Newsome v. Roberts et al
Filing
18
ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Signed by Honorable Barry A. Bryant on October 17, 2017. (mll)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EL DORADO DIVISION
BLAKE MALCOLM NEWSOME
v.
PLAINTIFF
Civil No. 1:17-cv-01031
SHERIFF RICKY ROBERTS, Union
County, Arkansas; CAPTAIN MITCHAM;
NURSE RICE; LIEUTENANT GREEN;
SERGEANT SMITH; and SERGEANT
GOODE
DEFENDANTS
ORDER
On May 9, 2017, Plaintiff filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action pro se. (ECF No. 1).
Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”) was granted the same day. (ECF No.
3). Before the Court is Plaintiff Blake Malcolm Newsome’s failure to obey orders of the Court.
The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge to conduct any and all
proceedings in this case, including conducting the trial, ordering the entry of a final judgment, and
conducting all post-judgment proceedings. (ECF No. 13). Pursuant to this authority I issue this
order of dismissal.
In the order granting IFP status the Court advised Plaintiff he was required to immediately
inform the Court of any change of address and that failure to do so may result in the dismissal of
this case. (ECF No. 3). On September 1, 2017, Defendants filed a Motion to Compel stating
Plaintiff had failed to respond to discovery requests. (ECF No. 14). On September 5, 2017, mail
sent to Plaintiff at his address of record was returned with no forwarding address provided. On
September 25, 2017, the Court granted Defendants’ Motion to Compel and directed Plaintiff to
respond to the requests by October 13, 2017. (ECF No. 15). This Order advised Plaintiff that
1
failure to comply would subject this case to dismissal. On October 16, 2017, Defendants filed a
Notice informing the Court Plaintiff had not responded to the discovery requests. (ECF No. 17).
Although pro se pleadings are to be construed liberally, a pro se litigant is not excused
from complying with substantive and procedural law. Burgs v. Sissel, 745 F.2d 526, 528 (8th Cir.
1984). Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) states in pertinent part:
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
. . . 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.
Local Rule 5.5(c)(2).
Additionally, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure specifically contemplate dismissal of a
case on the grounds that the plaintiff failed to prosecute or failed to comply with orders of the
court. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630–31 (1962) (stating the
district court possesses the power to dismiss sua sponte under Rule 41(b)). Pursuant to Rule 41(b),
a district court has the power to dismiss an action based on “the plaintiff's failure to comply with
any court order” Brown v. Frey, 806 F.2d 801, 803–04 (8th Cir. 1986) (emphasis added).
In the present case, Plaintiff has failed to comply with two orders of the Court. Therefore,
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) and Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), the Court finds that
this case should be dismissed. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Complaint (ECF No. 1) is DISMISSED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
DATED this 17th day of October 2017.
/s/ Barry A. Bryant
HON. BARRY A. BRYANT
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
2
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?