Flanagan v. Edwards et al

Filing 12

MEMORANDUM OPINION regarding plaintiff's claims. Signed by Judge Thad Heartfield on 3/3/2010. (bjc, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS BEAUMONT DIVISION THEODORE FLANAGAN VS. BILLY EDWARDS, ET AL § § § MEMORANDUM OPINION Theodore Flanagan, an inmate incarcerated at the Stiles Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division, proceeding pro se, filed this lawsuit. As CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:09cv883

plaintiff seeks leave to proceed with this lawsuit on an in forma pauperis basis. Discussion Title 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g)prohibits prisoners from repeatedly filing frivolous or malicious complaints. provides as follows: In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action [in forma pauperis] ... if the prisoner has, on three or more occasions ... brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. Prior to the date on which plaintiff filed this complaint, courts had dismissed three lawsuits and one appeal filed by Section 1915(g)

plaintiff as frivolous.1 applicable.

As a result, Section 1915(g) is

While plaintiff complains that excessive use was used against approximately 10 days before he filed his lawsuit, he does not state he was subsequently threatened with harm. Aa a

result, his allegations do not demonstrate he was in "imminent danger of serious physical injury" on the date his complaint was filed. Section 1915(g) therefore bars plaintiff from proceeding This case will,

with this action on an in forma pauperis basis. accordingly, be dismissed. Conclusion

For the reasons set forth above, this lawsuit will be dismissed without prejudice pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). appropriate final judgment shall be entered. An

SIGNED this the 3 day of March, 2010.

____________________________ Thad Heartfield United States District Judge

Flanagan v. Dretke, No. 9:03cv172 (E.D. Tex.) (dismissed as frivolous), a f f ' d , No. 03-41389 (appeal dismissed as frivolous); Flanagan v. Nacogdoches C o u n t y Jail, (E.D. Tex.) (dismissed as frivolous); Flanagan v. Buchmeyer, No. 7 : 0 2 c v 2 7 4 (N.D. Tex.) (dismissed as frivolous).

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