Smith v. Kenard

Filing 10

ORDER RULING ON REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION: The Court adopts the R&R (Dkt. No. 8) as the Order of the Court and summarily dismisses this action.AND IT IS SO ORDERED. Signed by Honorable Richard M Gergel on 2/6/24. (ltap, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Ronald Smith,

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Plaintiff,
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vs.
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Laticia Kenard,
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Defendant.
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____________________________________)

C.A. No. 8:24-166-RMG

ORDER

This matter is before the Court on the Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) of the Magistrate
Judge, recommending that the Court summarily dismiss this action brought by an inmate in the
custody of the South Carolina Department of Corrections under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 because his
claim lacks federal jurisdiction and fails to state a claim under § 1983. (Dkt. No. 8). For the reasons
set forth below, the Court adopts the R&R as the order of the Court and summarily dismisses this
action.
Background
Plaintiff asserts a claim against the Defendant, a friend, for allegedly depriving him of
funds he in placed in her control. Plaintiff asserts a claim for $13,000 against Defendant. The
Magistrate Judge issued a R & R finding that since Defendant is not a state actor, there is no
federal jurisdiction under § 1983, and there is no diversity jurisdiction because the claim does not
equal to or exceed $75,000. (Dkt. No. 8 at 5-9). The Magistrate Judge informed Plaintiff that he
had 14 days from receipt of the R & R to file objections, and if he failed to do so, limited clear
error review would be conducted by the District Court and there would be a waiver of the right to
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appeal. (Dkt. No. 8 at 11). Petitioner did not object to the R&R. This matter is ripe for the
Court’s review.
Legal Standard 
The Magistrate Judge makes only a recommendation to this Court. The recommendation
has no presumptive weight, and the responsibility for making a final determination remains with
this Court. See Mathews v. Weber, 423 U.S. 261, 270–71 (1976). This Court is charged with
making a de novo determination of those portions of the Report and Recommendation to which
specific objection is made. Additionally, the Court may “accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in
part, the findings or recommendations made by the magistrate judge.” 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).
Where the Petitioner fails to file any specific objections, “a district court need not conduct a de
novo review, but instead must only satisfy itself that there is no clear error on the face of the record
in order to accept the recommendation.” See Diamond v. Colonial Life & Accident Ins. Co., 416
F.3d 310, 315 (4th Cir. 2005) (internal quotation omitted). Because Petitioner did not file
objections to the R&R, the Court reviews the R&R for clear error.
Discussion
The Court finds that the Magistrate Judge ably addressed the issues and correctly concluded
that Plaintiff failed to state a claim under § 1983 and the Court lacks jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s
claim.
Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, the Court adopts the R&R (Dkt. No. 8) as the Order of the
Court and summarily dismisses this action.
AND IT IS SO ORDERED.

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s/ Richard M. Gergel
Richard M. Gergel
United States District Judge
February 6, 2024
Charleston, South Carolina

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