Mack v. Smith et al
Filing
27
ORDER OVERRULING OBJECTIONS AND ADOPTING 16 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS; Denying 6 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Howard Mack.. Signed by Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III on 3/27/2017. (sm, )
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
HOWARD MACK
v.
JASON SMITH, ET AL.
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CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:15cv202
MEMORANDUM ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
OF THE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
The Plaintiff Howard Mack, an inmate of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice,
Correctional Institutions Division proceeding pro se, filed this civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C.
§1983 complaining of alleged deprivations of his constitutional rights. This Court referred the
matter to the United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(1) and (3) and the
Amended Order for the Adoption of Local Rules for the Assignment of Duties to United States
Magistrate Judges.
I.
Background
Mack filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (Docket No. 6) complaining the
Defendants Jason Smith and Tony Rust have been harassing and threatening him. On January 19,
2016, Mack states Smith and Rust verbally abused him with racial slurs and told him he was
in their world and he had to do what they told him or he would find himself as “fish bait.” Docket
No. 6 at 2. Mack states that “every day when [he] come[s] off the building, [Smith or Rust] put[s]
him on the fence threatening to take [him] to lock-up.” Id. Mack contended this put his life in
danger because other prisoners and officers might think he was a snitch. Id.
On January 26, 2017, the Magistrate Judge issued a Report (Docket No. 16) recommending
Mack’s motion for injunctive relief be denied. The Magistrate Judge concluded Mack failed to
show a substantial likelihood of prevailing on the merits of his claims or that he faced a substantial
threat of irreparable injury.
II.
Mack’s Objections
In his objections, Mack claims Smith and Rust have been harassing and threatening him
with racial slurs. He alleges for the first time in his objections that Smith and Rust have been
placing his life in danger by telling gang members he is their snitch. Mack asserts he is “stating
the prerequisites for a temporary restraining order where he will prevail on the merits.” He argues
he has met the legal standards for the issuance of a temporary restraining order.
The four elements a plaintiff must establish to secure preliminary injunctive relief are: (1)
a substantial likelihood of success on the merits; (2) a substantial threat of irreparable injury if the
injunction is not issued; (3) the threatened injury if the injunction is denied outweighs any harm if
the injunction is granted; and (4) the grant of an injunction will not disserve the public interest.
Janvey v. Alguire, 647 F.3d 585, 595 (5th Cir. 2001).
As the Magistrate Judge properly determined, Mack has offered nothing beyond conclusory
assertions to show a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of his lawsuit. Conclusory
allegations are insufficient to carry the burden of proof imposed upon persons seeking preliminary
injunctive relief. See Hunt v. Bankers Trust Co., 646 F.Supp. 59, 66 (N.D.Tex. 1986); Hancock v.
Essential Resources Inc., 792 F.Supp. 924, 926 (S.D.N.Y. 1992). Rather, strict proof of each
element is required before a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order may issue.
Plains Cotton Cooperative Ass’n of Lubbock, Texas v. Goodpasture Computer Services Inc., 807
F.2d 1256, 1261 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 108 S.Ct. 80 (1987).
Nor has Mack shown a substantial threat of irreparable injury if the requested
injunctive relief is not granted. Mack’s motion, filed on May 20, 2016, cites a threat made to
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him the previous January, but does not indicate he actually suffered any harm over that extended
period of time. As the Magistrate Judge stated, threats and verbal abuse do not amount to
irreparable injury. Powell v. Martinez, 579 F. App’x 250, 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 16308 (5th
Cir., August 25, 2014). Although he claims the officers have been telling other prisoners he is
a snitch, this issue was raised for the first time in his objections and is not properly before the
district court. Finley v. Johnson, 243 F.3d 215, 218 n.3 (5th Cir. 2001). In any event, this
contention is conclusory and lacking in any supporting facts, and it does not show a
substantial danger of irreparable injury; Mack does not allege any of the prisoners whom
he claims received this information are in a position to harm him, much less that any have
actually attempted to do so. Instead, he simply states “records from Telford Unit and state
court in Bowie County will show clear signs of the incidents by gang members on this unit
against the offenders as well as officers.” This oblique statement is not sufficient to carry the
burden of proof of showing entitlement to preliminary injunctive relief.
See Murillo v.
Musegades, 809 F. Supp. 924, 925 (S.D.Fla. 1981) (stating that the heavy burden of proof in
justifying an injunction is wholly on the movant) (citing Hardin v. Houston Chronicle
Publishing Co., 572 F.2d 1106, 1107 (5th Cir. 1978)). Mack’s objections are without merit.
III.
Conclusion
The Court has conducted a careful de novo review of those portions of the Magistrate
Judge’s proposed findings and recommendations to which the Plaintiff objected. See 28 U.S.C.
§636(b)(1) (requiring a district judge to “make a de novo determination of those portions of the
report or specified proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made.”) Upon
such de novo review, the Court has determined the Report of the Magistrate Judge is correct and
the Plaintiff’s objections are without merit. It is accordingly
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ORDERED the Plaintiff’s objections are overruled and the Report of the Magistrate Judge
(Docket No. 16) is ADOPTED as the opinion of the District Court. It is further
ORDERED the Plaintiff’s motion for a temporary restraining order (Docket No. 6) is
DENIED.
SIGNED this 27th day of March, 2017.
____________________________________
ROBERT W. SCHROEDER III
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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