Isaiah Clifton Gaines v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

I. BACKGROUND

On December 4, 2024, Plaintiff filed a complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court (the “Complaint”). (Dkt. No. 1-1.) The Complaint named Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“LA Metro”), Metro Transit Enforcement Security Officer Arana (“Arana”), Metro Transit Enforcement Security Officer Lira (“Lira”), and Los Angeles Police Department Detective Acosta (“Acosta”) as defendants. (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 1.) The Complaint alleges that while riding the Los Angeles Metro subway, Plaintiff was stopped by two Metro Officers, Arana and Lira, who then used excessive force to remove Plaintiff from the train and were aided by LAPD officers, including Acosta. (Dkt. No. 1-1 at 8-10.) The Complaint alleges the following claims: (1) Right to be Secure from Unreasonable Seizures; (2) Assault on the Person; and (3) Punitive Damages.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES – GENERAL

Case No.: 2:25-01255 KK (ADS) Date: May 1, 2025 Title: Isaiah Clifton Gaines v. Los Angeles Cnty. Metro. Transp. Auth., et al. Specifically, relevant here, the First Cause of Action states, Plaintiff was seized by Defendants…