Sherven v. Nat’l Reconnaissance Off., No. 22-03164, 2024 WL 620444 (D.D.C. Feb. 14, 2024) (Mehta, J.)

Sherven v. Nat’l Reconnaissance Off., No. 22-03164, 2024 WL 620444 (D.D.C. Feb. 14, 2024) (Mehta, J.)

Re:  Request for records concerning plaintiff

Disposition:  Granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment; denying plaintiff’s cross-motion for summary judgment

• Litigation Considerations, Adequacy of Search:  “[T]he court is satisfied that the National Reconnaissance Office (“NRO”)’s searches were adequate and reasonable under the circumstances.”  “The court finds that the NRO’s declarations set forth in reasonable detail, and in good faith, the type of information the agency retains, the manner in which that information is organized, the databases that were searched in responding to Plaintiff’s FOIA Request, the scope of the searches, and the specific search terms used.”  “[Plaintiff] specifically describes why the certain databases and search terms were used, avers that the searches were reasonable, and explains why no responsive records were found.”  Additionally, the court finds that “Plaintiff’s mere speculation that material should have been found does not undermine the NRO’s otherwise reasonable search.”