NEWARK, NJ – A New Jersey federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a state prisoner who accused T-Mobile USA, Inc. of illegally sharing his cell phone data with law enforcement based on falsified judicial authorizations. The court ruled the claims failed to state a valid cause of action under federal or state law.
In an opinion issued by U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti, the court dismissed pro se plaintiff Marvin Goodwin’s second amended complaint, along with his two pending motions for reconsideration. The court found Goodwin’s claims under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and Stored Communications Act were insufficiently pleaded and failed to meet the legal standards required to proceed.
Goodwin, who is incarcerated and proceeding in forma pauperis, alleged that in October 2024, T-Mobile “wrongfully provided law enforcement access” to his private phone records using “electronic signatures” purportedly belonging to judges. He sought compensatory and punitive damages, as well as an injunction against further data disclosures.
Court finds insufficient factual support
Judge Martinotti reviewed the case under the screening procedures required by 28 U.S.C. §1915(e)(2)(B), which mandate early dismissal of cases filed by indigent prisoners if the claims are frivolous or fail to state a legal basis for relief. Citing Ashcroft v. Iqbal and Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, the judge noted that Goodwin’s complaint relied largely on “labels and conclusions” without factual detail showing how T-Mobile violated federal privacy statutes.
This was Goodwin’s third attempt to sustain a claim against the telecom company. His initial complaint was dismissed in July 2024, and his first amended complaint met the same fate in July 2025. Although the court allowed him to file a second amended complaint, the judge again found it deficient and dismissed it in full.
Goodwin’s motions for reconsideration, which sought to reopen the July 2025 ruling, were dismissed as moot because the new filing superseded his earlier claims.
Key points:
- Judge Martinotti dismissed Marvin Goodwin’s second amended complaint against T-Mobile.
- The case alleged unauthorized disclosure of phone records under the Stored Communications Act.
- The court found the filing lacked sufficient facts and failed to meet pleading standards.
Dismissal ends inmate’s latest challenge
The court’s opinion emphasized that Goodwin’s allegations, even when taken as true, did not plausibly show that T-Mobile violated any privacy law or contractual duty. The ruling leaves no remaining claims in the case, marking the latest in a series of unsuccessful filings by the plaintiff.
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The dismissal closes Goodwin’s federal privacy action against T-Mobile.