Chelsea et al v. Ciobanu
| Florida Southern District Court | |
| Judge: | Rodolfo A Ruiz, II |
| Case #: | 1:25-cv-20557 |
| Nature of Suit | 360 Torts - Personal Injury - Other Personal Injury |
| Cause | 28:1331 Fed. Question: Personal Injury |
| Case Filed: | Feb 06, 2025 |
| Last checked: Thursday Feb 06, 2025 3:07 PM EST |
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Defendant
Stefan Ciobanu
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Plaintiff
Chelsea
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
Jenny
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
Maria
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
Sloane
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
Violet
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Represented By
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| Docket last updated: 11 hours ago |
| Thursday, February 20, 2025 | ||
| 10 | 10
order
Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief
Thu 02/20 4:47 PM
PAPERLESS ORDER granting 9 Plaintiffs' Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonyms ("Motion"). While the public has a general interest in knowing the identities of parties in civil matters, in "some exceptional cases," that interest cedes "to a policy of protecting privacy in a very private matter." See Freedom from Religion Foundation, Inc. v. Emanuel Cnty. Sch. Sys. , 109 F. Supp. 3d 1353, 1356 (S.D. Ga. 2015) (quoting Doe v. Steagall , 653 F. 2d 180, 185 (5th Cir. Unit A 1981)). Factors that may counsel courts to grant anonymity to the parties include whether the plaintiffs are minors, whether the plaintiffs would be threatened by violence or physical harm by proceeding in their own names, and whether their anonymity would pose a unique threat of fundamental unfairness to the defendant. See Plaintiff B v. Francis , 631 F.3d 1310, 1315 (11th Cir. 2011). The Motion clearly establishes that the plaintiffs--victims of child pornography--face substantial harm from attaching their names to the unlawful images Defendant (and others) have possessed, and that the circulation of these images would cause them emotional and psychological pain, especially if their names were attached to the images Defendant has already been convicted of possessing. See United States v. Kennedy , 643 F. 3d 1251, 1263 (9th Cir. 2011) (affirming a district court's conclusion that viewing images containing child pornography caused the victims of that action substantial pain, violated privacy interests, and injured their reputation and mental well-being). The Court, having carefully reviewed the Motion and supporting Declarations, finds on the basis of these specific facts that Plaintiffs have established ample good cause in support of their Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonyms, and that Plaintiffs may proceed in this action using the pseudonyms listed in their filings. Signed by Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz, II on 2/20/2025. (nn00) |
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motion
Miscellaneous Relief
Thu 02/20 3:10 PM
MOTION Motion to Proceed Under Pseudonyms by Chelsea, Maria, Violet, Jenny, Sloane.(Avila, Kathryn) |
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Att: 1
Affidavit Declaration of Carol Hepburn,
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Att: 2
Exhibit Hepburn Decl. Exhibit 1,
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Att: 3
Affidavit Declaration of Susanna Southworth,
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Att: 4
Affidavit Declaration of James Marsh,
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Att: 5
Exhibit Marsh Decl. Exhibit 1,
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Att: 6
Text of Proposed Order
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| Thursday, February 13, 2025 | ||
| 8 | 8
order
Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Thu 02/13 10:59 AM
PAPERLESS ORDER granting7 Amended Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Consent to Designation, and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing for attorney Susanna L. Southworth. Signed by Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz, II on 2/13/2025. (nn00) |
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| Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | ||
| 7 | 7
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice - aty
Wed 02/12 4:10 PM
Amended MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Consent to Designation, and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing for Susanna L. Southworth. Filing Fee $ 250.00 Amended/Corrected Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice Filed - Filing Fees Previously Paid. See5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, by Chelsea, Maria, Violet, Jenny, Sloane. Responses due by 2/26/2025. (Avila, Kathryn) |
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| 6 | 6
order
Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Wed 02/12 2:49 PM
PAPERLESS ORDER denying 5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Consent to Designation, and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing for attorney Susanna L. Southworth ("Motion"). Local Rule 4(b) of the Rules Governing the Admission, Practice, Peer Review, and Discipline of Attorneys of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida requires that the attorney who seeks admission to the District pro hac vice must sign a Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice herself. While Susanna Southworth seeks admission pro hac vice, Kathryn L. Avila has signed the motion on Ms. Southworth's behalf. Accordingly, the Motion is DENIED without prejudice so that Ms. Southworth may refile the Motion in accordance with the Local Rules. Signed by Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz, II on 2/12/2025. (nn00) |
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| Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | ||
| 5 | 5
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice - aty
Tue 02/11 9:01 AM
MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Consent to Designation, and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing for Susanna L. Southworth. Filing Fee $ 250.00 Receipt # AFLSDC-18194256 by Chelsea, Maria, Violet, Jenny, Sloane. Responses due by 2/25/2025. (Avila, Kathryn) |
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| Thursday, February 06, 2025 | ||
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misc
Bar Letter
Thu 02/06 3:46 PM
Bar Letter re: Admissions sent to attorney Susanna L. Southworth, mailing date February 6, 2025, (pt) |
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service
Summons Issued
Thu 02/06 3:39 PM
Summons Issued as to Stefan Ciobanu. (cwc) |
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| 2 | 2
order
Clerk's Notice of Judge Assignment and Optional Consent
Thu 02/06 3:34 PM
Clerks Notice of Judge Assignment to Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz, II. Pursuant to 28 USC 636(c), the parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Magistrate Judge Lauren F. Louis is available to handle any or all proceedings in this case. If agreed, parties should complete and file the Consent form found on our website. It is not necessary to file a document indicating lack of consent. (cwc) |
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| 1 | 1
6
pgs
cmp
Complaint
Thu 02/06 3:00 PM
COMPLAINT against Stefan Ciobanu. Filing fees $ 405.00 receipt number AFLSDC-18185348, filed by Jenny, Chelsea, Violet, Maria, Sloane.(Avila, Kathryn) |
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Att: 1
Civil Cover Sheet,
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Att: 2
Summon(s)
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