Kurtz v. Maryland et al

Filing 6

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER - Plaintiff's Complaint (Filing No. 1 ) is dismissed without prejudice. A separate Judgment will be entered in accordance with this Memorandum and Order. Ordered by Chief Judge Laurie Smith Camp. (Copy mailed to pro se party) (AOA)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
JOSEPH A. KURTZ,
Plaintiff,
v.
CHRISTOPHER MARYLAND, and
JOSHUA FRANCE,
Defendants.

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CASE NO. 8:13CV170

MEMORANDUM
AND ORDER

Plaintiff filed his Complaint in this matter on June 3, 2013. (Filing No. 1.) Plaintiff
has been given leave to proceed in forma pauperis in this matter. (Filing No. 5.) The court
now conducts an initial review of Plaintiff’s claims to determine whether summary dismissal
is appropriate under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2).
I.

SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT
Plaintiff filed his Complaint against Christopher Maryland and Joshua France.

(Filing No. 1 at CM/ECF p. 1.) Plaintiff alleges that the events giving rise to his Complaint
occurred “some where around Sept[ember] 2013.” (Id. at CM/ECF p. 2.) Plaintiff’s
allegations, in their entirety, are as follows:
Sent letter to Senator Johanns and the letter got returned. Some one
open[ed] the letter and gave it to George Himelio. George approach[ed] me
with open letter and said to find a knew [sic] place to live. I drop the letter in
the hallway and it got open[ed] and given to George. Christopher Maryland
and Joshua France were consistently causing problems in the house on
second level of 1323 Martha St 68108[.] #2 Christopher Maryland threaten
my safety in public by adding his friends and father. Joshua Frace #5 room
consistently caused problems even flipped me a finger when pulled in
driveway of 1323 Martha St 68108.
(Id. at CM/ECF p. 3.) For relief, Plaintiff seeks $500.00 for “loss of property.” (Id. at
CM/ECF p. 4.)
II.

APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARDS ON INITIAL REVIEW
The court is required to review in forma pauperis complaints to determine whether

summary dismissal is appropriate. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). The court must dismiss

a complaint or any portion thereof that states a frivolous or malicious claim, that fails to
state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seeks monetary relief from a
defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
Pro se plaintiffs must set forth enough factual allegations to “nudge[] their claims
across the line from conceivable to plausible,” or “their complaint must be dismissed” for
failing to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly,
550 U.S. 544, 569-70 (2007); see also Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009), (“A
claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court
to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.”).
Regardless of whether a plaintiff is represented or is appearing pro se, the plaintiff’s
complaint must allege specific facts sufficient to state a claim. See Martin v. Sargent, 780
F.2d 1334, 1337 (8th Cir. 1985). However, a pro se plaintiff’s allegations must be
construed liberally. Burke v. North Dakota Dep’t of Corr. & Rehab., 294 F.3d 1043, 104344 (8th Cir. 2002), (citations omitted).
III.

DISCUSSION OF CLAIMS
“If the court determines at any time that it lacks subject-matter jurisdiction, the court

must dismiss the action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3). Subject-matter jurisdiction is proper
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332, commonly referred to as “diversity of citizenship” jurisdiction,
when “the citizenship of each plaintiff is different from the citizenship of each defendant.”
Ryan v. Schneider Natl. Carriers, Inc., 263 F.3d 816, 819 (8th Cir. 2001). In addition, the
amount in controversy must be greater than $75,000.00 for diversity of citizenship
jurisdiction. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a).
Subject-matter jurisdiction may also exist where a plaintiff asserts a “non-frivolous
claim of a right or remedy under a federal statute,” commonly referred to as federal2

question jurisdiction. Northwest South Dakota Prod. Credit Ass’n v. Smith, 784 F.2d 323,
325 (8th Cir. 1986).
Upon careful review of Plaintiff’s Complaint, the court finds that it lacks subjectmatter jurisdiction over this matter. As to diversity of citizenship jurisdiction, Plaintiff alleges
that both he and Defendants are citizens of Nebraska. Thus, diversity of citizenship
jurisdiction does not exist in this case. As to federal-question jurisdiction, Plaintiff does not
set forth any specific actions taken by Defendants that violate any constitutional right or
support a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or any other federal statute. Furthermore, Plaintiff
does not allege that Defendants are state actors. In short, Plaintiff does not allege that
Defendants deprived him of a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United
States, or that the alleged deprivation was committed under color of state law. For these
reasons, the court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction and this action must be dismissed
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h)(3).
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that: Plaintiff’s Complaint (Filing No. 1) is dismissed
without prejudice.

A separate Judgment will be entered in accordance with this

Memorandum and Order.
DATED this 27th day of August, 2013.
BY THE COURT:

s/Laurie Smith Camp
Chief United States District Judge

*This opinion may contain hyperlinks to other documents or Web sites. The U.S. District
Court for the District of Nebraska does not endorse, recommend, approve, or guarantee any third
parties or the services or products they provide on their Web sites. Likewise, the court has no
agreements with any of these third parties or their Web sites. The court accepts no responsibility
for the availability or functionality of any hyperlink. Thus, the fact that a hyperlink ceases to work
or directs the user to some other site does not affect the opinion of the court.

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