Garris v. Crawford County Sheriff's Department et al

Filing 26

ORDER denying as moot 21 Motion to Dismiss; Christopher Waters terminated; and DIRECTING SERVICE on Mike Allen and granting 20 days to answer. Sheriff Allen is directed to identify for the court the officers involved in the seizure of the vehicle from the plaintiff on or about 11/22/05. Signed by Honorable James R. Marschewski on March 17, 2009. (lw)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS FORT SMITH DIVISION MELVIN PAUL GARRIS v. Civil No. 08-2045 PLAINTIFF JOHN OR JANE DOE OFFICERS OF THE CRAWFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT; and CHRISTOPHER WATERS, Arkansas State Trooper ORDER DEFENDANTS On October 20, 2008, Sheriff Allen responded (Doc. 14) to the court's order (Doc. 12) advising the court that the plaintiff was arrested by Arkansas State Trooper Christopher Waters and not by officers of the Crawford County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Allen additionally indicated that the Crawford County Sheriff's Office did not seize the plaintiff's vehicle on November 18, 2005. In view of Sheriff Allen's response, the court substituted Trooper Waters as a defendant in place of Sheriff Allen and had him served. Trooper Allen has now filed a motion to dismiss (Doc. 21). Plaintiff has responded to the motion to dismiss (Doc. 23 and Doc. 25). Plaintiff states he has no claim against Trooper Waters. Plaintiff maintains it was the Sheriff's Office that seized his vehicle. Among other things, plaintiff attaches to his response (Doc. 23) a copy the judgment of forfeiture entered in the Circuit Court of Crawford County, Arkansas. The judgment indicates that on November 22, 2005, officers of the Crawford County Sheriff's Office seized a 1998 GMC Suburban from the plaintiff. For this reason, the clerk is directed to substitute Sheriff Mike Allen as a defendant AO72A (Rev. 8/82) for Arkansas State Trooper Christopher Waters. The motion to dismiss (Doc. 21) is denied as moot. The court, having heretofore entered an order allowing the plaintiff to proceed in forma pauperis, hereby directs the United States Marshal to serve Sheriff Mike Allen. Sheriff Allen may be served at the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Allen is to be served without prepayment of fees and costs or security therefor. Sheriff Allen is ordered to answer within twenty (20) days from the date of service. Sheriff Allen is directed to identify for the court the officers involved in the seizure of the vehicle from the plaintiff on or about November 22, 2005. IT IS SO ORDERED this 17th day of March 2009. /s/ J. Marschewski HON. JAMES R. MARSCHEWSKI UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE AO72A (Rev. 8/82)

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