Plaintiff accuses state judge and credit company of civil rights violations

A federal civil rights complaint has been filed, alleging significant constitutional violations by a state judge and other parties. Israel Perez, the plaintiff, submitted the complaint on February 4, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas against John Grace, a presiding judge, Lisa Harden, a court clerk, and Flagship Credit Acceptance LLC.

The case revolves around allegations that Perez’s constitutional rights were violated under various U.S. codes and amendments. Perez claims that Judge Grace and Clerk Harden acted beyond their jurisdiction by denying him due process and retaliating against him for exercising his First Amendment rights. The plaintiff asserts that judicial actions were taken without proper notice or hearings, effectively chilling his right to petition. Additionally, Perez accuses Flagship Credit Acceptance LLC of conspiring with state officials to suppress his legal activities.

Perez’s complaint outlines several counts against the defendants. He alleges violations of the Privileges and Immunities Clause and Due Process under the Fourteenth Amendment, claiming deprivation of liberty and property without due course of law. Furthermore, he argues that judicial admonishments have unlawfully deterred him from accessing courts—a First Amendment violation. The complaint also highlights a conspiracy to deny rights under color of law as per Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 and 242.

In seeking relief from the court, Perez requests declaratory judgments stating that state court orders violated due process. He seeks prospective injunctive relief to prevent enforcement of these orders and demands vacatur of any punitive language used against him. Additionally, he asks for compensatory damages for harm caused by these alleged violations.

Representing himself pro se (without an attorney), Israel Perez challenges what he perceives as unconstitutional actions by state officials who allegedly overstepped their bounds in handling his case. The filing also includes an emergency request for a temporary restraining order to halt any further judicial overreach until the matter is resolved.

The attorneys involved include Aaron Z. Tobin and Kendal B. Reed representing Flagship Credit Acceptance LLC while Israel Perez represents himself in this legal battle before Judge John Grace at Lubbock County Courthouse with Case ID: 5:26-cv-00025-H-BV.