Hernandez v. Correctional Medical Services et al

Filing 7

ORDER DISMISSING CASE without prejudice and directing the plaintiff to submit the statutory filing fee of $350 within 30 days of this order, if he wishes to proceed with this case. The 1 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis filed by Albert Hernandez is denied. It is certified that an ifp appeal would not be taken in good faith. Signed by Judge Brian S. Miller on 4/21/11. (kpr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
PINE BLUFF DIVISION
ALBERT HERNANDEZ
ADC #65214
v.

PLAINTIFF

CASE NO. 5:11CV00061 BSM/HDY

CORRECTIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES et al.

DEFENDANTS

ORDER
Plaintiff Albert Hernandez, currently incarcerated at the Diagnostic Unit of the
Arkansas Department of Correction, filed a pro se complaint [Doc. No. 2] pursuant to 42
U.S.C. § 1983 along with an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. [Doc. No.
1]. Because Hernandez is not entitled to in forma pauperis status, however, his complaint
must be dismissed.
Under the three-strikes provision of the Prison Ligation Reform Act (“PLRA”), a
prisoner’s in forma pauperis action must be dismissed, sua sponte or upon motion, if it is
determined that 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 Court of Appeals has explicitly upheld the
constitutionality of the three-strikes provision. Higgins v. Carpenter, 258 F.3d 797, 801 (8th
Cir. 2001).

Hernandez concedes in his complaint that he has accumulated three strikes. Indeed,
his status as a three striker has been recognized in other recent cases in this district. See
Hernandez v. Minor et al., 5:10CV100; Hernandez v. Correctional Medical Services Inc. et
al., 5:10CV241; Hernandez v. Correctional Medical Services et al., 5:10CV340; Hernandez
v. Golden et al., 5:11CV75. Hernandez also claims that he is in imminent danger of serious
physical injury. Based on the allegations of his present complaint, however, it does not
appear that Hernandez is in such danger. Specifically, Hernandez has advanced a lengthy list
of mostly medically-related complaints, which largely occurred years ago. It appears that the
only claims relating to 2011 are Hernandez’s allegations that his legal work was confiscated
in February 2011, [Doc. No. 2, at 41-42] and that he was restrained in a chair for five hours
on March 8, 2011. [Doc. No. 3, at 3]. Because these allegations do not describe imminent
danger of serious physical injury, Hernandez’s complaint must be dismissed under the threestrikes provision.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT:
1.

Plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [Doc. No. 1] is

DENIED, and his complaint is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Should plaintiff wish
to continue this case, he must submit the statutory filing fee of $350 to the clerk’s office,
noting the above-styled case number, within thirty (30) days of the date of this order, along
with a motion to reopen the case. Upon receipt of the motion and full payment, this case will
be reopened.
2.

It is additionally certified, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an in forma
2

pauperis appeal from this order or any judgment entered hereunder, would not be taken in
good faith.
DATED this 21st day of April, 2011.

________________________________
UNITED STATED DISTRICT JUDGE

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