Oneal v. Adams et al

Filing 6

ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Signed by Honorable Susan O. Hickey on May 22, 2023.(mll)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS TEXARKANA DIVISION ALBERT ONEAL, JR. v. PLAINTIFF Case No. 4:23-cv-4025 CAPTAIN GOLDEN ADAMS; SERGEANT GOLDEN; and SERGEANT HANNING DEFENDANTS ORDER Plaintiff Albert Oneal, Jr. originally attempted to join in a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action filed pro se on July 28, 2022, by Ray Cornelieus Calvert. As pro se litigants are unable to represent other parties, the Court severed Plaintiff’s claim from Mr. Calvert’s and opened the instant action on March 2, 2022. 1 ECF No. 3. Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s failure to comply with 0F orders of the Court. In the Court’s March 2, 2023 Order, Plaintiff was directed to file a completed in forma pauperis (IFP) Application and an Amended Complaint in this case. ECF No. 3. Plaintiff’s IFP Application and Amended Complaint were due on April 2, 2023. Id. The Court’s Order was not returned as undeliverable mail and Plaintiff did not respond. On April 17, 2023, the Court entered an Order to Show Cause as to why Plaintiff failed to file his IFP Application and Amended Complaint. ECF No. 5. Plaintiff was given until May 8, 2023 to respond to the Order to Show Cause. Id. This Order was not returned as undeliverable mail, and Plaintiff has failed to respond or file his IFP Application and Amended Complaint. 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. 1 See Calvert v. Runion, et al., Civil No. 4:22-cv-4067, ECF No. 33. 1984). The Local Rules state 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). Plaintiff has failed to obey multiple Court Orders. 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 Amended Complaint (ECF No. 1) is hereby DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. IT IS SO ORDERED, this 22nd day of May 2023. /s/ Susan O. Hickey Susan O. Hickey Chief United States District Judge 2

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