Burch v. Thomas et al

Filing 28

MEMORANDUM OPINION as more fully set out in order. Signed by Judge C Lynwood Smith, Jr on 5/17/2016. (AHI)

FILED
2016 May-17 AM 10:46
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
WESTERN DIVISION
VINCENT EDWARD BURCH,
Plaintiff,
vs.
WARDEN WILLIE THOMAS, III,
et al.,
Defendants.

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Case No. 7:14-cv-01812-CLS-JEO

MEMORANDUM OPINION
The magistrate judge filed a report and recommendation on August 19, 2015,
recommending that this action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 be dismissed under
28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1) for failing to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
(Doc. no. 17). Plaintiff filed objections to the report and recommendation on
September 22, 2015. (Doc. no. 24).
In his objections, plaintiff merely restates his claims that defendant Steadman
touched him inappropriately during a pat-down search and that the supervisory
defendants failed to investigate plaintiff’s complaints or discipline Steadman. (Doc.
no. 24 at 1-2). The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has recognized that only severe
or repetitive sexual abuse of a prisoner by a prison official violates the Eighth
Amendment. Boxer X v. Harris, 437 F3d 1107, 1111 (11th Cir. 2006). Plaintiff does

not address the magistrate judge’s findings that an isolated episode of harassment and
touching, such as the single event described by the plaintiff, fails to state a claim for
relief under the Eighth Amendment. See Washington v. Harris, 186 F. App’x 865,
866 (11th Cir. 2006) (unpublished).
Moreover, plaintiff continues to make only conclusory and speculative claims
that defendant Barnes has tampered with his mail. (Doc. no. 24 at 2). Plaintiff does
not come forward with any factual support for his claims against Barnes and,
therefore, fails to state a plausible claim against this defendant.1
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 it hereby is,
ADOPTED, and the recommendation is ACCEPTED. Accordingly, the complaint
is due to be dismissed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1) for failing to state a
claim upon which relief may be granted,or seeking monetary relief from defendants
who are immune.
A Final Judgment will be entered.

1

Plaintiff alleges he did not receive the magistrate judge’s Report and Recommendation for six days and claims this is “proof” that defendant Barnes has intercepted his mail. (Doc. no.
24 at 2-3). However, a six-day delay in prison mail in not uncommon and fails to show defendant
Barnes has tampered with plaintiff’s mail.
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DONE this 16th day of May, 2016.

______________________________
United States District Judge

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