Demos v. USA et al

Filing 2

MEMORANDUM DECISION and Order-Demos is not eligible to proceed without prepaying the filing fee in this case because he has filed three or more cases in federal court which have been dismissed as frivolous or failing to state a claim, and the complaint does not fall within the three-strikes exception. Therefore, Demos is DENIED leave to proceed without prepayment of fees. He is ORDERED to pay the entire $350 statutory filing fee within thirty days from the date of this order. Failure to do so will result in the dismissal of the complaint. Signed by Judge Clark Waddoups on 7/3/12. (jmr)

IN THE

UN~TSI?,~~:~t~i~~,&t~1\RICT COURT

FdR~T.NEYDr~1'RICr OF UTAH

lUll JUl -q A II: 03
JOHN ROBERT DEMOS JR.,
Plaintiff,
vs.

L--'By:_--:---~r ,i\

..
DEPUTY CLF,i

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA et ai.,

I
I

Defendants.

Case No, 2:12-CV-S28-CW

I
I

District Judge Clark Waddoups

Plaintiff/inmate John Robert Demos Jr., filed a civil rights complaint against Defendants
United States of America and State of Washington., He moves to proceed informa pauperis. As
discussed below, the Court concludes that Demos must pay the filing fee before this case can
proceed.
The in forma pauperis statute allows an indigent prisoner to file a complaint in federal
court without prepaying the filing fee.' But, it restricts those who have repeatedly filed
complaints that are frivolous or fail to state a valid claim. In relevant part, the statute provides:
In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action, .. under this
section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while
incarcerated or detained in any facility, 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.,

lThe court construes these pro se filings liberally. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972).
228

U.s.C.S. § 1915(a) (2012),

3,d. § 1915 (g).

"These fee provisions are intended 'to reduce frivolous prisoner litigation by making all prisoners
seeking to bring lawsuits or appeals feel the deterrent effect created by liability for filing fees. "',
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Southern Division
has stated, "Plaintiff [Demos] has a lengthy history of vexatious litigation in the federal courts,
and has had well over three cases dismissed as frivolous while incarcerated .... Thus, plaintiff
comes within the provision of28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), which precludes him from filing the instant
action in forma pauperis .... ,,5 As the Tenth Circuit states, "A federal court may take notice of
proceedings in other federal courts when those proceedings are relevant to matters at issue.",
Section 1915(g) applies here because (1) Demos was a prisoner when he filed this
complaint; and (2) he has filed three or more prior cases in federal court that have been
dismissed as frivolous or failing to state a claim. The language of section 1915(g) is mandatory.
Thus, a federal prisoner who falls within the three-strikes provision is required to prepay the
entire filing fee before his claims may proceed.

ORDER
Demos is not eligible to proceed without prepaying the filing fee in this case because he
has filed three or more cases in federal court which have been dismissed as frivolous or failing to
state a claim, and the complaint does not fall within the three-strikes exception. Therefore,

4Cosbyv. Meadors, 351 F.3d 1324, 1327 (lOthCir. 2003) (quotinglnreSmith, 114F.3d 1247, 1249
(D.C.Cir. 1997».
5 Demos

v. United States, No. 2:1 0-CY-0758-WMA-RRA, slip op. at 2 (S.D. Ala. April 6,2010).

6See Whitev. Colorado, 157F.3d 1226, 1232 (10th Cir. 1998) (citing St. Louis Baptist Temple, Inc. v.
FDIC, 605 F.2d 1169, 1172 (10th Cir. 1979».

2

Demos is DENIED leave to proceed without prepayment of fees. He is ORDERED to pay the
entire $350 statutory filing fee within thirty days from the date of this order. Failure to do so will
result in the dismissal of the complaint.
July

d
L, 2012.
BY THE COURT:

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United States District Judge

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