Welty, Jr. v. Meletis et al

Filing 18

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. on 07/16/2018. Copy mailed to Plaintiff. (walk, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Richmond Division

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IL

JUL 1 T 2018

CLbHK, U.ii. DISTRICT COURT

JERRY WELTY,JR.,

RICHMOND. VA

Plaintiff,
V.

Civil Action No.3;17CV173

PETE MELETIS,e/fl/.,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION

Jerry Welty, Jr., a Virginia inmate proceeding pro se and informa pauperis, filed this 42

U.S.C. § 1983 action.' The matter is before the Court for evaluation pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§§ 1915(e)(2)and 1915A.
1. STANDARD FOR MOTION TO DISMISS

Pursuant to the Prison Litigation Reform Act ("PLRA") this Court must dismiss any
action filed by a prisoner if the Court determines the action (1)"is frivolous" or(2)"fails to state
a claim on which relief may be granted." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); see 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. The
first standard ineludes claims based upon "an indisputably meritless legal theory," or claims

where the "factual contentions are clearly baseless." Clay v. Yates, 809 F. Supp. 417, 427 (E.D.
Va. 1992)(quoting Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327(1989)), aff'd, 36 F.3d 1091 (4th Cir.

'The statute provides, in pertinent part:
Every person who, under color of any statute ... of any State ... subjects, or
causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the

jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities
secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an
action at law....

42 U.S.C. § 1983.

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