Brown v. Atwell et al

Filing 14

ORDER denying 7 Defendants Motion to Dismiss; denying as moot 8 Plaintiff's Motion to Quash the Defendants Motion to Dismiss and denying 9 Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis. Signed by Honorable James R. Marschewski on October 24, 2012. (sh) Modified on 10/24/2012 to edit text(lw).

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FORT SMITH DIVISION
BARBARA BROWN
V.

PLAINTIFF
NO. 2:12-CV-02203

JOHN ATWELL, and
NEW PRIME, INC.

DEFENDANT
ORDER

Before the court is the Defendants Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 7) filed October 16, 2012
and the Plaintiff's Motion to Quash the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 8) and Motion
for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (ECF No. 9) filed October 22, 2012. The above matters
were referred to the undersigned on October 24, 2012 by text order.
The Plaintiff filed the above case on September 10, 2012 (ECF No. 1). Her Civil Cover
Sheet states that she is claiming a cause of action for personal injury and other civil rights
violations (ECF No. 2) resulting from an vehicle collision that occurred on August 23, 2005 in
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. (ECF No. 1, ¶2). In examining the complaint filed by the
Plaintiff the court cannot ascertain her cause of action or exactly who she is attempting to
proceed against but such a determination is not necessary for the resolution of the pending
motions.
On October 10, 2012 the Plaintiff filed an Affidavit stating that "the defendant was served
with summons and a copy of the complaint by certified mail on 24 September 2012". The
attached Return Receipt shows mail to Stuart H. King, 393 S. Glenstone, Springfield, Mo. 6582
02. (ECF No. 4).
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On October 16, 2010 Defendant, New Prime, Inc., filed a Motion to Dismiss for
Insufficiency of Process and Insufficiency of Process because no summons was included in the
complaint sent to Mr. King and that Mr. King is not the registered agent for New Prime, Inc.
(ECF No. 7).
A search of the Secretary of State website for the State of Missouri shows the Register
Agent for Prime Inc. to be Steve Crawford, 2740 North Mayfair, Springfield, MO 65803.
On October 22, 2012 the Plaintiff appears to have issue a new summons to John Atwell in
Mansfield, Ohio (ECF No. 12) and New Prime, Inc., 2740 N. Mayfair Ave, Springfield, Mo.
65803; c/o Steve Crawford, General Counsel. (ECF No. 13). Neither summons is shown to be
served at the present time.
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that if "a defendant is not served within
120 days after the complaint is filed, the court--on motion or its own after notice to the plaintiff-must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made
within a specified time. See FRCvP, Rule 4(m).
Since it is not greater than 120 days from the filing of the Plaintiff's complaint the
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 7) is DENIED.
In light of the above ruling the Plaintiff's Motion to Quash the Defendant's Motion to
Dismiss (ECF No. 8) is DENIED as MOOT.
The court has verified that at the time she filed her complaint the Plaintiff paid the
required filing fee with the clerk's office. (Receipt Number 2010504). In addition the Plaintiff
draws Social Security Disability of $1234 per month and has $1000 in her checking and savings.
The Plaintiff's Motion to Proceed IFP is DENIED.
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Dated this October 24, 2012.

/s/J. Marschewski
HONORABLE JAMES R. MARSCHEWSKI
CHIEF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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