Card v. Christel

[7] UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT [8] WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA [10] TONY LAMAR CARD, CASE NO. 3:25-cv-05213-DGE [11] Plaintiff, NOTICE OF INTENT TO ENTER 12 v. BAR ORDER 13 NICHOLAS W. BROWN, 14 Defendant. [15] 16 I INTRODUCTION 17 This matter is before the Court on its own motion. Pro se plaintiff Tony Lamar Card has 18 filed at least 22 cases in this District since August 2023. Twenty-one of those cases have already 19 been dismissed as duplicative, frivolous, or otherwise without merit. The remaining case has a 20 pending Report and Recommendation (R&R) to dismiss the case for the same reasons. 21 For the reasons discussed below, this Order informs Card of the Court’s intention to enter 22 an Order barring him from commencing similar vexatious litigation in this District. [24] 1 II PROCEDURAL HISTORY 2 This is a brief overview of each of the 20 cases Card has filed in this District that have 3 been dismissed: 4 1. Card v. King County Superior Court et al, Case No. 2:23-cv-01343-JCC, filed 5 August 23, 2023. Card initiated litigation against the Pierce County Superior 6 Court and its agents alleging unlawful arrest and unlawful “kidnapping” of his 7 “boy (offspring),” and seeking immediate return. (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 5–6.)1 The 8 Court identified that Plaintiff’s claims were likely barred by judicial immunity 9 and were otherwise not clearly stated, and ordered him to file an amended 10 complaint. (Dkt. No. 7.) Plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which included 11 524 pages of exhibits. (Dkt. No. 8.) The Court found that the amended complaint 12 did not cure the deficiencies and also did not comply with Federal Rule of Civil 13 Procedure 8 because it did not contain a “short” or “plain statement” of the 14 claims. (Dkt. No. 10 at 2.) On October 12, 2023, the Court dismissed the 15 complaint without prejudice. (Id., Dkt. No. 11.) More than a year later, on April 16 23, 2025, Plaintiff filed a Notice of “Unlawful action” and on May 1, 2023 a 17 “Judicial Notice and Freedom of Information Act Request,” both of which make 18 incoherent allegations of impropriety and treason. (Dkt. Nos. 12, 13.) The notice [21] 1 Plaintiff’s complaint is signed with a fingerprint in what appears to be red ink. (See Case No. 2:23-cv-01343-JCC, Dkt. Nos. 1-1 at 2, 7; 1-2 at 8; 1-3 at 6.) Fingerprints like this appear across [22] multiple dockets. Plaintiff’s papers also frequently feature a coat of arms (see e.g., Case No. 2:23-cv-01343-JCC, Dkt. No. 8-1 at 1.) Plaintiff refers to himself as “Sui Juris, Jus Soli” (see [23] e.g, Case No. 3:25-cv-05219-TMC, Dkt. No. 1-1 at 1). He states that he “no longer consents to be governed.” (See e.g., Case No. 2:23-cv-01343-JCC, Dkt. No. 12 at 14.) [24] 1 warns judges that the death penalty applies to treason. (See Dkt. No. 12 at 10.) 2 Plaintiff filed these same notices in numerous cases on the same date, see infra. 3 2. Card v. Tacoma Municipal Court et al, Case No. 3:23-cv-05781-DGE, filed 4 August 29, 2023. This case, filed the same date as the above action, makes 5 identical accusations. (See Dkt. No. 1-1.) Plaintiff filed an amended complaint 6 seeking an “immediate injunction” against the Tacoma Municipal Court and All 7 City Bail Bonds. (Dkt. No. 4 at 9.) He also filed exhibits, totaling more than 100 8 pages in length. (Dkt. Nos. 5, 6.) A Magistrate Judge found that the amended 9 complaint failed to comply with Rule 8 as it did not provide a short, plain 10 statement of the claim, but granted leave to amend. (Dkt. No 9.) Plaintiff did not 11 file an amended complaint but instead a “Lawful Notice” accusing the Magistrate 12 Judge of treason. (Dkt. No. 12 at 2.) Because Plaintiff did not file an amended 13 complaint, the Magistrate Judge issued a Report and Recommendation (R&R) 14 dismissing the claim (Dkt. No. 13.) Plaintiff filed objections styled as an 15 “Affidavit of Truth” (Dkt. No. 14) and another “Lawful Notice” (Dkt. No. 15.) 16 This Court adopted the R&R, finding that the objections were “difficult, if not 17 impossible, to follow” and did not address the deficiencies in the complaint. (Dkt. 18 No. 16 at 2.) After dismissal, Plaintiff continued to file a Demand for Injunction 19 (Dkt. No. 19), Demand for Immediate Impeachment (Dkt. No. 20), Claim Against 20 Unlawful Action (Dkt. No. 21) and Judicial Notice and Freedom of Information 21 Act Request (Dkt. No. 22.) 22 3. Card v. Leupold, 3:23-cv-06152-TMC, filed December 14, 2023. Plaintiff 23 initiated this action against a Magistrate Judge who had ruled against him, stating [24] 1 “I am simply loading the bases for the grand slam in hopes to find an honest judge 2 to keep around after the other’s see military tribunals in ‘GITMO’ for their 3 treason[.]” (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 3.) The complaint is 172 pages long, mostly 4 comprising irrelevant recitations of various laws. (See id.) Another Magistrate 5 Judge issued an R&R holding that the defendant was immune from suit, the 6 complaint stated no clear claim against him, and leave to amend would be futile. 7 (Dkt. No. 4.) On January 5, 2024, the Court adopted the R&R and dismissed the 8 case with prejudice. (Dkt. Nos. 6, 7.) Plaintiff subsequently filed a “Lawful 9 Notice” alleging treason (Dkt. No. 8), a Demand for Immediate Injunction (Dkt. 10 No. 9), and a Demand for Immediate Impeachment (Dkt. No. 10.) In 2025, 11 Plaintiff filed additional notices. (Dkt. Nos. 11, 12.) 12 4. Card v. Christel et al, 3:24-cv-05005-SAB, filed January 2, 2024. Plaintiff 13 initiated this case against various judges of this District who had ruled against 14 him. (Dkt. No. 1.) The Court found that Plaintiff’s complaint was barred by 15 judicial immunity, and was not supported by any facts, and dismissed it with 16 prejudice. (Dkt. No. 7.) Plaintiff filed a Demand for Immediate Injunction (Dkt. 17 No. 6), and a Demand for Immediate Impeachment (of 96 pages in length) (Dkt. 18 No. 8.) In 2025, Plaintiff filed additional notices. (Dkt. Nos. 10, 11.) 19 5. Card v. Tacoma Municipal Court et al, 3:24-cv-05007-DGE, filed January 2, 20 2024. Plaintiff again sued the Tacoma Municipal Court alleging false arrest and 21 kidnapping. (Dkt. No. 1 at 5.) Plaintiff filed a “Lawful Notice” making 22 allegations against judges of the district, the Clerk of Court, and the Clerk’s staff, 23 (Dkt. No. 4) and demands for injunction (Dkt. No. 5) and impeachment (Dkt. No. [24] 1 6.) This Court dismissed the complaint without prejudice because Plaintiff did 2 not submit an in forma pauperis (IFP) application and did not pay the filing fee. 3 (Dkt. No. 8.) In 2025, Plaintiff filed additional notices. (Dkt. Nos. 9, 10.) 4 6. Card v. Hillman, 3:24-cv-05764-DGE, filed September 10, 2024. Plaintiff sued 5 King County Sheriff Luke Hillman and King County SWAT alleging unlawful 6 arrest, trespass, and kidnapping. (Dkt. No. 1.) A Magistrate Judge found that 7 Plaintiff’s complaint failed to state a claim under Rule 8 but afforded leave to 8 amend. (Dkt. No. 4.) Plaintiff filed an “Affidavit of Truth” stating that as to 9 judges who find his filings fail to comply with Rule 8, “you are either in dishonor 10 or completely retarded as it does not get any more cut and dry of a specific 11 complaint[.]” (Dkt. No. 5 at 2.) He also filed a notice alleging that judges in the 12 District are guilty of treason. (Dkt. No. 6.) The Magistrate Judge issued an R&R 13 dismissing the complaint, finding that Plaintiff’s various filings still failed to 14 comply with Rule 8 or state facts to support a claim. (Dkt. No. 8.) On December 15 5, 2024, this Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 9.) In 2025, Plaintiff filed 16 various notices. (Dkt. Nos. 11, 12.) 17 7. Card v. All City Bail Bonds, 3:24-cv-05802-LK, filed September 24, 2024. 18 Plaintiff alleged criminal trespass against All City Bail Bonds. (Dkt. No. 1.) A 19 Magistrate Judge found that Plaintiff qualified for IFP status but that his 20 complaint failed to state a claim. (Dkt. No. 7.) Plaintiff filed a “Notice” which 21 included an image of paper envelopes addressed to various judges of this District 22 and an accusation that failure to respond would constitute criminal conspiracy. 23 (Dkt. No. 9 at 2–3.) The Court dismissed the complaint, finding Plaintiff had not [24] 1 stated any basis for jurisdiction, but afforded leave to amend. (Dkt. No. 10.) 2 Plaintiff did not amend his complaint by the deadline, so on December 18, 2024 3 the case was dismissed without prejudice. (Dkt. No. 11.) In 2025, Plaintiff filed 4 additional notices. (Dkt. Nos. 13, 14.) 5 8. Card v. Pierce County Sheriffs Department et al, 3:24-cv-05814-DGE, filed 6 September 26, 2024. Plaintiff initiated suit against a Pierce County Sheriff’s 7 Deputy and two King County Superior Court judges, alleging that the deputy was 8 leaving him unwanted voicemails and the judges did not recognize that “I do not 9 consent to be governed.” (Dkt. No. 1-1.) The Court found that Plaintiff 10 financially qualified for IFP status but that his complaint did not state a basis for 11 jurisdiction and did not comply with Rule 8, but afforded leave to amend. (Dkt. 12 No. 5.) Plaintiff filed an “Affidavit of Truth,” (Dkt. No. 4) and a document 13 accusing judges of treason (Dkt. No. 7) but no amended complaint. A Magistrate 14 Judge issued an R&R dismissing the complaint (Dkt. No. 9), which this Court 15 adopted on February 27, 2025. (Dkt. No. 10). Plaintiff subsequently filed 16 additional notices. (Dkt. Nos. 12, 13.) 17 9. Card v. Pierce County Sheriff's Department et al, 3:24-cv-05837-TL, filed 18 September 24, 2024. Plaintiff brought suit against two sheriff’s deputies alleging 19 false arrest. (Dkt. No. 1-1.) A Magistrate Judge found that Plaintiff qualified for 20 IFP status but likely failed to state a claim. (Dkt. No. 4.) Plaintiff again filed an 21 identical complaint. (Dkt. No. 5.) The Court dismissed the complaint, finding 22 Plaintiff had not cited any basis for jurisdiction and provided no facts to support 23 his claim, but allowed 31 days leave to amend. (Dkt. No. 6.) Plaintiff filed an [24] 1 “Affidavit of Truth,” and other notices (Dkt. Nos. 7, 8, 9) but no amended 2 complaint. On December 11, 2024, the Court dismissed for failure to prosecute. 3 (Dkt. No. 10.) Plaintiff subsequently filed additional notices. (Dkt. Nos. 12, 13.) 4 10. Card v. Owens, 3:24-cv-05839-DGE, filed October 1, 2024. Plaintiff initiated suit 5 against Cherie Ownes, who he alleged “has conspired with Luke Hillman to 6 kidnap my offspring and go into hiding with him.” (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 5.) A 7 Magistrate Judge found the complaint was deficient because Plaintiff failed to 8 state any factual information to support the claim, but granted leave to amend. 9 (Dkt. No. 4.) Plaintiff then filed an “Affidavit of Truth,” a miscellaneous 10 document, and other notice, making various allegations. (Dkt. Nos. 5, 6, 7.) The 11 Magistrate issued an R&R dismissing the case for failure to amend. (Dkt. No. 8.) 12 This Court then adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 9.) Plaintiff subsequently filed a 13 “Claim Against Unlawful Action – Fundamental Error” and other notices. (Dkt. 14 Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14.) 15 11. Card v. Kohl, 3:24-cv-05883-DGE, filed October 18, 2024. Plaintiff initiated suit 16 against Amy Kohl of the Washington Department of Social and Health Services 17 alleging that “I have had money stoled [sic] from me without my consent or 18 lawful court order.” (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 5.) A Magistrate Judge found Plaintiff’s 19 complaint was deficient, in that it “[i]t is unclear how his claims [about stolen 20 money] relate to Defendant Kohl,” but afforded leave to amend. (Dkt. No. 4 at 3.) 21 Plaintiff filed a letter directed to the clerk stating that the case should be 22 recaptioned to include the Department of Social and Health Services in the 23 caption, but still not providing any factual support for the allegation. (See Dkt. [24] 1 No. 5.) The Magistrate Judge issued an R&R dismissing the complaint, finding 2 that Plaintiff had failed to amend and his letter “does not address the deficiencies 3 of his proposed complaint or otherwise respond to the Court’s Order.” (Dkt. No. 6 4 at 2.) This Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 7.) Plaintiff subsequently filed 5 additional notices (Dkt. Nos. 9, 10.) 6 12. Card v. Fricke, 3:24-cv-05902-DGE, filed October 25, 2024. Plaintiff filed this 7 case against a Magistrate Judge in this district, alleging that she was 8 “impersonating a magistrate judge” and asserting that “sending documents not 9 signed in legal capacity hold no weight and conspire to deprive me of my rights.” 10 (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 2, 5.) A different Magistrate Judge issued an R&R finding that 11 the complaint was deficient because the sole defendant has judicial immunity, and 12 dismissing with prejudice and without leave to amend. (Dkt. No. 5.) This Court 13 adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 6.) Plaintiff subsequently filed a “Claim Against 14 Unlawful Action – Fundamental Error” and another notice. (Dkt. Nos. 7, 8.) 15 13. Card v. Subramanian, 3:24-cv-05911-JNW, filed October 29, 2024. Plaintiff 16 initiated this case against the Clerk of Court, whom he accused of “impersonating 17 a federal court clerk,” asserting that the clerk was “sending documents not signed 18 in legal capacity or providing court seal [that] hold no weight and conspire[ing] to 19 deprive me of my rights under color of law.” (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 2, 5.) A Magistrate 20 Judge found that Plaintiff financially qualified for IFP status but that his 21 complaint was likely deficient. (Dkt. No. 4.) The Court dismissed for failure to 22 state a claim, but afforded leave to amend. (Dkt. No. 6.) Plaintiff filed a notice 23 that did not respond to the Court’s order, and the Court dismissed the complaint [24] 1 with prejudice. (Dkt. No. 7, 8.) Plaintiff subsequently filed notices. (Dkt. Nos. 9, 2 10.) 3 14. Card v. Christel, 3:24-cv-05932-BHS, filed November 7, 2024. Plaintiff initiated 4 suit against a Magistrate Judge of this District, whom he termed a “dishonorable 5 court judge” and accused of “sending documents not signed in judicial capacity or 6 providing court seal.” (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 2, 5.) A different Magistrate Judge issued 7 an R&R to dismiss the case with prejudice, finding that the claim was not 8 supported in law or fact and was barred by judicial immunity. (Dkt. No. 4.) This 9 Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 5.) Plaintiff filed subsequent notices. (Dkt. 10 Nos. 7, 8.) 11 15. Card v. Subramanian, 3:24-cv-05933-TMC, filed November 7, 2024. Plaintiff 12 filed another case against the Clerk of Court, making essentially identical 13 allegations to Card v. Subramanian, 3:24-cv-05911-JNW. A Magistrate Judge 14 issued an R&R to dismiss the case as frivolous, finding it was barred by judicial 15 immunity. (Dkt. No. 4.) The Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 5.) Plaintiff 16 filed subsequent notices. (Dkt. Nos. 7, 8.) 17 16. Card v. Brown, 3:25-cv-05213-DGE, filed March 13, 2025. Plaintiff initiated this 18 action against Nicholas Brown, the Attorney General of Washington. Plaintiff 19 alleged that Brown received a document and “refused to respond to it,” and 20 sought a writ of habeas corpus “returning my son that was unlawfully kidnapped.” 21 (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 5.) A Magistrate Judge issued an R&R to dismiss the complaint 22 with prejudice and without leave to amend, finding that it did not state a claim and 23 had no factual basis. (Dkt. No. 4.) Plaintiff filed two documents titled “Claim [24] 1 Against Unlawful Action,” and one “Judicial Notice and Freedom of Information 2 Act Request.” (Dkt. Nos. 5, 6, 7.) The Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 8.) 3 17. Card v. Oaks, 3:25-cv-05214-TMC, filed March 13, 2025. This is the first in a 4 series of five nearly identical cases filed on the same date, see infra. Plaintiff 5 initiated suit against Lloyd D. Oaks, stating that Oaks is “[a] Judge of the Superior 6 Court of Pierce County that has failed to respond to documents[.]” (Dkt. No. 1-1 7 at 5.) Plaintiff again sought a “writ of habeas corpus returning my son that was 8 unlawfully kidnapped[.]” (Id.) A Magistrate Judge issued an R&R to dismiss the 9 complaint with prejudice and without leave to amend, finding that the claim was 10 barred by judicial immunity and that Plaintiff failed to state basic facts such as 11 “who sent the documents, what type of documents were sent, the nature of any 12 proceedings before Judge Oaks, or how Judge Oaks’ failure to respond was in fact 13 a violation of Plaintiff’s civil rights.” (Dkt. No. 4 at 3.) The Court adopted the 14 R&R. (Dkt. No. 5.) Plaintiff subsequently filed various notices. (Dkt. Nos. 7, 8, 15 9.) 16 18. Card v. Kiesel, 3:25-cv-05215-TMC, filed March 13, 2025. This is second in a 17 series of identical cases filed on the same date. Plaintiff initiated the suit against 18 “[a] Judge of the Superior Court of Pierce County that has failed to respond to 19 documents” and sought a “writ of habeas corpus returning my son that was 20 unlawfully kidnapped[.]” (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 5.) A Magistrate Judge issued an R&R 21 to dismiss the case with prejudice and without leave to amend, finding that the 22 claim was barred by judicial immunity and not supported by any facts. (Dkt. No. [24] 1 4.) The Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 6.) Plaintiff subsequently filed 2 various notices. (Dkt. Nos. 8, 9, 10.) 3 19. Card v. Sorenson, 3:25-cv-05216-TMC, filed March 13, 2025. This is the third 4 nearly identical case filed on the same date against a judge of the Pierce County 5 Superior Court for failure to respond to documents. (See Dkt. No. 1-1.) A 6 Magistrate Judge issued an R&R to dismiss the case with prejudice and without 7 leave to amend, finding it barred by judicial immunity and not supported by facts. 8 (Dkt. No. 4.) The Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 5.) Plaintiff filed four 9 different notices, including three “Claim[s] Against Unlawful Action” alleging 10 treason on the part of judges in the District. (Dkt. Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10.) 11 20. Card v. Henderson, 3:25-cv-05217-DGE, filed March 13, 2025. This is the fourth 12 nearly identical case against a judge of the Pierce County Superior Court. (See 13 Dkt. No. 1-1.) A Magistrate Judge issued an R&R to dismiss the case as barred 14 by judicial immunity and unsupported by fact. (Dkt. No. 4.) Plaintiff filed three 15 notices, including two “Claim[s] Against Unlawful Action.” (Dkt. Nos. 5, 6, 7.) 16 The Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 8.) 17 21. Card v. Blinn, 3:25-cv-05218-TMC, filed March 13, 2025. This is the fifth in the 18 series of identical cases against judges of the Pierce County Superior Court. (See 19 Dkt. No. 1-1.) A Magistrate Judge issued an R&R to dismiss the case with 20 prejudice. (Dkt. No. 4.) The Court adopted the R&R. (Dkt. No. 6.) Plaintiff 21 filed four notices including three “Claim[s] Against Unlawful Action.” (Dkt. 22 Nos. 5, 8, 9, 10.) [24] 1 22. As of this date, Plaintiff has one case currently pending, Card v. Bamford et al., 2 3:25-cv-05219-TMC, filed March 13, 2025. Plaintiff alleges that Defendants 3 entered his property without permission and are attempting to foreclose on the 4 property, threatening and displacing his “guests.” (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 5.) A 5 Magistrate Judge issued an R&R to dismiss the case but afforded leave to amend 6 the complaint. (Dkt. No. 4.) The R&R finds that to the extent Plaintiff is 7 asserting a civil rights claim, his complaint failed to state a basis for state action 8 that would make a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 viable. (Id. at 4–5.) To the 9 extent Plaintiff intended to plead a state law claim, he did not assert a basis for 10 jurisdiction. (See id. at 5–6.) Plaintiff filed a letter seeking default judgment 11 (Dkt. No. 5), and two other notices (Dkt. Nos. 6, 7) but did not file an amended 12 complaint. On May 7, 2025, the Magistrate Judge issued an R&R to dismiss the 13 complaint for failure to prosecute because Plaintiff failed to file an amended 14 complaint. (Dkt. No. 8.) That R&R is noted for May 21, 2025. (Id.) 15 III DISCUSSION 16 District courts have the inherent power to enter pre-filing orders against vexatious 17 litigants under The All Writs Acts, 28 U.S.C. § 1651 (a). Molski v. Evergreen Dynasty Corp., [18] 500 F.3d 1047, 1057 (9th Cir. 2007) (“Under the power of 28 U.S.C. § 1651 (a), enjoining 19 litigants with abusive and lengthy histories is one such form of restriction that the district court 20 may take.”). Although such orders should be used sparingly, “[f]lagrant abuse of the judicial 21 process cannot be tolerated because it enables one person to preempt the use of judicial time that 22 properly could be used to consider the meritorious claims of other litigants.” De Long v. 23 Hennessey, 912 F.2d 1144, 1148 (9th Cir. 1990). [24] 1 In the Ninth Circuit, a vexatious litigant order may be entered when (1) the litigant has 2 received notice and a chance to be heard before the order is entered, (2) there is an adequate 3 record for review, (3) the litigant’s actions are frivolous or harassing, and (4) the vexatious 4 litigant order is “narrowly tailored to closely fit the specific vice encountered.” De Long, 912 5 F.2d at 1147-48; Molski, 500 F.3d at 1057 . 6 The first two factors are procedural, while the “latter two factors . . . are substantive 7 considerations . . . [that] help the district court define who is, in fact, a ‘vexatious litigant’ and 8 construct a remedy that will stop the litigant’s abusive behavior while not unduly infringing the 9 litigant’s right to access the courts.” Molski, 500 F.3d at 1058 . 10 A. Notice and Opportunity to be Heard. 11 The first factor requires that an individual has fair notice of the possibility that they may 12 be declared a vexatious litigant, and further, that they be given an opportunity to oppose the 13 order before it is entered. Id. at 1147, 1058 . This does not require the court to hold an in-person 14 hearing, as “the opportunity to brief the issue fully satisfies due process requirements.” Reddy v. 15 MedQuist, Inc., No. 12-cv-1324-PSG, 2012 WL 6020010 , at *3 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 3, 2012) 16 (quoting Molski, 500 F.3d at 1058 ); see Gavin v. City & Cty. of S.F., No. 15-CV-05202-EMC, [17] 2016 WL 126937 , at *2 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 12, 2016) (holding opportunity to file a written 18 opposition satisfies first De Long factor; collecting cases). This Order is notice to Card that the 19 Court intends to enter a bar Order, and it provides him an opportunity to submit a written 20 response before a pre-filing Order is potentially entered against him. 21 B. Adequate Record for Review. 22 An adequate record for review should include a listing of all the cases and motions that 23 lead the district court to conclude that a vexatious litigant order is needed. De Long, 912 F.2d at 24 1 1147 (citing Martin–Trigona v. Lavien, 737 F.2d 1254, 1260 (2d Cir. 1984)). At a minimum, the 2 record should show that the litigant’s activities are numerous or abusive. De Long, 912 F.2d at 3 1147. 4 The Court has described above each of Card’s 22 cases, their procedural history, and 5 Card’s relentless filing of improper, incomprehensible, and irrelevant motions and other 6 documents, his failure to follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and his refusal or inability 7 to comply with court Orders. The Court has outlined the consistent dismissal of his meritless and 8 repetitive complaints for failure to state a plausible claim. 9 C. Frivolous or Harassing Filings. 10 The third De Long factor “gets to the heart of the vexatious litigant analysis,” see Molski, [11] 500 F.3d at 1059 , and requires the district court to look to “both the number and content of the 12 filings as indicia” of the frivolousness of the litigant’s claims, De Long, 912 F.2d at 1148 . “An 13 injunction cannot issue merely upon a showing of litigiousness. The plaintiff’s claims must not 14 only be numerous, but also be patently without merit.” Molski, 500 F.3d at 1059 . 15 Because this factor requires substantive consideration, courts look toward a separate set 16 of considerations that provide a “helpful framework”: 17 (1) the litigant’s history of litigation, and in particular whether it entailed vexatious, harassing, or duplicative lawsuits; (2) the litigant’s motive in pursuing the litigation, in 18 other words, whether the litigant has an objective good faith expectation of prevailing; (3) whether the litigant is represented by counsel; (4) whether the litigant has caused 19 needless expense to other parties or has posed an unnecessary burden on the courts and their personnel; and (5) whether other sanctions would be adequate to protect the courts 20 and other parties. [21] Id. at 1058 . These five substantive factors help determine whether a party is a vexatious litigant 22 and, if so, the sanction that is required to stop the vexatious litigation. Id. (citing Safir v. U.S. 23 Lines, Inc., 792 F.2d 19 , 24 (2nd Cir. 1986)). The final consideration—whether other remedies [24] 1 would be adequate to protect the courts and other parties—is particularly important. Ringgold 2 Lockhart v. Cnty. of Los Angeles, 761 F.3d 1062 (9th Cir. 2014). 3 Card’s pervasive filings demonstrate that he is a vexatious litigant. He has filed 22 4 actions since 2023, of which 21 have been dismissed already for failure to state a claim, and the 5 last of which has a pending R&R for the same. See Johns v. Los Gatos, 834 F. Supp. 1230 , 1232 6 (N.D. Cal. 1993) (entering vexatious litigant order against a plaintiff who had filed five similar 7 actions over a period of ten years). Each of his cases involve numerous notices and exhibits, 8 sometimes hundreds of pages in length, which contain irrelevant information, rambling thoughts, 9 and harassing or threatening language directed at judges of this District. Card’s central 10 complaint is a serious matter, an alleged kidnapping of his son, but across 22 different cases Card 11 has failed to articulate facts supporting a viable claim. Rather, his frequent reference to a family 12 court matter suggests that if Card lost custody of his son, it was through lawful process. Card’s 13 filings are often highly duplicative—typified by the 5 identical cases he filed on March 13, 2025 14 against various judges of the Pierce County Superior Court, each barred by judicial immunity. 15 And when Card has faced dismissal of his claims, he has chosen not to respond through the 16 avenue often provided to him—leave to amend his complaint with instructions as to what would 17 be needed to assert viable claims—and has instead resorted to threats, with frequent reference to 18 impeachment (a process that the courts have no control over), treason, or even execution. On 19 this record, the first and second factors weigh heavily in favor of a bar order. 20 Card’s vexatious litigation has been a drain on this Court’s resources. Each of the 22 21 cases, and their voluminous notices and exhibits, has required review by the Clerk’s Office, 22 Magistrate Judges, District Judges, and the staff of each of these units. Card has abused the in 23 forma pauperis process, designed to allow litigants an opportunity to have their claims heard [24] 1 regardless of resources. At the same time, the Court finds that other sanctions, including 2 monetary fines, would be punitive and ineffectual. Card has repeatedly qualified for IFP status 3 due to his lack of assets, meaning he has no funds to pay a fine, and his history of litigation 4 suggests that a fine would not deter him from filing more baseless claims. None of Card’s cases 5 has ever involved representation of counsel, and none have been served to defendants. The third, 6 fourth, and fifth factors weigh in favor of a bar order, and the Court finds that nothing short of a 7 bar order would adequately redress Card’s vexatious conduct. 8 D. Narrowly Tailored. 9 The final factor requires that a pre-filing order be narrowly tailored to the vexatious 10 litigant’s wrongful behavior. Molski, 500 F.3d at 1061 . “Narrowly tailored orders are needed ‘to 11 prevent infringement of the litigator’s right of access to the courts.”’ De Long, 912 F.2d at 1148 12 (citing Sires v. Gabriel, 748 F.2d 49, 51 (1st Cir. 1984)). The pre-filing restriction must fit the 13 plaintiff’s specific practices. See, e.g., Wood v. Santa Barbara Chamber of Com., Inc., 705 F.2d 14 1515, 1525 (9th Cir. 1983) (the injunction must describe in reasonable detail the act or acts 15 sought to be restrained). 16 The problem the Court seeks to address with this bar order is Card’s repeated, frivolous, 17 and harassing litigation. The bar order is no less and no greater than the remedy needed to deal 18 with that specific problem. 19 IV ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE 20 Based on these findings and a thorough review of the record, the Court ORDERS 21 Plaintiff Card to SHOW CAUSE in writing why the Court should not issue a Bar Order finding 22 him to be vexatious litigant and ending his ability to file additional such cases pro se in this 23 District. Such a Bar Order specifically would include the following restrictions: [24] 1 1) Card is prohibited from filing any pro se civil action in the Western District of 2 Washington unless the complaint or petition is accompanied by an affidavit signed under penalty 3 of perjury attesting and demonstrating that the complaint contains new allegations not previously 4 litigated. Card may not proceed in forma pauperis in civil action without a showing that he is in 5 imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. Any proposed complaint or petition not 6 accompanied by such an affidavit or a showing imminent danger will not be filed. This is true 7 whether Card pays a filing fee, or not. 8 2) The Clerk will initially file any of Card’s future pro se complaints and/or in forma 9 pauperis applications in a miscellaneous case specifically designated for this purpose. The Clerk 10 shall open a miscellaneous case, In re Tony Lamar Card, for this purpose, and shall file this 11 Order in that new miscellaneous case. The Court will screen each proposed filing to determine 12 whether it shall be filed. 13 3) The Clerk will not issue summonses in any pro se action Card attempts to file in this 14 District without prior approval of the Court. 15 4) The Court may dismiss any future pro se complaint, and deny any motions for in 16 forma pauperis status, upon a finding that the complaint suffers from the same defects outlined 17 above, or is otherwise without merit, without issuing an order to show cause or permitting Card 18 to file an amended complaint. 19 5) This pre-filing screening will not apply to any filing made in this District where Card 20 is represented by counsel. Any such complaint accompanied by a filing fee may immediately 21 receive a civil number. The Court will nevertheless sua sponte dismiss any such filing that is 22 facially frivolous. [24] 1 The Clerk shall file this Notice of Intent to Enter a Bar Order in each of the 22 cases Card 2 has filed in this district. 3 Plaintiff Card’s Response to this Order is due no later than June 3, 2025 and may not 4 exceed 12 pages. He may file it in this case or any other, but he need not file it in each case. No 5 motions, attachments, exhibits, statements, or supporting documentation will be considered. If 6 Card continues with the sorts of filings she has made so far, the Court will enter the Bar Order 7 restricting his ability to file any pro se cases in this District. The failure to file a response will 8 also result in the issuance of a Bar Order. 9 The Clerk shall calendar this event. 10 SO ORDERED. 11 Dated this 13th day of May, 2025. [12] a [13] David G. Estudillo 14 United States District Judge