Small v. Holley et al

Filing 5

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION: Magistrate Judge RECOMMENDS denying 1 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis and dismissing this action for failure to prosecute and comply with Court Orders. Objections to R&R due by 10/16/2017. Signed by Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Jolson on 10/2/2017. (ew)(This document has been sent by regular mail to the party(ies) listed in the NEF that did not receive electronic notification.)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION
GREGORY S. SMALL,
Plaintiff,
v.

Civil Action 2:17-cv-737
Judge Algenon L. Marbley
Magistrate Judge Jolson

WALT HOLLEY, et al.,
Defendants.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
On August 21, 2017, Plaintiff moved for leave to proceed in forma pauperis under 28
U.S.C. § 1915(a). (Doc. 1). Plaintiff’s motion for leave did not include a certified copy of his
trust fund account statement, which is required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). On August 28, 2017,
the Court directed Plaintiff to submit to the Court within thirty days a certified copy of his trust
fund account statement from the prison cashier in compliance with 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2).
(Doc. 2). The Court informed Plaintiff that his failure to follow the Court’s direction would
require the Court to “presume that the prisoner is not a pauper, . . . assess the inmate the full
amount of fees[,] . . . [and] then order the case dismissed for want of prosecution.” (Id. (quoting
In re Prison Litig. Reform Act, 105 F.3d 1131, 1132 (6th Cir. 1997)).
Plaintiff filed an objection to the Court’s Order on September 6, 2017.

(Doc. 3).

Plaintiff’s objection was unclear, but seemed to convey a belief that the Court’s Order was
“void” because “28 U.S.C. 1915(a)(1) is a special remedial federal statute,” and he is imprisoned
for a violation of state law.

(Id. at 1).

§ 28 U.S.C. 1915(a) did not apply to him.

In other words, Plaintiff appeared to argue that

On September 7, 2017, the Court informed Plaintiff that § 28 U.S.C. 1915(a) applies to
any prisoner filing an action in federal court, regardless of whether they are a state or federal
inmate. (Doc. 4). Thus, the Court explained, once again, that a certified copy of Petitioner’s
trust fund account statement was a statutory requirement that he must comply with. (Id. at 1–2).
Plaintiff was also reminded that failure his failure to comply would result in this Court’s
recommendation that he is not a pauper and that the action be dismissed for want of prosecution.
(Id. at 2).
Plaintiff has failed to submit a certified copy of his trust fund account statement in
accordance with the Court’s August 28, 2017 and September 6, 2017 Orders. Accordingly, it is
RECOMMENDED that Plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis be denied
(Doc. 1) and that this action be DISMISSED for failure to prosecute and comply with the
Court’s Orders.
Procedure on Objections
If any party objects to this Report and Recommendation, that party may, within fourteen
(14) days of the date of this Report, file and serve on all parties written objections to those
specific proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made, together with
supporting authority for the objection(s).

A Judge of this Court shall make a de novo

determination of those portions of the Report or specified proposed findings or recommendations
to which objection is made. Upon proper objections, a Judge of this Court may accept, reject, or
modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made herein, may receive further
evidence or may recommit this matter to the Magistrate Judge with instructions. 28 U.S.C.
§ 636(b)(1).

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The parties are specifically advised that failure to object to the Report and
Recommendation will result in a waiver of the right to have the District Judge review the Report
and Recommendation de novo, and also operates as a waiver of the right to appeal the decision of
the District Court adopting the Report and Recommendation. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140
(1985); United States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir. 1981).
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: October 2, 2017

/s/ Kimberly A. Jolson
KIMBERLY A. JOLSON
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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