case 6:05-cv-00036-bb-act document 49-1 filed 09/18/06 ... · period (from january 12, 2002 to july...

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Case 6:05-cv-00036-BB-ACT Document 49-1 Filed 09/18/06 Page 1 of 7 IF YOU WERE STRIP SEARCHED AT INTAKE AND BOOKING AT THE SANTA FE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY BEFORE YOU WERE ARRAIGNED BETWEEN JANUARY 12, 2002 AND JULY 6, 2006, A PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS. PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. A proposed settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the District ofNew Mexico, LEYBA, et al. v. SANTA FE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, et al., Cause No. CIV-05-0036 BBIACT. This class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of persons allegedly illegally strip searched at the Santa Fe County Detention Facility between January 12, 2002 and July 6, 2006. The Court has ordered that notice be sent to all potential class members. This is only a summary notice; a more detailed Notice of Proposed Settlement of Santa Fe County Class Action Strip Search Case ("Notice") may be obtained by calling toll-free (866) 854-8632 or writing to Claims Administrator, Post Office Box 670, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0670 or by visiting the following website: www.santafestripsearch.com. WHAT IS THE LAWSUIT ABOUT? This lawsuit alleges claims against Defendants Management & Training Corporation and Kerry Dixon ("MTC Defendants"), and Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners, Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, and Former Santa Fe County Sheriff Raymond L. Sisneros ("Santa Fe County Defendants") for unlawful strip searches of the Plaintiffs and other pre-arraignment detainees who were subjected to a strip search upon booking and intake to the Santa Fe County Detention Facility during the Class Period (from January 12, 2002 to July 6, 2006) without individualized suspicion that the search would lead to the discovery of contraband or weapons, not including persons arrested or booked on charges involving drugs, weapons or violence. The Defendants dispute these allegations and deny any liability, but are prepared to settle the litigation solely to compromise disputed claims and to avoid further expense, inconvenience and uncertainty of litigation. WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT? Exhibit 3 i

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Page 1: Case 6:05-cv-00036-BB-ACT Document 49-1 Filed 09/18/06 ... · Period (from January 12, 2002 to July 6, 2006) without individualized suspicion that the search would lead to the discovery

Case 6:05-cv-00036-BB-ACT Document 49-1 Filed 09/18/06 Page 1 of 7

IF YOU WERE STRIP SEARCHED AT INTAKE AND BOOKING AT THE SANTA FE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY BEFORE YOU WERE ARRAIGNED BETWEEN JANUARY 12, 2002 AND JULY 6, 2006, A PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS.

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.

A proposed settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the District ofNew Mexico, LEYBA, et al. v. SANTA FE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, et al., Cause No. CIV-05-0036 BBIACT. This class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of persons allegedly illegally strip searched at the Santa Fe County Detention Facility between January 12, 2002 and July 6, 2006. The Court has ordered that notice be sent to all potential class members.

This is only a summary notice; a more detailed Notice of Proposed Settlement of Santa Fe County Class Action Strip Search Case ("Notice") may be obtained by calling toll-free (866) 854-8632 or writing to Claims Administrator, Post Office Box 670, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0670 or by visiting the following website: www.santafestripsearch.com.

WHAT IS THE LAWSUIT ABOUT?

This lawsuit alleges claims against Defendants Management & Training Corporation and Kerry Dixon ("MTC Defendants"), and Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners, Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, and Former Santa Fe County Sheriff Raymond L. Sisneros ("Santa Fe County Defendants") for unlawful strip searches of the Plaintiffs and other pre-arraignment detainees who were subjected to a strip search upon booking and intake to the Santa Fe County Detention Facility during the Class Period (from January 12, 2002 to July 6, 2006) without individualized suspicion that the search would lead to the discovery of contraband or weapons, not including persons arrested or booked on charges involving drugs, weapons or violence. The Defendants dispute these allegations and deny any liability, but are prepared to settle the litigation solely to compromise disputed claims and to avoid further expense, inconvenience and uncertainty of litigation.

WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT?

Exhibit 3

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The Settlement Agreement provides that the MTC Defendants will deposit $8,000,000 (Eight Million Dollars) into an interest-bearing Settlement Fund. The following amounts will be paid out of the Settlement Fund, subject to final approval of the Court: (a) payments to Settlement Class members who submit valid and timely Claim Forms, calculated under the Plan of Allocation; (b) payments to the Class Representatives to acknowledge their participation·and efforts in this lawsuit; and (c) payments for Plaintiffs' attorneys' fees, gross receipts tax on Plaintiffs' attorneys' fees, and litigation expenses incurred on behalf of Plaintiffs. In the event that there are funds remaining in the Settlement Fund after these payments are made, such funds will be returned to the MTC Defendants.

The Settlement Agreement provides that the Santa Fe County Defendants will pay up to $500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) for all claims administration expenses.

The MTC Defendants no longer operate the Santa Fe County Detention Facility. The Santa Fe County Defendants have agreed that they will no longer strip search pre­arraignment detainees without individualized reasonable suspicion that the strip search would be productive of contraband or weapons.

A detailed description of the settlement is contained in the Notice. The complete terms of the proposed settlement are also set forth in the Settlement Agreement, which may be inspected during normal business hours at the office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, 333 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM. The Court has given its preliminary approval to the proposed settlement described above.

SETTLEMENT HEARING

A hearing on final approval of the proposed settlement will be held on December 8, 2006, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, 120 South Federal Place, Santa Fe, New Mexico. At the hearing, the Court will consider, among other things, whether the proposed settlement should b~ given final approval as fair, reasonable and adequate.

WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS AND OPTIONS?

A. YOU MAY REMAIN A CLASS MEMBER AND SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM: If you do not request exclusion from the Class by timely opting out ofthe Class, you will be deemed included within the Class and you will be deemed to have released the Defendants and others from all claims described in the Settlement Agreement and in the Notice (the "Released Claims"). In order to be eligible to receive monetary compensation under the proposed settlement, you must complete a Claim Form return it so that it is postmarked or delivered no later than November 6, 2006. Claim forms may be obtained by calling toll-free (866) 854-8632 or by visiting the following website: www.santafestripsearch.com.

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B. YOU MAY REQUEST EXCLUSION FROM THE CLASS AND OPT OUT: If you do not wish to be bound by the terms of the proposed Settlement, you may exclude yourself or "opt-out" ofthis lawsuit. To do so, you must submit a completed Opt-Out Form to the Claims Administrator so that it is postmarked or otherwise delivered no later than October 23, 2006. Opt-Out Forms may be obtained by calling toll-free (866) 854-8632 or by visiting the following website: www.santafestripsearch.com. If you request exclusion from the Class in this manner, you will not share in the proposed settlement, you will not be entitled to object to the proposed settlement, you will not be bound by any final judgment under the proposed settlement, and you may pursue any claims you may have against the Defendants at your own expense.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Complete information about your rights as a Class Member, the settlement approval process, how to make a claim for part of the Settlement Fund, and important dates and deadlines is available in the Notice. To obtain a copy: CALL: toll-free (866) 854-8632, OR WRITE: Claims Administrator, Post Office Box 670, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0670 OR VISIT: www.santafestripsearch.com

You may also address any inquiry in writing to Class Counsel at the following address:

ROTHSTEIN, DONATELLI, HUGHES, DAHLSTROM, SCHOENBURG & BIENVENU, LLP Attn: Mark H. Donatelli, Robert R. Rothstein, John C. Bienvenu P.O. Box 8180 Santa Fe, NM 87504-8180 505-988-8004

Please Do Not Contact the Court or the Clerk's Office for Information.

By Order of the United States District Court for The District ofNew Mexico.

Dated: July 24, 2006

The Honorable Bruce D. Black, United States District Judge

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Case 6:05-cv-00036-BB-ACT Document 49-1 Filed 09/18/06 Page 4 of 7

SI USTED REGISTRO ARREST ADO

FUE SOMETIDO DESNUDO AL Y ADMITIDO

A

A

UN SER

LA INSTALACION DE DETENCION DEL CONDADO DE SANTA FE ANTES DE SU EMPLAZAMIENTO ENTRE EL 12 DE ENERO DE 2002 Y EL 6 DE JULIO DE 2006, UN ACUERDO DE LIQUIDACION PROPUESTO EN UNA DEMANDA COLECTIV A PODRiA AFECTAR SUS DERECHOS.

SIRV ASE LEER ESTE AVISO DETENIDAMENTE.

Se ha llegado a un acuerdo de liquidaci6n propuesto en una demanda colectiva que se encuentra pendiente en el Tribunal de Distrito de Estados Unidos para el Distrito de New Mexico, titulada LEYBA, et al. v. SANTA FE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, et al., Causa No. CIV-05-0036 BBIACT. Esta demanda colectiva fue presentada a nombre de personas que alegadamente fueron sometidas ilegalmente a registros desnudos en la Instalaci6n de Detenci6n del Condado de Santa Fe entre el12 de enero de 2002 y el 6 de julio de 2006. El Tribunal ha ordenado que se envie un aviso a todos los posibles miembros de la clase.

Este es s6lo un aviso resumido; se puede obtener un Aviso de Acuerdo de Liquidaci6n Propuesto en el Caso de la Demanda Colectiva por Registro Desnudo del Condado de Santa Fe ("Aviso") mas detallado llamando sin cargo al (866) 854-8632, escribiendo a Claims Administrator, Post Office Box 670, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0670 o visitando el siguiente sitio web: www.santafestripsearch.com.

;,A QUE SE DEBE LA DEMAND A?

En esta demanda se alegan reclamaciones contra los Demandados Management & Training Corporation y Kerry Dixon ("Demandados de MTC") y la Junta de Comisionados del Condado del Condado de Santa Fe, el Alguacil del Condado de Santa Fe Greg Solano y el Sheriffprevio del Condado de Santa Fe Raymond L. Sisneros ("Demandados del Condado de Santa Fe") por realizar registros desnudos ilegales a los Demandantes y otros detenidos previo al emplazamiento, quienes fueron sometidos a registros desnudos al ser arrestados y admitidos a la Instalaci6n de Detenci6n del

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Condado de Santa Fe durante el Periodo de la Clase (del 12 de enero de 2002 al 6 de julio de 2006) sin ninguna sospecha individualizada de que el registro conduciria al descubrimiento de contrabando o armas, no incluyendo a personas arrestadas o admitidas por cargos que involucraban drogas, armas o violencia. Los Demandantes disputan estas alegaciones y niegan responsabilidad civil alguna, pero estan preparados a liquidar el litigio U.nicamente para transar las reclamaciones disputadas y evitar gastos adicionales, inconveniencias y la incertidumbre dellitigio.

;,CUALES SON LOS TERMINOS DEL ACUERDO DE LIQUIDACION?

El Acuerdo de Liquidaci6n dispone que los Demandados de MTC depositen $8,000,000 (Ocho Millones de D6lares) en un Fondo de Liquidaci6n que devengue intereses. Los siguientes montos se pagaran del Fondo de Liquidaci6n, sujeto ala aprobaci6n definitiva del Tribunal: (a) pagosa los miembros de Ia Clase de Liquidaci6n que presenten Formularios de Reclamaci6n validos y de forma oportuna, calculados de acuerdo con el Plan de Asignaci6n; (b) pagos a los Representantes de Ia Clase para reconocer su participaci6n y sus esfuerzos en esta demanda; y (c) pagos por honorarios de abogados de los Demandantes, impuestos por recibos brutos sobre los honorarios de abogados de los Demandantes y gastos dellitigio incurridos a nombre de los Demandantes. En caso de que queden fondos restantes en el Fondo de Liquidaci6n despues de hacerse estos pagos, dichos fondos se devolveran a los Demandados de MTC.

El Acuerdo de Liquidaci6n dispone que los Demandados del Condado de Santa Fe paguen hasta $500,000 (Quinientos Mil D6lares) por todos los gastos de administraci6n de las reclamaciones.

Los Demandados de MTC ya no operan Ia Instalaci6n de Detenci6n del Condado de Santa Fe. Los Demandados del Condado de Santa Fe han convenido en que ya no realizaran registros desnudos a los detenidos previo al emplazamiento sin una sospecha razonable individualizada de que el registro desnudo producini contrabando o armas.

Este Aviso contiene una descripci6n detallada de Ia liquidaci6n. Los terminos completos de Ia liquidaci6n propuesta tambien se estipulan en el Acuerdo de Liquidaci6n, el cual puede ser examinado durante el horario regular de trabajo en el despacho del Secretario del Tribunal de Distrito de Estados Unidos para el Distrito de New Mexico, ubicado en 333 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM. El Tribunal ha dado su aprobaci6n preliminar a Ia liquidaci6n propuesta descrita anteriormente.

AUDIENCIA DE LIQUIDACION

Una audiencia con respecto ala aprobaci6n definitiva de Ia liquidaci6n propuesta tendra Iugar el 8 de diciembre de 2006, comenzando a Ia 10:00 a.m., en el Tribunal de Distrito de Estados Unidos para el Distrito de New Mexico, en 120 South Federal Place, Santa Fe, New Mexico. En Ia audiencia, el Tribunal considerara, entre otras cosas, si a la liquidaci6n propuesta se le debe dar Ia aprobaci6n definitiva por ser justa, razonable y adecuada.

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;,CUALES SON SUS DERECHOS Y OPCIONES?

A. USTED PUEDE PERMANECER COMO MIEMBRO DE LA CLASE Y PRESENTAR UN FORMULARIO DE RECLAMACION: Si no solicita Ia exclusion de Ia Clase optando oportunamente por ser excluido de Ia Clase, se considerani que esta incluido en la Clase y se considerani que ha exonerado a los Demandados y a otros de todas las reclamaciones que se describen en el Acuerdo de Liquidacion y en el Aviso (las "Reclamaciones Exoneradas"). Para ser elegible para recibir compensacion monetaria bajo el acuerdo de liquidacion propuesto, usted debe llenar un Formulario de Reclamacion y devolverlo de manera que tenga matasellos o se entregue a mas tardar el 6 de noviembre de 2006. Los formularios de reclamacion pueden obtenerse llamando sin cargo al (866) 854-8632 o visitando el siguiente sitio web: www.santafestripsearch.com.

B. USTED PUEDE SOLICITAR LA EXCLUSION DE LA CLASE Y OPTAR POR SER EXCLUIDO: Si no desea quedar obligado por los terminos de Ia Liquidacion propuesta, puede excluirse u optar por ser excluido de esta demanda. Para hacerlo, debera presentar un Formulario de Exclusion lleno al Administrador de Reclamaciones de manera que tenga matasellos o se entregue de otro modo a mas tardar el23 de octubre de 2006. Los Formularios de Exclusion pueden obtenerse llamando sin cargo al (866) 854-8632 o visitando el siguiente sitio web: www.santafestripsearch.com. Si solicita ser excluido de Ia Clase de esta manera, no compartira en Ia liquidacion propuesta, no tendra derecho a objetar a la liquidacion propuesta, no quedara obligado a cualquier sentencia definitiva bajo Ia liquidacion propuesta y podra presentar cualesquiera reclamaciones que tenga contra los Demandados corriendo usted con sus propios gastos.

PARA OBTENER MAS INFORMACION

En el Aviso se proporciona informacion completa acerca de sus derechos como Miembro de la Clase, el proceso de aprobacion de Ia liquidacion, como presentar una reclamacion para una parte del Fondo de Liquidacion y las fechas importantes y fechas limites. Para obtener una copia, LLAME sin cargo al: (866) 854-8632, 0 ESCRIBA a: Claims Administrator, Post Office Box 670, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0670, 0 VISITE: www.santafestripsearch.com.

Tambien puede dirigir cualquier pregunta por escrito al Abogado de Ia Clase a Ia siguiente direccion:

ROTHSTEIN, DONATELLI, HUGHES, DAHLSTROM, SCHOENBURG & BIENVENU, LLP Attn: Mark H. Donatelli, Robert R. Rothstein, John C. Bienvenu P.O. Box 8180 Santa Fe, NM 87504-8180

l t

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505-988-8004

Nose comunique con el Tribunal ni con el Despacho del Secretario del Tribunal para solicitar informacion.

Por Orden del Tribunal de Distrito de Estados Unidos para el Distrito de New Mexico.

Fechado el: 24 de julio de 2006

El Honorable Bruce D. Black, Juez de Distrito de Estados Unidos

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