Thurmond v. Conway Police Department et al

Filing 3

ORDER DISMISSING CASE without prejudice pursuant to the three-strikes rule; and certifying that an ifp appeal taken from this Order and the accompanying Judgment would not be taken in good faith. Signed by Judge James M. Moody on 8/30/10. (bkp)

Thurmond v. Conway Police Department et al

Doc. 3

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

SAM EDWARD THURMOND, SR. ADC #127149 V. 4:10CV001142 JMM

PLAINTIFF

CONWAY POLICE DEPARTMENT, et al.

DEFENDANTS

ORDER OF DISMISSAL Plaintiff, Sam Edward Thurmond, Sr., who is a prisoner in the East Arkansas Regional Unit of the Arkansas Department of Correction, has filed a pro se1 § 1983 Complaint and an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. See docket entries #1 and #2. For the reasons explained below, the Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis must be denied and the case dismissed, without prejudice, pursuant to the three strikes provision in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).

Plaintiff is hereby notified of his responsibility to comply with Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), which states: "It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her address, to monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. A party appearing for himself/herself shall sign his/her pleadings and state his/her address, zip code, and telephone number. If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice. Any party proceeding pro se shall be expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure." Plaintiff is further notified of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), which provides that a prisoner may not proceed with a civil suit in forma pauperis "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."

1

Dockets.Justia.com

I. Discussion A. Three Strikes Rule The Prison Litigation Reform Act contains a three strikes provision, which specifies that a prisoner cannot proceed in forma pauperis "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); see also Higgins v. Carpenter, 258 F.3d 797, 800 (8th Cir. 2002) (holding that § 1915(g) is constitutional). The Court's records demonstrate that Plaintiff has previously filed at least four § 1983 actions that were dismissed for failing to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. See Thurmond v. Byrd, 4:09CV00115 JLH (dismissed on 3-18-09); Thurmond v. Williams, 4:09CV00875 BSM (dismissed on 2-26-10); Thurmond v. Williams, 4:09CV00958 BSM (dismissed on 2-26-10); Thurmond v. Khols Dept. Stores, Inc., 4:10CV00172 JMM (dismissed on 4-21-10). Thus, Plaintiff accumulated three strikes, as defined by § 1915(g), prior to commencing this action on August 10, 2010. B. Imminent Danger Exception to the Three Strikes Rule Even though Plaintiff is a three striker, he still may be allowed to proceed in forma pauperis if he falls under the "imminent danger" exception to the three strikes rule. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) (providing that three strikers should, nevertheless, be granted permission to proceed in forma pauperis if they are "under imminent danger of serious physical injury"). In Ashley v. Dilworth, 147 F.3d 715, 717 (8th Cir. 1998), the Eighth Circuit explained that the exception applies only if the -2-

prisoner alleges that he is in imminent danger "at the time of filing" and that "[a]llegations that the prisoner has faced imminent danger in the past are insufficient." (Emphasis in the original.) Furthermore, the Eighth Circuit has been reluctant to apply the imminent danger exception unless the alleged ongoing danger subjects the prisoner to a risk of a truly serious physical injury. Compare Ashley, 147 F.3d at 717 (applying the imminent danger exception when a prisoner alleged that prison officials continued to place him near his enemies despite two prior stabbings), with Martin v. Shelton, 319 F.3d 1048,1050 (8th Cir. 2003) (refusing to apply the imminent danger exception when a plaintiff alleged that prison officials made him work outside in extreme weather conditions that did not result in any serious physical injuries). In his Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that, in October of 2009, Defendants violated his constitutional rights, in a variety of ways, when they filed state criminal charges against him, which were later dismissed in July of 2010. See docket entry #2. Those allegations do not currently place Plaintiff in imminent danger of serious physical injury. Accordingly, Plaintiff is not entitled to proceed in forma pauperis. II. Conclusion IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 1. 2. Plaintiff's Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (docket entry #1) is DENIED. This case is DISMISSED, WITHOUT PREJUDICE, pursuant to the three strikes rule

set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 3. If Plaintiff wishes to continue this case, he must, within thirty (30) days of the entry

of this Order of Dismissal: (a) pay the $350 filing fee in full, noting the above case style and number; and (b) file a Motion to Reopen the case. Upon receipt of the Motion and full payment, this -3-

case will be reopened. 4. The Court CERTIFIES, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an in forma pauperis

appeal from this Order of Dismissal and the accompanying Judgment would not be taken in good faith. Dated this 30 day of August, 2010.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

-4-