Madden v. Bell

Filing 5

ORDER dismissing complaint without prejudice; denying all pending Motions 4 ; certifying that an ifp appeal would not be taken in good faith; and directing the plaintiff to submit the statutory filing fee of $350 within 30 days of the entry of this order, along with a motion to reopen the case, if he wishes to continue this case. Signed by Judge Brian S. Miller on 10/29/10. (bkp)

-HDY Madden v. Bell

Doc. 5

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS HELENA DIVISION LEE MADDEN, JR., ADC #136534 v. FELICIA BELL ORDER Plaintiff Lee Madden, Jr. is currently being held at the Arkansas Department of Correction's East Arkansas Regional Unit. On October 21, 2010, Madden filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 [Doc. No. 2], along with an affidavit of indigency. [Doc. No. 1]. Because Madden's complaint must be dismissed, without prejudice, pursuant to the three-strikes provision of the Prison Litigation Reform Act ("PLRA"), Madden is not entitled to in forma pauperis status, and to the extent his affidavit may be considered an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, it is denied. Under the three-strikes provision of the PLRA, a prisoner's in forma pauperis action must be dismissed, sua sponte or upon a motion of a party, if the prisoner has "on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). The Eighth Circuit has explicitly upheld the constitutionality of the three-strikes provision. Higgins v. Carpenter, CASE NO: 2:10CV00171 BSM-HDY DEFENDANT PLAINTIFF

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258 F.3d 797, 801 (8th Cir. 2001). Records in the office of the Clerk of Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas reveal that Madden has had more than three prior civil actions dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. See Madden v. Jackson, No. 5:08CV00090-SWW; Madden v. U.S.A., No. 4:09CV00648-JMM; Madden v. Arkansas Department of Correction, No. 5:09CV00175-JMM; Madden v. Norris, No. 5:09CV00200-WRW. Madden's previous strikes have been recognized throughout the Eastern District. See Madden v. Arkansas, No. 2:09CV00157-JLH (Doc. No. 3) (E.D. Ark. Oct. 16, 2009); Madden v. Fault, No. 2:10CV00086-JMM (Doc. No.7) (E.D. Ark. Jul. 27, 2010); Madden v. Foreman, No. 2:10CV00107-JLH (Doc. No. 5) (E.D. Ark. Aug. 2, 2010); Madden v. Norris, No. 5:10CV00231-SWW (Doc. No. 4) (E.D. Ark. Aug. 18, 2010). Additionally, based on the allegations contained in his present complaint, it does not appear that Madden is in imminent danger of serious physical injury. Although Madden's complaint contains a variety of unrelated claims and complaints dating to more than four years ago, defendant Felicia Bell's role appears to be limited to charging Madden with a disciplinary violation. Madden also complains of certain conditions in an isolation cell. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 1. Madden's complaint is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Should he

wish to continue this case, Madden must submit the statutory filing fee of $350 to the Clerk of the Court, noting the above case style number, within thirty (30) days of the entry date of

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this order, along with a motion to reopen the case. Upon receipt of the motion and full payment, this case will be reopened. 2. 3. All pending motions are DENIED. Furthermore, it is CERTIFIED that an in forma pauperis appeal from this order

or any judgment entered hereunder would not be taken in good faith. DATED this 29th day of October, 2010.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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