Bridgeman v. Neldon et al

Filing 4

ORDER directing Plaintiff Bridgeman to file an amended complaint within thirty days of the entry of this Order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Beth Deere on 2/19/2014. (jak)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
NORTHERN DIVISION
DAVID BRIDGEMAN
ADC #152683
V.

PLAINTIFF
CASE NO. 1:14-CV-0011 KGB/BD

CORPORAL NELDON, et al.

DEFENDANTS
ORDER

Mr. Bridgeman filed this lawsuit pro se under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Docket entry #2)
He claims that ADC officials violated his rights by failing to protect him from an attack
by other inmates, even though he warned them that such an attack would take place if
officials transferred him to a certain barracks.
There are problems with the complaint, as drafted. First, Mr. Bridgeman names
Corporal Neldon as a Defendant, but does not mention Corporal Neldon in the body of his
complaint. It is unclear, therefore, how this Defendant violated Mr. Bridgeman’s rights.
In addition, he alleges that an unidentified corporal assured him that he would inform
ADC staff about the potential harm in transferring him and that an unidentified sergeant
ordered that he be transferred.
Based on these allegations, the Court cannot perform its screening function under
28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Mr. Bridgeman appears to have stated an Eighth Amendment claim,
but he has not identified the individuals who allegedly violated his rights. Without this
information, this case cannot move forward.

Accordingly, Mr. Bridgeman has thirty days to amend his complaint to identify
those officials who allegedly violated his constitutional rights and caused him to suffer
injury. His failure to amend his complaint could result in the dismissal of his claims,
without prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 19th day of February, 2014.

___________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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