Jackson v. Colombo et al
Filing
7
OPINION AND ORDER dismissed without prejudice re: 1 Complaint, denying 2 MOTION for leave to proceed in forma pauperis/affidavit of indigency. Plaintiff may file an amended complaint within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Order. Failure to file an amended complaint as directed will result in the dismissal of this case without further action. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 5/14/2018. (SLU)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
FORT MYERS DIVISION
CHARLIE JACKSON,
Plaintiff,
v.
Case No: 2:18-cv-252-FtM-99MRM
MICHAEL A. COLOMBO, JR.,
FRANCINE H DONNOROMMO,
RAMERO MANALICH and SAM
SORRELLE,
Defendants.
/
OPINION AND ORDER1
This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff Charlie Jackson's Affidavit of
Indigency Construed as a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 2) filed on April 16,
2018. Plaintiff initiated this action by filing a pro se 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Civil Rights
Complaint Form (Doc. 1) while detained in the Lee County Jail. Plaintiff seeks leave to
proceed without payment of fees.
The Prison Litigation Reform Act requires this Court to screen actions against
governmental entities, officers, or employees of a governmental entity, to determine
whether the complaint is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim. See 28 U.S.C. §
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1915A; see also 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(b)(ii)(screening that applies to prisoner cases
seeking to proceed in forma pauperis). The standards that govern dismissals under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) apply to dismissals under § 1915A and §
1915(e)(2)(b)(ii). Douglas v. Yates, 535 F.3d 1316, 1319-20 (11th Cir. 2008) (internal
citation omitted). “While a complaint attacked by a rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss does
not need detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff’s obligation to provide the ‘grounds’ of his
entitle[ment] to relief’ requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic
recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550
U.S. 444, 555 (2007). “Factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief about
the speculative level.” Id. at 555 (citations omitted). “Threadbare recitals of the elements
of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft
v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). Furthermore, dismissal for failure to state a claim is
appropriate if the facts as pled fail to state a claim for relief that is “plausible on its face.”
Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). Plausibility requires more than “a sheer possibility
that a defendant has acted unlawfully.” Id. Rather, “[a] claim has facial plausibility when
the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference
that he defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Id.
Additionally, § 1915 requires dismissal when the legal theories advanced are
“indisputably meritless,” Nietzke, 490 U.S. at 327; when the claims rely on factual
allegations which are “clearly baseless,” Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 32 (1992);
or, when it appears that the plaintiff has “little or no chance of success,” Bilal v. Driver,
251 F.3d 1346, 1349 (11th Cir. 2001). This Court is cognizant that it must liberally
construe a pro se complaint. Douglas, 535 F.3d at 1319-20 (internal citation omitted). This
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liberal construction does not give a court license to rewrite an otherwise deficient pleading
in order to sustain an action. GJR Invs., Inc. v. Cnty. of Escambia, Florida, 132 F.3d 1359,
1369 (11th Cir. 1998), overruled on other grounds by, Aschroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662 (2009).
To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege that (1) the
defendant deprived him of a right secured under the Constitution or federal law, and (2)
the deprivation occurred under color of state law. Bingham v. Thomas, 654 F.3d 1171,
1175 (11th Cir. 2011) (citing Arrington v. Cobb County, 139 F.3d 865, 872 (11th Cir.
1998). In addition, a plaintiff must allege and establish an affirmative causal connection
between the defendant’s conduct and the constitutional deprivation. Marsh v. Butler
County, Ala., 268 F.3d 1014, 1059 (11th Cir. 2001); Swint v. City of Wadley, Ala., 51 F.3d
988, 999 (11th Cir. 1995); Tittle v. Jefferson County Comm'n, 10 F.3d 1535, 1541 n.1
(11th Cir. 1994).
Here Plaintiff avers that unknown officers violated his rights without providing any
factual basis to support his claims. Plaintiff’s Complaint does not specify what the named
defendants did to violate his constitutional rights nor set forth a cause of action upon
which relief may be granted. Instead, Plaintiff’s “Statement of Claim” simply states that
he was handcuffed and transported without an arrest warrant or probable cause to Lee
County Jail. (Doc. 1 at 5). Plaintiff says Detective Alesha Morel arrested him and charged
him with two counts of sexual activity with a child in violation of Fla. Stat. § 794.011(b).
Id. Plaintiff avers that the officers and judges in Lee County Courts have no jurisdiction
over him because he is a living breathing man distinguished from his property and title.
Id. Even liberally construing the Complaint, Plaintiff has failed to state a cognizable claim
under § 1983. As such, Plaintiff’s Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis is due to be denied
and his Complaint dismissed with leave to amend.
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Plaintiff is cautioned that his amended complaint must comply with the federal rules of
civil procedure. Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires “a short and plain
statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a)(2). This
requirement ensures that the defendant is given fair notice of what the claim is and the
grounds upon which it rests. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 561- 563, S. Ct.
127 S. Ct. 1955, 167 L. Ed 2d 929 (2007) (abrogating Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46,
78 S. Ct. 99, 2 L. Ed. 2d 80 (1957)). To meet this standard, the plaintiff must allege “more
than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action
will not do. Twombly, 128 S. Ct. at 1965 (citing Papasan v. Allain, 478 U.S. 265, 286, 106 S.
Ct. 2932, 92 L.Ed.2d 209 (1986)).
Additionally, Plaintiff must name as Defendants only those persons who are
responsible for the particular alleged constitutional violations. Plaintiff should succinctly state
what rights under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States have been violated
in the section entitled "Statement of Claim." It is improper for Plaintiff to merely list
constitutional rights or federal rights. Plaintiff must provide support in the statement of facts
for the claimed violations.
Further, Plaintiff should clearly describe how each named defendant is involved in the
alleged constitutional violation(s) in the amended complaint. Plaintiff should note that, in civil
rights cases, more than conclusory and vague allegations are required to state a cause of
action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Fullman v. Graddick, 739 F.2d 553, 556-7 (11th Cir. 1984);
Baskin v. Parker, 602 F.2d 1205, 1208 (5th Cir. 1979). Although personal participation is not
specifically required for liability under section 1983, there must be some causal connection
between the defendant named and the injury allegedly sustained. Sims v. Adams, 537 F.2d
829 (5th Cir. 1976). One cannot be held liable for the actions and/or omissions of others, but
can only be held responsible if he participated in the deprivation of Plaintiff's constitutional
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rights or directed such action and/or omission that resulted in such deprivation. Finally,
Plaintiff must show specifically how he has been damaged (how he was harmed or injured by
the actions and/or omissions of the defendant(s)).
Accordingly, it is now
ORDERED:
(1) Plaintiff Charlie Jackson's Affidavit of Indigency Construed as a Motion to
Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 2) is DENIED.
(2) Plaintiff’s Complaint (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED without prejudice.
(3) Plaintiff may file an amended complaint within FOURTEEN (14) DAYS of the
date of this Order. Failure to file an amended complaint as directed will result
in the dismissal of this case without further notice.
DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida this 14th day of May, 2018.
Copies:
Charlie Jackson
SA: FTMP-2
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