Gardner v. Weems

Filing 4

ORDER directing the Clerk of the Court to stay and administratively terminate this proceeding pending final disposition of Gardner's criminal charges. This case is subject to reopening upon Gardner's filing of a motion to reopen the case after such final disposition. The Court certifies that an in forma pauperis appeal of this Order would not be taken in good faith. Signed by Judge J. Leon Holmes on 11/6/2017. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION

JAVON GARDNER
v.

PLAINTIFF
NO: 3:17CV0298 JLH

EDDIE WEEMS

DEFENDANT
ORDER

Plaintiff Javon Gardner, currently in custody at the Poinsett County Detention Center, filed
a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP), which was granted, and a pro se complaint pursuant
to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Documents #1, #2, #3.
I. Screening
Before docketing the complaint, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the Court must review
the complaint to identify cognizable claims or dismiss the complaint if it: (1) is frivolous or
malicious; (2) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (3) seeks monetary relief
against a defendant who is immune from such relief.

See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A; 28 U.S.C. §

1915(e)(2)(B). Although a complaint requires only a short and plain statement of the claim
showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, the factual allegations set forth therein must be
sufficient to raise the right to relief above the speculative level. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2); Bell
Atlantic Corporation v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555, 127 S. Ct. 1955, 1964-65, 167 L. Ed. 2d 929
(2007) (“a plaintiff’s obligation to provide the ‘grounds’ of his ‘entitle[ment]to relief’ requires
more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action
will not do....”). While construed liberally, a pro se complaint must contain enough facts to state

a claim to relief that is plausible on its face, not merely conceivable. Martin v. Sargent, 780 F .2d
1334, 1337 (8th Cir. 1985).
II. Analysis
Gardner alleges that on August 24, 2017, Trumann Police Officer Eddie Weems acted on
a personal vendetta by unlawfully arresting Gardner and charging him with domestic battery, as
well as attempting to seduce Gardner’s girlfriend. Document #2. Gardner maintains that he is not
guilty of the pending state charges against him. Id., at 7. He seeks damages. Id., at 4.
Gardner’s claims against Weems should be stayed. In Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 4345, 91 S. Ct. 746, 750-51, 27 L. Ed. 2d 669, 675-76 (1971), the Supreme Court held that federal
courts should abstain from interfering in ongoing state proceedings. The Court explained the
rationale for such abstention as follows:
[The concept of federalism] represent[s] . . . a system in which there is sensitivity
to the legitimate interests of both State and National Governments, and in which
the National Government, anxious though it may be to vindicate and protect federal
rights and federal interests, always endeavors to do so in ways that will not unduly
interfere with the legitimate activities of the States.
401 U.S. at 44, 91 S. Ct. at 750, 27 L. Ed.at 676.
The Younger abstention doctrine is appropriate where: (1) there is an ongoing state
proceeding; (2) an important state interest is implicated; and (3) the plaintiff has an avenue for
reviewing his constitutional claims in state court. Yamaha Motor Corp. v. Stroud, 179 F.3d 598,
602 (8th Cir. 1999); Yamaha Motor Corp. v. Riney, 21 F.3d 793, 797 (8th Cir. 1994). Here,
Arkansas has an important interest in adjudicating the charges against Gardner, and he may raise
the issue of his alleged unlawful arrest before the state court.

Gardner has not pled any

extraordinary circumstances that would warrant intervention in the state proceedings. Middlesex
County Ethics Comm’n v. Garden State Bar Ass’n, 457 U.S. 423, 435, 102 S. Ct. 2515, 2523, 73

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L. Ed. 2d 116, 126 (1982). When, as here, a plaintiff seeks damages, his case should be stayed
under Younger, rather than dismissed. Night Clubs, Inc. v. City of Fort Smith, 163 F.3d 475, 48182 (8th Cir. 1998). Accordingly, Gardner’s complaint should be stayed and administratively
terminated until the criminal charges against him have been fully resolved.
III. Conclusion
1.

The Clerk of the Court is directed to stay and administratively terminate this

proceeding pending final disposition of Gardner’s criminal charges.
2.

This case is subject to reopening upon Gardner’s filing of a motion to reopen the

case after such final disposition.
3.

The Court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an in forma pauperis

appeal of this order would not be taken in good faith.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 6th day of November, 2017.

_______________________________
J. LEON HOLMES
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 

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