Wiggins v. Kelley et al
Filing
8
ORDER re 2 Complaint filed by Shawn Blair Wiggins. This case is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Signed by Honorable P. K. Holmes, III on November 17, 2017. (mjm)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
HOT SPRINGS DIVISION
SHAWN BLAIR WIGGINS
v.
PLAINTIFF
Civil No.6:17-cv-06097
WENDY KELLEY, Director Arkansas
Department of Correction; N. FAUST,
Warden Ouachita River Correctional
Unit; and A. JACKSON, Ouachita River
Correctional Unit
EFENDANTS
ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff Shawn Blair Wiggins’ failure to obey two court orders.
Plaintiff filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action pro se in the Eastern District of Arkansas. (ECF No.
2). On September 18, 2017, the case was transferred to the Western District of Arkansas, Hot
Springs Division. (ECF No. 4).
On September 21, 2017, the Court entered an order directing Plaintiff to submit an
amended complaint by October 6, 2017, in order for Plaintiff to state how each named Defendant
violated his federal constitutional rights. (ECF No. 6). Plaintiff did not respond. On October 27,
2017, the Court entered an order directing Plaintiff to show cause by November 13, 2017, as to
why he failed to file an amended complaint. (ECF No. 7). The order informed Plaintiff that failure
to comply with the order would result in the Complaint becoming subject so summary dismissal
for failure to obey an order of the Court. To date, Plaintiff has not responded to the Court’s order
to show cause.
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). The Local Rules state in pertinent part:
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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.
A party appearing for himself/herself shall sign his/her pleadings. . . . 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 obey two of this Court’s 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 Complaint (ECF No. 2) is DISMISSED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this17th day of November, 2017.
/s/P.K.Holmes, III
HON. P. K. HOLMES, III
CHIEF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE
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