Sargent et al v. Hethrington et al

Filing 16

ORDER granting motion to proceed in forma pauperis 5 ; denying motions for discovery 4 9 ; denying motion for inquiry 10 ; and denying motions for summary judgment and default judgment, 14 15 without prejudice. The Clerk is directed to sty le Document 11-1 as Sargent's amended complaint. The Clerk is further directed to prepare a summons for Hethrington and Stephens and the U.S. Marshal shall serve the summons, Sargent's amended complaint, and this order on them without prepayment of fees therefore. Defts Emerson and Mross are dismissed as plaintiffs. The Court certifies that an ifp would not be taken in good faith. Signed by Judge D. P. Marshall Jr. on 4/6/12. (kpr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

NORTHERN DIVISION

MARY SARGENT, ADC #710323;
JENNIFER MROSS, ADC #754389; and
TINA M. EMERSON, ADC #710724

v.

PLAINTIFFS

No. 1:12-cv-17 DPM-JTR

TIMOTHY J. HETHRINGTON, Corporal;
and STEPHENS, Corporal, Arkansas Department
of Correction

DEFENDANTS

ORDER
Mary Sargent, Jennifer Mross, and Tina Emerson are prisoners in the
McPherson Unit of the Arkansas Department of Correction. They filed a
single pro se § 1983 complaint alleging that Defendants Corporal Timothy
Hethrington and Corporal Stephens used excessive force on one of them on
an unspecified date. Document No.1.
On 9 February 2012, the Court directed Sargent, Mross, and Emerson to
file separate amended complaints clarifying how each person's constitutional
rightswereviolated. Document No. 2. Importantly, each plaintiff was advised
that her claims would be dismissed without prejudice if she failed to timely
and properly do so. Local Rule 5.5(c)(2).

1.

Mross has not filed an amended complaint or otherwise clarified

how her constitutional rights were violated. The time for doing so has
expired. Thus, she is dismissed from this action without prejudice.
2. Emerson explains that she saw Hethrington and Stephens use

excessive force on Sargent. Document No.4. She does not allege that those
Defendants used any force on her. She does contend in her Amended
Complaint that unspecified prison officials are improperly handling her
grievances and retaliating against her for unexplained reasons. Document No.
6. But these allegations have nothing to do with the alleged use of excessive
force on Sargent.

FED. R. CIV. P.

20(a)(1) (providing that plaintiffs may join in

one action if they assert any right to relief . . . arising out of the same
U

transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions and occurrences" and any
common question of law or fact"). So Emerson and her Amended Complaint
U

are dismissed without prejudice.
Similarly, Emerson's request that the Court conduct an inquiry into the
denial of some envelopes, Document No. 10, is denied. If Emerson believes
that prison officials have violated her rights, she remains free to file her own
lawsuit. The Court notes that Emerson has filed various motions on Sargent's

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behalf. Emerson may help Sargent with her motions and filings in this case,

but from now on Sargent must sign them all herself.
3.

FED.

R. CIV. P. 11(a).

Several of the pending motions Emerson has filed on Sargent's

behalf are premature. Motions, Document Nos. 4 & 9, are requests for
discovery. They are denied. After Defendants file an answer, Sargent may
begin discovery by mailing her requests directly to their attorney. She should
not file them in the record.

FED.

R. CIV. P. 5(d)(1).

Sargent is not yet entitled

to default judgment, Document No. 15, or summary judgment, Document No.
14. Both of these motions are denied. The defendants have not been notified
of the lawsuit because this Court must screen Sargent's complaint.
4. Sargent has stated a viable excessive-force claim against Hethrington
and Stephens. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Sargent's motion for leave to proceed in
forma pauperis is granted. Document No.5. She does not have sufficient funds

to pay an initial partial filing fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b). The Director of the
ADC, his designee, or any future custodian is directed to collect monthly
payments equal to 20% of the preceding month's income credited to Sargent's
prison account each time the account exceeds $10.00, until the $350 filing fee
has been paid in fulL

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The Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Order to the Warden of the

McPherson Unit, 302 Corrections Drive, Newport, AR 72112; the ADC Trust
Fund Centralization Banking Office, P.O. Box 8908, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
71611; and the ADC Compliance Office, P.O. Box 20550, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
71612-0550.

* * *
Motion to proceed informa pauperis, Document No.5, granted. Motions
for discovery, Document Nos. 4 & 9, denied. Motion for inquiry, Document No.
10, denied. Motions for summary judgment and default judgment, Document
Nos. 14 & 15, denied without prejudice.

The Clerk is directed to style Document No. 11-1 as Sargent's amended
complaint. The Clerk is directed to prepare a summons for Hethrington and
Stephens. The Marshal is directed to serve the summons, Sargent's amended
complaint, and this Order on them without prepayment of fees and costs or
security therefor. The Court dismisses Emerson and Mross as plaintiffs.
The Court certifies that an in forma pauperis appeal of this Order would
not be taken in good faith. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3).

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So Ordered.

D.P. Marshall Jr.
United States District Judge

6 April 2012

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