Joyner v. Sheriff of Harris Count Texas

Filing 3

MEMORANDUM AND OPINION entered. This case is dismissed. Final judgment to be entered by separate order. (Signed by Chief Judge Lee H Rosenthal) Parties notified. (wbostic, 4)

United States District Court
Southern District of Texas

ENTERED
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
DAVID LOREZA JOYNER,

June 28, 2017
David J. Bradley, Clerk

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Petitioner,

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v.

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HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF,

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Respondent.

CIVIL ACTION NO. H-17-1717

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MEMORANDUM AND OPINION
David Loreza Joyner is an inmate in the Harris County Jail. He filed a petition to remove a
criminal prosecution from state to federal court under 28 U.S.C. § 1455. Joyner removed on the
grounds that "the State of Texas lacks absolutely any tribunal that would honor petitioner's spiritual
obligations." Petition at 6. He asserted that "the oath governors, legislatures, and judges take as well
as the robes they wear, the symbols on their flags[,] etc[., are] defined in the Holy Bible as a 'state
civil religion' false gods and idols that petitioner is being forced to pay allegiance and patronage to."

!d.
The United States Code, 28 U.S.C. § 1455(b)(4) requires a district court receiving a notice
of removal to "examine the notice promptly. If it clearly appears on the face of the notice ... that
removal should not be permitted, the court shall make an order for summary remand."
A pleading that, like Joyner's, "is factually frivolous when the facts alleged are fantastic or
delusional scenarios," may be dismissed. Harris v. Hegmann, 198 F.3d 153, 156 (5th Cir. 1999)
(internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Joyner's allegations about being forced to "pay
allegiance and patronage" to false gods by the oaths of office taken by others, by the clothing worn
by others, and by the flags displayed in a public courtroom are in this category.

This case is dismissed. See 28 U.S.C. § 1455(b)(4). Final judgment is entered by separate
order.
SIGNED on June 28, 2017, at Houston, Texas.

Lee H. Rosenthal
Chief United States District Judge

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