Richards #641715 v. Thomas et al

Filing 4

OPINION; signed by Judge Gordon J. Quist (Judge Gordon J. Quist, jmt)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION

KYLE B. RICHARDS,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No. 1:14-cv-422
Honorable Gordon J. Quist

CHRISTOPHER THOMAS et al.,
Defendants.
____________________________________/

OPINION DENYING LEAVE
TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS - THREE STRIKES
Plaintiff Kyle B. Richards, a prisoner incarcerated at Ionia Correctional Facility, filed
the instant action, purportedly seeking a writ of mandamus under 28 U.S.C. § 1361. Plaintiff seeks
leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Because Plaintiff has filed at least three lawsuits that were
dismissed as frivolous, malicious or for failure to state a claim, he is barred from proceeding in
forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). The Court will order Plaintiff to pay the $400.00 civil
action filing fee applicable to those not permitted to proceed in forma pauperis within twenty-eight
(28) days of this opinion and accompanying order. If Plaintiff fails to do so, the Court will order
that his action be dismissed without prejudice. Even if the case is dismissed, Plaintiff will be
responsible for payment of the $400.00 filing fee in accordance with In re Alea, 286 F.3d 378, 38081 (6th Cir. 2002).

Discussion
The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), Pub. L. No. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321
(1996), which was enacted on April 26, 1996, amended the procedural rules governing a prisoner’s
request for the privilege of proceeding in forma pauperis. As the Sixth Circuit has stated, the PLRA
was “aimed at the skyrocketing numbers of claims filed by prisoners – many of which are
meritless – and the corresponding burden those filings have placed on the federal courts.” Hampton
v. Hobbs, 106 F.3d 1281, 1286 (6th Cir. 1997). For that reason, Congress put into place economic
incentives to prompt a prisoner to “stop and think” before filing a complaint. Id. For example, a
prisoner is liable for the civil action filing fee, and if the prisoner qualifies to proceed in forma
pauperis, the prisoner may pay the fee through partial payments as outlined in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b).
The constitutionality of the fee requirements of the PLRA has been upheld by the Sixth Circuit. Id.
at 1288.
In addition, another provision reinforces the “stop and think” aspect of the PLRA by
preventing a prisoner from proceeding in forma pauperis when the prisoner repeatedly files
meritless lawsuits. Known as the “three-strikes” rule, the provision states:
In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a judgment
in a civil action or proceeding under [the section governing proceedings in forma pauperis] 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 prisoner is under
imminent danger of serious physical injury.
28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). The statutory restriction “[i]n no event,” found in § 1915(g), is express and
unequivocal. The statute does allow an exception for a prisoner who is “under imminent danger of
serious physical injury.” The Sixth Circuit has upheld the constitutionality of the “three-strikes” rule
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against arguments that it violates equal protection, the right of access to the courts, and due process,
and that it constitutes a bill of attainder and is ex post facto legislation. Wilson v. Yaklich, 148 F.3d
596, 604-06 (6th Cir. 1998); accord Pointer v. Wilkinson, 502 F.3d 369, 377 (6th Cir. 2007) (citing
Wilson, 148 F.3d at 604-06); Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1178-82 (9th Cir. 1999); Rivera
v. Allin, 144 F.3d 719, 723-26 (11th Cir. 1998); Carson v. Johnson, 112 F.3d 818, 821-22 (5th Cir.
1997).
Petitioner has been an active litigant in the federal courts in Michigan. In more than
three of Petitioner’s lawsuits, the Court entered dismissals because the actions were frivolous,
malicious, or failed to state a claim. See, e.g., Colar et al. v. Hienz et al., No. 1:12-1197 (W.D. Mich.
Mar. 5, 2013); Colar et al. v. Heyns et al., No. 1:12-cv-1269 (W.D. Mich. Jan. 13, 2013); Richards
v. Smith et al., No. 1:11-cv-10929 (E.D. Mich. May 16, 2011); Richards v. Swartz et al., No. 2:10cv-13759 (E.D. Mich. Oct. 14, 2010); Richards v. Schuster et al., No. 2:10-cv-10100 (E.D. Mich.
July 8, 2010). In addition, Petitioner has been denied leave to proceed in forma pauperis in
numerous cases because he has three strikes. See Richards v. Snyder et al., No. 1:14-cv-339 (W.D.
Mich. Apr. 23, 2014); Richards v. Snyder et al., No. 1:14-cv-299 (W.D. Mich. Apr. 14, 2014);
Richards et al. v. Debhour et al., No. 1:14-cv-239 (W.D. Mich. Mar. 26, 2014); Richards v. Arp. et
al., No. 1:13-cv-171 (W.D. Mich. Apr. 27, 2013); Richards v. United States, No. 2:11-cv-12522
(E.D. Mich. June 20, 2011).1 Moreover, Plaintiff’s allegations do not fall within the exception to
the three-strikes rule because he does not allege any facts establishing that he is under imminent
danger of serious physical injury.

1

Petitioner also has filed dozens of cases in the Eastern District of M ichigan, several that were dismissed
because they were frivolous or failed to state a claim and others that were dismissed after Petitioner was denied leave
to proceed in forma pauperis under the three-strikes rule.

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In light of the foregoing, § 1915(g) prohibits Plaintiff from proceeding in forma
pauperis in this action. Plaintiff has twenty-eight (28) days from the date of entry of this order to
pay the entire civil action filing fee, which is $400.00. When Plaintiff pays his filing fee, the Court
will screen his complaint as required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. If Plaintiff fails to pay the filing fee
within the 28-day period, his case will be dismissed without prejudice, but he will continue to be
responsible for payment of the $400.00 filing fee.

Dated: May 12, 2014

/s/ Gordon J. Quist
GORDON J. QUIST
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

SEND REMITTANCES TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
Clerk, U.S. District Court
399 Federal Building
110 Michigan Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
All checks or other forms of payment shall be payable to “Clerk, U.S. District Court.”

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