylvania State Police
M.D. Penn. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
nicholas's fourth amendment claim accrued when he appeared before a magistrate and was bound over for trial or arraigned on charges.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Rayburn v. Potter
D. Neb. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order . . . the termination of employment.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Hayes v. Houser
M.D. Penn. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
ultiple claims against a single party are fine, but claim a against defendant 1 should not be joined with unrelated claim b against defendant 2. unrelated claims against different defendants belong in different suits
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Neill v. Maag
D. Kan. · 2023 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Blackman v. Sedgwick County Jail
D. Kan. · 2023 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Dobbs (ID 109692) v. Messer
D. Kan. · 2023 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Hughes (ID 105577) v. Graham
D. Kan. · 2023 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Jackson (ID 85135) v. Lawrence Police Department
D. Kan. · 2023 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Blackman v. Sedgwick County Jail
D. Kan. · 2022 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Romero (ID 127925) v. Advanced Correctional Healthcare
D. Kan. · 2022 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Cooley v. (lnu)
D. Kan. · 2022 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
he district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Lewis v. Johnson County Adult Detention Center
D. Kan. · 2022 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Lowery v. Kansas, State of
D. Kan. · 2022 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Kidwell v. Smith
D. Kan. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Kidwell v. Menning
D. Kan. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Vigil (ID 68260) v. Davies
D. Kan. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Fernandez (ID 96419) v. Ahrens
D. Kan. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Belles v. Lasswell
D. Kan. · 2020 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Belles v. Lasswell
D. Kan. · 2020 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Husman (ID 75744) v. Brecken
D. Kan. · 2020 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Husman (ID 75744) v. Brecken
D. Kan. · 2019 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Hardesty v. Fay
D. Kan. · 2019 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Smith (ID 50867) v. Aramark
D. Kan. · 2019 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Hardesty v. Fay
D. Kan. · 2019 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the remaining relief requested is not available as the district court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Reid v. Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC
M.D. Penn. · 2025 · confidence medium
Brann Chief United States District Judge 4 Nicholas v. Heffner, 228 F. App’x 139, 141 (3d Cir. 2007).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) CUFF v. ZEE
D.N.J. · 2024 · confidence medium
Nicholas v. Heffner, 228 F. App'x 139, 141 (3d Cir. 2007). 6 Although Plaintiff alleges Defendants lacked probable cause to search the homes and vehicles of his family members, Plaintiff has not alleged any facts suggesting he has standing to bring Fourth Amendment claims on their behalf.
cited Cited "see" Justin M. Dynlacht v. Dr. Ralph Laughingwell, et al.
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · signal: see · confidence high
See Nicholas v. Heffner, 228 F. App’x 139, 141 (3d Cir. 2007) (per curiam) (“The District Court correctly denied injunctive relief.
discussed Cited "see" Dewald v. Franklin County Jail
M.D. Penn. · 2022 · signal: see · confidence high
See Nicholas v. Heffner, 228 F. App’x 139, 141 (3d Cir. 2007) (district court did not err in dismissing amended complaint setting forth new action against new defendants with new claims arising out of a set of operative facts unrelated to the factual claims in the original complaint); George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605 (7th Cir. 2007) (“[M]ultiple claims against a single party are fine, but Claim A against Defendant 1 should not be joined with unrelated Claim B against Defendant 2.
cited Cited "see" Flemming v. CoreCivic
D. Kan. · 2022 · signal: see · confidence high
See Nicholas v. Heffner, 228 Fed.Appx. 139, 141 (3rd Cir. 2007); McClendon v. Wilson, 2012 WL 1598068 *2 (E.D.Tenn. 5/7/12); Edwards v. Junious, 2011 WL 777963 *1 (E.D.Cal.2/25/11).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Edward J. NICHOLAS
v.
Donald HEFFNER, Badge 15, Harrisburg Police Department Zygmont Pines Marsha Stewart Lowell Witmer George Zozos John Doe, Harrisburg Police Station American Detective Agency James P. Barker Capitol Pavillion Thomas Corbett John Doe, Staff Member Rob Francis R. Filipi William Lowry, Supervisor of Parole Sentencing Commission Superior Court/Middle District United States Attorney General United States Judicial Counsel Michelle Zimmerman
No. 06-3919.
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mar 28, 2007.
228 F. App'x 139
Edward J. Nicholas, Albion, PA, pro se., James P. Barker, Office of District Attorney, Front & Market Streets, Dauphin County Courthouse, Harrisburg, PA, for Appellees.
Garth, Scirica, Weis.
Cited by 50 opinions  |  Published

OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Edward J. Nicholas, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, appeals an order of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania dismissing his civil rights complaint and denying his motion for temporary injunctive relief as moot. We will dismiss his appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).

On May 15, 1998, following a jury trial, Nicholas was convicted of aggravated assault and acquitted of one count of robbery and two counts of criminal conspiracy. He was sentenced to six and one-half years to twenty years in prison. In July 2006, Nicholas filed a civil rights action, which he later amended, alleging that the police falsely arrested him in 1997, and maliciously prosecuted and falsely imprisoned him in 1998, for aggravated assault, robbery and conspiracy, in violation of his right to due process. He alleged that the police forged police reports to effect a false arrest and tampered with witnesses. He also claimed that certain court administrators withheld documentation supporting his case. Nicholas sought various remedies, including damages, federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants, and the termination of their employment. On August 15, 2006, Nicholas attempted to file a Second Amended Complaint adding new defendants and new claims arising out of an incident that occurred in 2006, while he was on parole.

The District Court dismissed the Second Amended Complaint as improvidently filed[*141] and dismissed the Amended Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) as barred by the favorable termination rule announced in Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994). It denied Nicholas’s motions for injunctive relief and expedited service of process as moot. This appeal followed.

We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Nicholas has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. Because his appeal lacks arguable merit, we will dismiss it pursuant to § 1915(e)(2)(B)(I). See Allah v. Seiverling, 229 F.3d 220, 223 (3d Cir.2000).

The District Court did not err in dismissing Nicholas’s Second Amended Complaint. Had the Second Amended Complaint corrected a deficiency in the Amended Complaint, its allowance might have been required under Grayson v. Mayview State Hosp., 293 F.3d 103, 108 (3d Cir.2002), absent any equitable considerations or the futility of the amendment. Here, however, Nicholas alleged essentially a new action against new defendants with new claims arising out of a set of operative facts that are unrelated to the factual claims in the original or Amended Complaints.

The District Court properly dismissed Nicholas’s Amended Complaint under § 1915(e). To the extent Nicholas seeks damages for malicious prosecution, he has no cause of action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 absent a showing that his conviction has been reversed, expunged, declared invalid, or called into question by a federal court’s issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 486-87, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994). Nicholas’s habeas petitions in Civ. A. Nos. 05-01771 and 06-01245 were denied as barred by the statute of limitations, and there is no indication in the record that his convictions have otherwise been invalidated.

Assuming in Nicholas’s favor that his false arrest/imprisonment claim is not barred by Heck, the claim is barred, in any event, by the statute of limitations. See Montgomery v. DeSimone, 159 F.3d 120, 126 (3d Cir.1998). Where the statute of limitations defense is obvious from the face of the complaint and no development of the factual record is required to determine whether dismissal is appropriate, sua sponte dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 is permissible. See Fogle v. Pierson, 435 F.3d 1252, 1258 (10th Cir.2006). These requirements have been satisfied here. Nicholas’s Fourth Amendment claim accrued when he appeared before a magistrate and was bound over for trial or arraigned on charges. See Wallace v. Kato, — U.S. -, - - -, 127 S.Ct. 1091, 1095-97, 166 L.Ed.2d 973 (2007). Although the precise date upon which Nicholas was arraigned or otherwise bound over for trial is not in the record, it is certain that he was arraigned before his trial began in May 1998. Assuming in Nicholas’s favor that he was arraigned as late as the first day of trial, under the applicable two year statute of limitations, Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5524, he had until May 2000, to file a timely complaint. His complaint was filed in July 2006, well after the limitations period had expired.

The District Court correctly denied injunctive relief. The remaining relief requested is not available as the District Court lacks authority to order a federal investigation and prosecution of the defendants or the termination of their employment.

Accordingly, we will dismiss this appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Nicholas’s pending motions are denied.