Sullivan v. Core Civic et al

Filing 9

ORDER allowing the plaintiff 14 additional days to pay the initial filing fee of $18.67. (Compliance due by 7/11/2017). Signed by Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps on 6/27/17. (cmr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
DUBLIN DIVISION
MARIO ROMOAN SULLIVAN,

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Plaintiff,
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v.
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CORE CIVIC, Wheeler Correctional Facility; )
VANCE LAUGHLIN, Warden; GLYNN
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POWELL, Unit Manager; PAT CLARK,
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HSA; and NP HALL,
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Defendants.
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CV 317-017

ORDER
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Plaintiff, an inmate incarcerated at Georgia State Prison in Reidsville, Georgia, is
proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights case concerning events at
Wheeler Correctional Facility in Alamo, Georgia. On May 22, 2017, the Court directed
Plaintiff to pay an initial partial filing fee of $18.67 within thirty days of the date of the
Order and advised him that all prisoners, even those proceeding in forma pauperis, must pay
the filing fee of $350.00 in full. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). The time for responding to the
Court’s May 22nd Order has now expired, yet Plaintiff has failed to pay the assessed initial
partial filing fee as required by the relevant provisions of the United States Code.
Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”), prisoners granted in forma
pauperis status must, when funds are available, prepay at least a partial filing fee. 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915(b)(1)-(2). Courts may not except indigent prisoners from prepaying this partial filing

fee. See id.; see also Rivera v. Allin, 144 F.3d 719, 722 (11th Cir. 1998), abrogated on other
grounds by Jones v. Bock, 549 U.S. 199 (2007); Martin v. United States, 96 F.3d 853, 856
(7th Cir. 1996) (insisting, whenever feasible, on payment in advance of initial filing fee in
every civil action covered by the PLRA). Thus, Plaintiff shall have fourteen days from the
date of this Order to inform the Court of his intentions regarding this case by complying with
the Court’s Order directing payment of an initial filing fee of $18.67 or by showing the Court
why he has not complied with the Order directing the payment. The Court DIRECTS the
CLERK to immediately inform the Court of any payment of the initial filing fee which is
received from Plaintiff.
If Plaintiff notifies the Court he has decided not to pursue his case and wishes to
voluntarily dismiss his complaint at this time, then the case will not count as a “strike” which
may later subject Plaintiff to the three-strike dismissal rule under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). It is
important that Plaintiff communicate with the Court.
SO ORDERED this 27th day of June, 2017, at Augusta, Georgia.

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