Johnson v. Smith et al

Filing 8

ORDER DISMISSING CASE without prejudice; Denying 2 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis because Plaintiff has "3 strikes" and is not under "imminent danger"; Denying as moot 3 MOTION to Appoint Counsel; and Denying as moot 4 MOTION to Excuse Previous Case Dispositions and Search Fees. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 1/4/2010. (jwt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS LENNIL L. JOHNSON, Plaintiff, vs. MARCUS SMITH, et al., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

CIVIL NO. 09-cv-432-JPG

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER GILBERT, District Judge: At the time he filed his pro se civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and his motion to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, Plaintiff was confined at the St. Clair County Jail (SCCJ).1 Although it appears that after filing the complaint and the instant motion to proceed in forma pauperis Plaintiff was released from confinement,2 he was detained at the time he filed these pleadings and, therefore, the prisoner provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915 still apply. See Robbins v. Switzer, 104 F.3d 895, 897-98 (7th Cir. 1997). A prisoner may not bring a civil action or appeal a civil judgment under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 "if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the

The complaint states that Plaintiff's address and "present place of confinement" is SCCJ. In Johnson v. Justus, Case No. 3:09-cv-336-DRH (S.D. Ill. filed May 4, 2009), Plaintiff alleged that he was confined at SCCJ "for final disposition on a pending felony complaint." Plaintiff filed notices with the Court indicating a non-prison address. See (Docs. 6 and 7). Additionally, the Illinois Department of Corrections's inmate locator service indicates that Plaintiff is currently on parole.
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prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). In the Seventh Circuit, a strike may be counted if any portion of an action is dismissed for these enumerated grounds. See George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 607-08 (7th Cir. 2007); Boriboune v. Berge, 391 F.3d 852, 855 (7th Cir. 2004). Plaintiff has had three or more prior prisoner actions dismissed, or partially dismissed, on the grounds that they were frivolous, malicious, or failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. See, e.g., Johnson v. Churchich, 94-538-PER (dismissed as frivolous 1/24/95 ); Johnson v. Stanley, 95-507-WDS (dismissed as frivolous 8/7/95 ); Johnson v. Washington, 95819-PER (dismissed as frivolous 7/11/96). Thus, Plaintiff may not proceed in forma pauperis unless he is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. The Court now turns to the question of whether the complaint alleges sufficient facts indicating that Plaintiff is "under imminent danger of serious physical injury." The Seventh Circuit has explained that "imminent danger" requires a "real and proximate" threat or prison condition. See Ciarpaglini v. Saini, 352 F.3d 328, 330 (7th Cir. 2003). Allegations of past harm are not sufficient to state imminent danger; "the harm must be imminent or occurring at the time the complaint is filed." Id. A plaintiff has not sufficiently alleged imminent danger where he states a past injury that has not recurred. Id. "By using the term `imminent,' Congress indicated that it wanted to include a safety valve for the `three strikes' rule to prevent impending harms, not those harms that had already occurred." Abdul-Akbar v. McKelvie, 239 F.3d 307, 315 (3rd Cir. 2001) (emphasis added). Furthermore, federal courts also deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis when a prisoner's claim of "imminent danger" are conclusory. Ciarpaglini, 352 F.3d 331; see also White v. Colorado, 157 F.3d 1226, 1231 (10th Cir. 1998)("vague and conlusory"

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assertions of withheld medical treamtne when prisoner was seen over 100 times by physician is not imminent danger). Briefly, Plaintiff's complaint alleges that on March 8, 2009, he was arrested by Marcus Smith a police officer from the Brooklyn, Illinois, police department while he was visiting a friend identified as Latesha Jackson. Plaintiff contends that Smith used excessive force in effecting the arrest causing obvious injuries to Plaintiff. Smith then transported Plaintiff to the Brooklyn, Illinois, police department where Smith booked Plaintiff. During the booking process, Plaintiff states he was required to turn over all of his personal property (e.g. watch, medallions, wallet). A few hours later, Plaintiff was released from custody, but Smith did not return the personal property to Plaintiff because, Smith claimed, he could not find it. Plaintiff was taken to the hospital by Jackson where he was treated for his injuries. Plaintiff claims that Smith beat him up because Smith was having an affair with Jackson. Based on these allegations, the Court finds that Plaintiff is not "imminent danger," and, therefore, the instant motion to proceed in forma pauperis must be denied. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 2) is DENIED. This action is DISMISSED without prejudice. All other pending motions are DENIED as MOOT. The Clerk shall CLOSE THIS CASE. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: 1/4/2010. s/ J. Phil Gilbert U. S. District Judge

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