Cannon v. Mitchem et al

Filing 26

MEMORANDUM OPINION Signed by Judge William M Acker, Jr on 3/20/14. (SAC )

FILED
2014 Mar-20 PM 02:52
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHEASTERN DIVISION
ROY MICHAEL CANNON,
Plaintiff,
v.
WARDEN BILLY MITCHEM, et al.,
Defendants.

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Case No. 5:13-cv-01299-WMA-PWG

MEMORANDUM OF OPINION
The magistrate judge filed a report on February 26, 2014, recommending that this action be
dismissed without prejudice for failing to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1). The plaintiff filed objections to the report and recommendation on
March 12, 2014. As part of his objections, he contends the magistrate judge was without authority
to enter the report and recommendation absent consent of the parties. This assertion is erroneous.
The provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) allow for the designation of a magistrate judge to
conduct hearings and submit proposed findings of fact and recommendations for disposition of cases,
including “prisoner petitions challenging conditions of confinement.” Id. Therefore, “[a]lthough
consent of the parties is required for a magistrate judge to enter judgment in a case, it is not required
for actions taken under § 636(b).” U.S. v. Varnado, 447 Fed.Appx. 48, 49-50 (11th Cir. 2011); citing
Thomas v. Whitworth, 136 F.3d 756, 758 (11th Cir. 1998).
The remainder of the plaintiff’s objections are equally meritless. Accordingly, having
carefully reviewed and considered de novo all the materials in the court file, including the report and
recommendation and the objections thereto, the Court is of the opinion that the magistrate judge's

report is due to be and is hereby ADOPTED and the recommendation is ACCEPTED. Therefore,
in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), this action is due to be dismissed without prejudice for
failing to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. A Final Judgment will be entered
contemporaneously herewith.
DATED this 20th day of March, 2014.

_____________________________
WILLIAM M. ACKER, JR.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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