Johnson v. Schneider et al

Filing 12

ORDER DISMISSING CASE without prejudice, without leave to amend, based on Plaintiff's failure to comply with this Court's Order (Doc. 9) dated December 9, 2016 and/or failure to prosecute his claims. This dismissal shall not count as one of Plaintiff's three allotted strikes within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 1/26/2017. (tjk)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
JAMES DANIEL JOHNSON,
Plaintiff,
vs.
SCHNEIDER,
NURSE JANE DOE,
HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR
JANE DOE,
and WARDEN OF FEDERAL
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION,
Defendants.

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Case No. 16-cv-01322-JPG

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
GILBERT, District Judge:
Proceeding pro se, Plaintiff James Daniel Johnson filed the instant Bivens action pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 on December 8, 2016, after the case was transferred to this District from the
Northern District of Illinois. (Doc. 1). In the Complaint, he claimed several members of the
prison medical staff and the Warden of Greenville Correctional Institution were deliberately
indifferent to his medical needs. (Doc. 1, pp. 5-7). He brought claims against these officials
under the Eighth Amendment. Id. Plaintiff requested monetary damages. (Doc. 1, p. 7).
Plaintiff did not sign his Complaint, which is a requirement for every pleading under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(a). On December 9, 2016, the Court entered an Order
requiring Plaintiff to submit a properly completed and signed complaint within thirty-five days
of the Order, on or before January 13, 2017. (Doc. 9). Plaintiff was warned that failure to file an
amended complaint by the deadline or consistent with the Court’s Order (Doc. 9) would result in
dismissal of the action and striking of the Complaint. Id. (citing FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b)).
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The deadline for filing the amended complaint has now passed. Plaintiff did not file a
First Amended Complaint. He also did not request an extension of the deadline for doing so.
The Court will not allow this matter to linger indefinitely.
Accordingly, the action is hereby DISMISSED without prejudice, without leave to
amend, based on Plaintiff’s failure to comply with this Court’s Order (Doc. 9) dated December 9,
2016 and/or failure to prosecute his claims. See FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b); Ladien v. Astrachan, 128
F.3d 1051 (7th Cir. 1997); Johnson v. Kamminga, 34 F.3d 466 (7th Cir. 1994). This dismissal
shall not count as one of Plaintiff’s three allotted “strikes” within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. §
1915(g).
Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney Representation (Doc. 4) is DENIED as moot. Plaintiff’s
Application for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis will be addressed in a separate order of the
Court.
Plaintiff’s obligation to pay the filing fee for this action was incurred at the time the
action was filed, regardless of subsequent developments in the case. Accordingly, the filing fee
of $350.00 remains due and payable.1 See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1); Lucien v. Jockisch, 133 F.3d
464, 467 (7th Cir. 1998).
If Plaintiff wishes to appeal this Order, he may file a notice of appeal with this Court
within thirty days of the entry of judgment. FED. R. APP. 4(A)(4). If Plaintiff does choose to
appeal, he will be liable for the $505.00 appellate filing fee irrespective of the outcome of the
appeal. See FED. R. APP. 3(e); 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); Ammons v. Gerlinger, 547 F.3d 724, 72526 (7th Cir. 2008); Sloan v. Lesza, 181 F.3d 857, 858-59 (7th Cir. 1999); Lucien, 133 F.3d at
467. Moreover, if the appeal is found to be nonmeritorious, Plaintiff may incur a “strike.” A

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Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1914, effective May 1, 2013, an additional $50.00 administrative fee is also to be assessed
in all civil actions, unless pauper status has been granted.

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proper and timely motion filed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(e) may toll the 30day appeal deadline. FED. R. APP. P. 4(a)(4). A Rule 59(e) motion must be filed no more than
twenty-eight (28) days after the entry of judgment, and this 28-day deadline cannot be extended.
The Clerk’s Office is DIRECTED to close this case and enter judgment accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: January 26, 2017
s/J. Phil Gilbert
United States District Judge

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