Sampson v. Reynolds et al
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge George Jarrod Hazel on 6/21/2017. (c/m 6/21/2017 tds, Deputy Clerk)
IN TIlE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE ()JSTRICT OF MARYLAND
Southern Division
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DONNELL WESTLEY SAMPSON, #36.t639
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Plaintiff,
Case No.: G.JH-J7-J378
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v.
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COMMISSIONER REYNOLDS AND
KARLA SHOWALTER
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III t{"fir illdil'idlla{ capacities
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Defendants.
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MEMORANDUM OPINION
On May 18. 2017. Plaintiff Donnell Westley Sampson. an inmate housed at the Eastern
Correctional Institution. Illcd a complaint against Maryland Parole Commissioner Reynolds and
Karla Showalter. Assistant Public Defender. Post-Conviction Dclenders Division. alleging
violations pursuant to 42 U.S.c.
* 1983 and requesting $650.000.00
in compensatory and
punitive damages. ECF No. I. Sampson contends that Commissioner Reynolds revoKed his
mandatory parole release at a parole revocation hearing held on May 26. 2016. presumably due to
the fact that Sampson had "obtain led] a new charge and \Vasconvicted:' Id at 4. Sampson states
that at the same hearing. Commissioner Reynolds terminated his parole conditions. allowed him
approximately 90 days of credit. but then rescinded those days. Id Sampson states that he was
told he would be incarcerated until February 2017. Id. I: see a/so ECl' Nos. 1-2 and 1-3. Because
Sampson was still incarcerated as of May 18. 2017. he argues that his continued incarceration
"well exceeds my time to serve:' ECF No. I. Because he appears indigent. Sampson shall be
granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
Title 28 U.S.c. ~ 1915A provides for screening of any complaint "in which a prisoner
seeks redress from a governmental entity or ofticer or employee of a governmental entity:' 28
U.S.c. ~ 1915A(a): see a/so McLean
I'.
Uniled Slales. 566 l'.3d 391. 394 (4th Cir. 20(9). Bel()re
permitting the case to move forward or requiring a response from the delendants ... the court shall
identify cognizable claims or dismiss the complaint. or any portion of the complaint. if the
complaint (I) is frivolous. malicious. or fails to state a claim upon which rclief may be granted:
or (2) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such rcliee
1915A(h): see a/so Willial/lson
I'.
28 U.S.c. ~
An~e/one. 197 F. Supp. 2d 476. 478 (E.D. Va. 2001). The
screening is necessary to determine whether defendants should I?erequired to respond to the
action.
To the extent that Sampson is seeking damages under a 42 U.S.c. ~ 1983 civil rights
theory related to alleged illegal acts by government employees involving his parole revocation
and the computation of his sentences. the case shall be dismissed without prejudice as the claims
arc not eognizahle under fleck \'. HUI/Iphrey. 512 U.S. 477 (1994).
In fleck, an Indiana state prisoner sued two state prosecutors and a state investigator who
had participated in the investigation leading to plaintilrs conviction. I'laintiffalleged
that
defendants had knowingly destroyed evidence which was exculpatory in nature and had also
1 Sampson references "Exhibit C" but the COLIrt d~esnot see such an exhibit included in his filings.
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caused an unlawful voice identilication procedure to be used at trial. The complaint sought
compensatory and monetary damages. The Supreme Court concluded that the complaint must be
dismissed. holding that:
r t10 rccover
damages for alleged unconstitutional conviction or imprisonment. or lor
other harm caused by actions whose unlawfulness would render a conviction or
sentence invalid. a ~ 1983 plaintiff must prove that the conviction or sentence has
been reversed on direct appeal. expunged by executive order. declared invalid by a
state tribunal authorized to make such determination. or called into question by a
federal court's issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. 28 U.S.c. ~ 2254. A claim for
damages bearing that rclationship to a conviction or sentence that has not been so
invalidated is not cognizable under ~ 1983. Thus. when a state prisoner seeks
damages in a ~ 1983 suit. the district court must consider whether a judgment in
favor of the plaintiff would necessarily imply the invalidity of his conviction or
sentence; if it would. the complaint must be dismissed unless the plaintiff can
demonstrate that the conviction has already been invalidated. But iI'the district court
determines that the plaintiffs action. even if successful. will not demonstrate the
invalidity of any outstanding criminal judgment against the plaintifC the action
should be allowed to proceed in the absence of some other bar to the suit.
Heck. 512 U.S. at 486-7 (emphasis in original).
Here. Sampson claims that his mandatory parole release was revoked on May 26. 2016
and now contends that he is being held past his release date. Sampson's civil rights claim Illr
damages implicates the constitutionality of his incarceration. which cannot proceed in this court
without first demonstrating the invalidity of the scntence. Heck is also applicable to parole
procccdings or the fact or duration of a parole tenll. See Iloskelh
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Sills. 34 F. App'x 104. 105 n.
2 (4th Cir. 2002) (challenge to parole eligibility "implies the invalidity of [plaintiffs] current
confinement" and thus. is barred by fleck): Willial//s \'. COllSoI'OY. 453 F.3d 173. 177 (3d Cir.
20(6) (applying Heck to parole revocation decisions): Cokley
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Mack. No. CA 9: 12-881-RMG-
BM. 2012 WI. 1986528. at *3 (D.S.C. May 10.2012). report and recol//l//endationad0l'led.
CIV.A. 9:12-881-RMG. 2012 WI. 1993519 (D.S.C. June 4.2012) (allegation that parole was
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No.
unlawfully revokcd barred by Fleck). Heck's favorable termination requirement thus bars
Sampson's damage claim that Commissioner Reynolds and Public Defender Showalter
committed constitutional violations arising out of the revocation of his mandatory parole release.
The Court offers no opinion on the legality ofSampson's
current continement. Ifhc
wishes to challenge the lcngth and duration of his continement. keeping in mind the limitations
on such claims. hc may tile a 28 U.S.c.
* 2241 Petition for habeas corpus rcliefin
Ihis Court
after he has exhausted his remedies in state court by filing a petition for writ of habeas corpus.
For the aforementioned reasons. Sampson's Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma
Pauperis is granted. The Complaint shall. however. be dismisscd without prejudice. for failure to
state a claim. A separate Order follows.
Date: Junetl.
&t-
2017
GEORGE J. HAZEL
United Slates District Judge
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