Lankford v. United States of America

Filing 6

ORDER: On 5/29/2012, Mr. Lankford filed a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, 5 . However, Mr. Lankford's motion lacks his signature. The Clerk shall make a copy of the application for the court's records and return the original application to Mr. Lankford for his signature. Mr. Lankford, in turn, is directed to sign and return the application to the court, along with a signed statement setting forth with specificity (as detailed as possible) the sources and amounts of any and all income, benefits, or assets used to support himself for the past 12 months. Signed by Chief Judge Todd J. Campbell on 6/1/12. (xc:Pro se party by regular and certified mail.)(dt)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
NASHVILLE DIVISION
JOHN PIERCE LANKFORD,

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v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

No. 3:12-mc-00039
Judge Campbell

ORDER
John Pierce Lankford, a resident of Hendersonville, Tennessee, has filed a pro se “Petition for
Conditional Restoration of Citizenship Rights.” (Docket No. 1).
Because it is unclear from the petition whether Mr. Lankford seeks to initiate a federal civil
action or only to provide notice to the court of pending state court proceedings, by order entered on
May 10, 2012, the court directed Mr. Lankford to submit the required civil filing fee or an application
to proceed as a pauper if he intends to initiate a federal civil action. (Docket No. 2). The court further
instructed Mr. Lankford that, if he intends only to provide the court with notice of his state court
proceedings, he must notify the court in writing within thirty (30) days. (Id.)
On May 29, 2012, Mr. Lankford filed a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
(Docket No. 5). However, Mr. Lankford’s motion lacks his signature. (Id. at p. 1).
Further, the court is unable to rule on the plaintiff’s motion (application to proceed in forma
pauperis) with the information provided. Mr. Lankford’s application indicates that he has no expenses
and no income. (Docket No. 5). Yet, Mr. Lankford has provided the court with a residential mailing
address. Mr. Lankford likely has expenses related to shelter and food, at a minimum, which are not
included in the pauper application.

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Therefore, the Clerk shall make a copy of the application for the court’s records and return the
original application to Mr. Lankford for his signature. Mr. Lankford, in turn, is directed to sign and
return the application to the court, along with a signed statement setting forth with specificity (as
detailed as possible) the sources and amounts of any and all income, benefits, or assets used to
support himself for the past twelve (12) months, including, but not limited to: regular wages,
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, food stamps, worker’s compensation, unemployment
compensation, real and personal property, assistance from family or friends, etc. Mr. Lankford also
must provide the court with an estimate of his monthly expenses. The court needs this information so
that the court can assess whether Mr. Lankford is entitled to pursue his lawsuit as a pauper.
Mr. Lankford is forewarned that failure to provide the required information within the time
frame specified will result in the denial of his application to proceed in forma pauperis. Because this
action will not be filed until either (1) the plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis is
granted, or (2) he pays the three hundred fifty dollar ($350.00) civil filing fee, should the plaintiff fail
to submit the requested information or to pay the $350.00 filing fee within the time frame specified,
any limitations period applicable to this action will no longer be tolled, and the plaintiff’s lawsuit could
be dismissed.
An extension of time to comply with this order may be requested from this court if a motion
for an extension of time is filed within thirty (30) days of the date of entry of this order. Floyd v.
United States Postal Service, 105 F.3d 274, 279 (6th Cir. 1997), superseded on other grounds by Rule
24, Fed. R. App. P.
It is so ORDERED.
_______________________________
Todd J. Campbell
United States District Judge

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