Hill v. Fox et al
Filing
36
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER. Plaintiff's 35 Motion for Relief from Judgment is DENIED. Signed by Judge Thad Heartfield on 1/4/17. (ljw, )
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
BEAUMONT DIVISION
DEMETRIUS HILL
§
§
JOHN B. FOX, et al.,
CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:13-CV-440
§
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff, Demetrius Hill, an inmate formerly confined at USP Beaumont, proceeding pro se
and in forma pauperis, filed this civil rights action pursuant to Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents
of Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), against defendants John B. Fox, Kenneth
Russo, Christopher Matt, Bryan LaCour, Mark Fry and Preston Lamb.
Procedural Background
By way of Report and Recommendation on December 5, 2015, the Magistrate Judge, to
whom this case was referred, recommended defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment be granted
for failure to exhaust administrative remedies and for failure to state a claim (docket entry no. 29).
A Memorandum Order Adopting the Report and Recommendation was entered on April 4, 2016
(docket entry no. 30). A Final Judgment was also entered on that same day dismissing this civil
action (docket entry no. 31).
On April 15, 2016, a copy of the Memorandum Order and Final Judgment were returned as
“undeliverable” (docket entry no. 32). Plaintiff did not receive a copy of the Report and
Recommendation until May 3, 2016 (docket entry no. 33). Plaintiff subsequently filed objections
on May 17, 2017 (docket entry no. 34) and a Motion for Relief from Judgment on December 19,
2016 (docket entry no. 35). This Memorandum Opinion considers plaintiff’s Motion for Relief from
Judgment in light of his objections to the Report and Recommendation.
Standard of Review
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) allows a court to relieve a party or its legal
representative from a final judgment, order or proceeding on the basis of (1) mistake, inadvertence,
surprise, or excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered evidence; (3) fraud, misrepresentation, or other
misconduct of the adverse party; (4) the judgment being void; (5) the judgment has been satisfied,
released, or discharged, or a prior judgment upon which it is based has been reversed or otherwise
vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the judgment should have prospective application; or (6)
any other reason justifying relief from judgment. See FED. R. CIV. P. 60(b). To prevail on a motion
to set aside judgment, a movant must also show “good cause.” Meaux Servs., Inc. v. Dao, 160
F.R.D. 563, 564 (E.D. Tex. 1995). Courts agree that a “final judgment” is needed to support a Rule
60(b) motion. 12 Moore’s Federal Practice, § 60.23; see also McMillan v. Mbank Fort Worth, N.A.,
41 F.3d 362, 366 (5th Cir. 1993).
The Supreme Court has cautioned that Rule 60(b) should only be applied in extraordinary
circumstances. See Ames v. Miller, 184 F.Supp.2d 566, 575 (N.D. Tex. 2002); Ackermann v. United
States, 340 U.S. 193 (150). The court enjoys considerable discretion when determining whether the
movant has satisfied the Rule 60(b) standard. See Teal v. Eagle Fleet, Inc., 933 F.2d 341, 347 (5th
Cir. 1991).
Analysis
The Court presumes plaintiff seeks review under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(6)
– “any other reason justifying relief from judgment.” In both his objections and Motion for Relief
from Judgment, plaintiff argues defendants’ motion for summary judgment should be denied as the
administrative remedy process was made “unavailable” by defendants.1 Plaintiff states he was
physically assaulted several times for attempting to file a BP-9 and was then assaulted again for
attempting to file a BP-9 about the assaults. Plaintiff also contends his cell was repeatedly searched
and all his property was taken and destroyed.2
Federal courts may not excuse a prisoner’s failure to exhaust available administrative
remedies, regardless of the circumstances. Ross v. Blake, 136 S.Ct. 1850, 1856 (2016). The
exhaustion requirement applies to all inmate suits concerning prison life, whether they involve
general circumstances or particular episodes. Porter v. Nussle, 534 U.S. 516, 532 (2002). Prisoners
must exhaust administrative remedies before filing a lawsuit regardless of the type of relief prayed
for in the complaint. Booth v. Churner, 532 U.S. 731, 741 (2001).
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which administers the prison where plaintiff was
incarcerated, has a four-step process for resolving most complaints by prisoners. Initially, a prisoner
must attempt to informally resolve the complaint with staff. 28 C.F.R. § 542.13(a). If informal
attempts are unsuccessful, the prisoner must submit a written complaint to the warden on a
prescribed form. 28 C.F.R. § 542.14. Ordinarily, the written complaint must be filed within twenty
calendar days following the date the incident occurred. Id. However, an extension of time may be
allowed if the prisoner demonstrates a valid reason for the delay, such as an extended period spent
in-transit, the prisoner was physically incapable of preparing the complaint, or delays caused by
members of the prison staff. Id. If the prisoner is not satisfied with the warden’s response, he may
1
The Court notes plaintiff had an opportunity to respond to defendants’ motion for summary judgment on
exhaustion but failed to do so. Plaintiff asked for an extension to file his reply which was granted. Plaintiff
never filed a reply.
2
Plaintiff cites to Ross v. Blake in support of his argument that the administrative remedy process was not
available to him. 136 S.Ct. 1850 (2016) (PLRA explicitly states administrative remedy process must be
available).
appeal to the Regional Director within twenty days unless an extension is granted. 28 C.F.R. §
542.15. If still unsatisfied, the prisoner may appeal to the Office of General Counsel within thirty
days, although the time limit may be extended if the prisoner demonstrates a valid reason for the
delay. Id.
Under certain circumstances, an inmate may file an administrative remedy request directly
with the Regional Director. If an inmate reasonably believes the issue is sensitive and the inmate’s
well-being would be in danger if the request was filed at the institution level, the inmate may file
a sensitive request with the Regional Director. 28 C.F.R. § 542.14(d)(1). The Regional Director
must determine if the complaint qualifies as sensitive. Id. If the request is not sensitive, it is
returned to the inmate to resubmit at the institution level for the warden to review. Id.
Assuming, as plaintiff argues, that the administrative remedy process was “unavailable” at
the institutional level, plaintiff has still failed to establish, let alone argue, that he availed himself
of the sensitive remedy process available to prisoners who believe their well-being is in danger. The
present record confirms that plaintiff did not avail himself of this process. In order to exhaust
administrative remedies, a prisoner must comply with applicable deadlines and procedural rules
established by the prison system. Woodford v. Ngo, 548 U.S. 81, 90-91 (2006).
Based on the foregoing, it is ORDERED that plaintiff’s Motion for Relief from Judgment
is DENIED.
SIGNED this the 4 day of January, 2017.
____________________________
Thad Heartfield
United States District Judge
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?