Futrell v. Arkansas Northeastern College

Filing 15

ORDER granting 13 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim. Signed by Judge James M. Moody Jr. on 8/13/2014. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
TYRONE LEE FUTRELL, SR.
V.

PLAINTIFF
No. 3:13cv141-JM

ARKANSAS NORTHEASTERN COLLEGE

DEFENDANT

ORDER
Plaintiff filed a pro se complaint against the Arkansas Northeastern College on May 31,
2013, pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Plaintiff alleges that the college
failed to employ him based on his race and color. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that a black
employee of the college told him that a white person had been hired for the position that he had
applied for and also that there were several black people that applied for another position that
was awarded to a white person.
Even a pro se complaint must allege “sufficient facts to support the claims advanced.”
Stone v. Harry, 364 F.3d 912, 914 (8th Cir. 2004). Here, Plaintiff’s complaint fails for two
reasons. First, Plaintiff does not allege that he filed charges with the EEOC before filing his
complaint with the Court. Under Title VII, the administrative procedure must be exhausted
before a federal lawsuit may be filed. Williams v. Little Rock Mun. Water Works, 21 F.3d 218,
222 (8th Cir. 1994). Second, Plaintiff’s complaint fails to state a claim for discrimination in that
it does not allege that he was qualified for the position for which he applied or that he was
treated differently than similarly-situated applicants who were not members of his protected
class. While the complaint recites that defendant failed to employ or promote him because of his
race and color, the few facts alleged do not support this conclusory allegation. Therefore, the
college’s motion to dismiss [Docket No. 13] is granted.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 13th day of August, 2014.

____________________________
James M. Moody Jr.
United States District Judge