Dillard v. Pavicic et al
Filing
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Memorandum Opinion and Order dismissing this action under section 1915A. Further, the court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an appeal from this decision could not be taken in good faith. Signed by Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr on 3/31/2014. (D,M)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
BRUCE DILLARD,
Plaintiff,
v.
MICHAEL PAVICIC, et al.,
Defendants.
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CASE NO. 1:13 CV 2212
JUDGE SOLOMON OLIVER, JR.
MEMORANDUM OF OPINION
AND ORDER
On October 7, 2013, plaintiff pro se Bruce Dillard, an inmate at the Federal Correctional
Institution at Schuylkill, filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action against the following defendants:
Michael Pavicic, Robert Pace, Gerald T. McFaul, and Kyle A. Walton. According to the
complaint, in 1999, plaintiff was illegally detained for 10 days in the Cuyahoga County Jail after
he posted a bail bond on state criminal charges.
A district court is expressly required to dismiss any civil action filed by a prisoner
seeking relief from a governmental officer or entity, as soon as possible after docketing, if the
court concludes that the complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or if
the plaintiff seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C.
§1915A; Siller v. Dean, No. 99-5323, 2000 WL 145167 , at *2 (6th Cir. Feb. 1, 2000).
Ohio's two year statute of limitations for bodily injury applies to section 1983 claims.
LRL Properties v. Portage Metro Housing Authority, 55 F.3d 1097 (6th Cir.1995). Even
assuming plaintiff might otherwise have a valid cause of action, it is apparent on the face of the
complaint that the statute of limitations expired well before this case was filed, as the alleged
conduct complained of took place over 14 years ago. There would be no purpose in allowing
this matter to go forward in view of the fact that it is clearly time-barred. See Castillo v. Grogan,
52 F. App'x 750, 751 (6th Cir.2002) (district court may sua sponte dismiss complaint as timebarred when the defect is obvious); Alston v. Tennessee Dept. of Corrections, 28 F. App’x 475,
476 (6th Cir. Jan.28, 2002)(sua sponte dismissal of the complaint appropriate where expiration
of statute of limitations obvious on face of complaint); Fraley v. Ohio Gallia County, 1998 WL
789385 * 1 (6th Cir., Oct.30, 1998)(affirming sua sponte dismissal of pro se § 1983 action filed
after two year statute of limitations for bringing such an action had expired); Hunterson v.
Disabato, 244 Fed.Appx. 455, 457 (3d Cir. June 20, 2007)(a district court may sua sponte
dismiss a claim as time-barred where it is apparent applicable limitations period has run); Ali v.
Morgan, 2009 WL 872896 * 3 (E.D.Ky., Mar. 27, 2009)(if statute of limitations defense clearly
appears on the face of a pleading, district court can raise issue sua sponte); Balch v. City of
Warren, 2008 WL 687079 * 1 (N.D.Ohio, Mar. 10, 2008) (same).
Accordingly, this action is dismissed under section 1915A. Further, the court certifies,
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an appeal from this decision could not be taken in good
faith.
/S/SOLOMON OLIVER, JR.
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
March 31, 2014
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