Sajetta v. Doe

Background

Anjelu Sajetta is detained at West Facility on Rikers Island and is proceeding without a lawyer. Sajetta brought an action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a federal law allowing claims against state or local actors for violating federal rights, alleging that conditions of confinement violated federal constitutional rights. The complaint referred to sanitation, plumbing, and mail-service conditions at West Facility but did not include a caption or formally designated adverse party.

The court had previously allowed Sajetta to proceed without prepaying filing fees. Because West Facility is operated by the New York City Department of Correction, and because the complaint showed a clear intention to assert claims against the City of New York, the court construed the complaint as asserting claims against the City.

Order

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 21, a court may add or drop a party. The court directed the Clerk of Court to add the City of New York as a defendant and electronically notify the New York City Department of Correction and the New York City Law Department. The court requested that the City waive service of the summons and directed the Clerk to mail Sajetta a copy of the order and an information package.

The order states that adding the City is without prejudice to any defenses the City may assert. The court did not decide the merits of Sajetta’s constitutional claims or whether the alleged conditions violated federal law. Judge Analisa Torres entered the order on August 4, 2025.