Hunter et al v. Knapp et al

Filing 45

ORDER denying 34 Motion for Order directing USP-Terre Haute to send funds; denying 44 Motion to to freeze assets of the defendants. Signed by Judge Michael J. Reagan on 3/4/2009. (jwt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS JASON HUNTER, and JAMES LITTLE Plaintiff, vs. THOMAS KNAPP, et al., Defendants. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER REAGAN, District Judge: This matter is before the Court on the motions of Plaintiff Jason Hunter for an order directing the United States Penitentiary located in Terre Haute, Indiana, (USP-Terre Haute) to take funds from his inmate trust fund account to pay the filing fee in this case (Doc. 34) and for an order to freeze the assets of the Defendants (Doc. 44). This Court granted Plaintiff Hunter leave to proceed in forma pauperis in this action (Doc. 18). At that time, Plaintiff Hunter was confined at the St. Clair County Jail and a copy of the Order granting Plaintiff Hunter in forma pauperis status was sent to the Warden at the Jail. At some point during this case it appears Plaintiff Hunter was transferred to USP-Terre Haute. At the present time, however, Plaintiff is confined at the United States Penitentiary located in Coleman, Florida, (USPColeman). Accordingly, Plaintiff Hunter's motion to direct the prison staff at USP-Terre Haute to take money from his inmate account would be moot. The Court further notes that under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2) the Federal Bureau of Prisons is directed to send funds from an inmate's account to a federal court when certain conditions exist. From Plaintiff Hunter's motion, it is not clear whether ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

CIVIL NO. 07-cv-364-MJR

those conditions are met. Therefore, Plaintiff Hunter's motion for an order directing USP-Terre Haute to take funds from his inmate account to pay the filing fee in this case (Doc. 34) is DENIED. The Clerk of Court, however, is DIRECTED to send a copy of the Court's Order granting Plaintiff Hunter in forma pauperis status (Doc. 18) to the Warden at USP-Coleman along with a copy of this Memorandum and Order. To enable the Bureau of Prisons to remit these payments to the Clerk of Court as required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff shall complete, sign and return one "Consent Form -- In Forma Pauperis Proceedings" to the Clerk of this Court in the envelope provided, within FIFTEEN (15) DAYS of the date of entry of this order. The Clerk is DIRECTED to provide two copies of the appropriate form to Plaintiff with his copy of this Order, along with a pre-addressed return envelope. Failure to provide the Bureau of Prisons with this authorization shall be grounds for dismissal of this case. FED.R.CIV.P. 41(b); see generally Ladien v. Astrachan, 128 F.3d 1051 (7th Cir. 1997); Johnson v. Kamminga, 34 F.3d 466 (7th Cir. 1994). However, Plaintiff will still be liable for the full filing fee for this action. Plaintiff's motion to freeze the assets of the Defendants (Doc. 44) is DENIED. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED this 4th day of March, 2009. s/ Michael J. Reagan MICHAEL J. REAGAN United States District Judge

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