Wilson v. Trainer et al

Filing 9

MEMORANDUM OPINION and ORDER DISMISSING CASE WITHOUT Prejudice. Signed by Chief District Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon on 8/29/2024. (Memorandum Opinion and Order mailed to Pro Se Party/Parties via US Mail)(tvt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
ROANOKE DIVISION
CHRISTOPHER WILSON,
Plaintiff,
v.
TRAINER, et al.,
Defendants.

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Civil Action Nos. 7:24-cv-00524
By: Elizabeth K. Dillon
Chief United States District Judge

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Christopher Wilson, a Virginia inmate proceeding pro se, has filed this civil rights
action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Dkt. No. 1.) This matter is before the court for review pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. For the reasons stated below, the court concludes that Wilson alleged frivolous
claims and has failed to state a claim for which relief can be granted, and his claims must be dismissed.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a), the court must conduct an initial review of a “complaint in a
civil action in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a
governmental entity.” A complaint is subject to dismissal if it is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a
claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune
from such relief. § 1915A(b)(1), (2); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2) (requiring court, in a case where
plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis, to dismiss the case if it is frivolous or fails to state a claim on
which relief may be granted) A complaint is frivolous “where it lacks an arguable basis either in law
or in fact.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989). “Examples of frivolous claims include
those whose factual allegations are so nutty, delusional, or wholly fanciful as to be simply
unbelievable.” McLean v. United States, 566 F.3d 391, 399 (4th Cir. 2009).
Pleadings of self-represented litigants are given a liberal construction and held to a less
stringent standard than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94
(2007) (per curiam). Liberal construction does not mean, however, that the court can ignore a clear
failure in pleadings to allege facts setting forth a claim cognizable in a federal district court. See

Weller v. Dep’t of Social Servs., 901 F.2d 387, 391 (4th Cir. 1990). Applying these standards to
Wilson’s complaint, the court concludes that it does not state any actionable claims under federal law.
Thus, it must be summarily dismissed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1).
The allegations in Wilson’s complaint are sparse. He alleges, first, that he should be released
from prison immediately. (See Compl. 2 (“The magistrate has an executive order from the president
and a court order for my release. It’s not something I have to grieve in house, this is treason.”).)
Wilson also alleges that he has suffered brain damage because “they’ve been using laser surgery on my
brain without a license[], or medical degree or any medical authority to practice on my brain.” (Id.) If
Wilson is trying to pursue a collateral attack on an unspecified criminal conviction in an attempt to
secure his release from prison, a § 1983 action is not the correct vehicle for such a pursuit. A civil
rights § 1983 case challenges the conditions of plaintiff’s confinement, and a habeas corpus matter
challenges the legality of that confinement. Further, plaintiff’s allegations about an executive order
from the president for his release and conducting laser surgery on his brain are legally frivolous.
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action is DISMISSED for
failure to state a claim, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1). Wilson’s claims are dismissed without
prejudice. It is further ORDERED that the Clerk shall STRIKE this case from the active docket of the
court. The Clerk shall transmit a copy of this order to Wilson.
Entered: August 29, 2024.

/s/ Elizabeth K. Dillon
Elizabeth K. Dillon
Chief United States District Judge

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