Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NUMBER 14-320-JJB-SCR
06-30-2014
RODGER WILL GRANGER (#406448) v. ANN MARIE LEBLANC EASLEY
RULING
Pro se plaintiff, an inmate confined at Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, Louisiana, filed this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Ann Marie LeBlanc Easley. Plaintiff alleged that he earned 90 days of education credits for completion of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Spiritual Growth Certificate Program and 45 days of education credits for participation in a GED program. Plaintiff alleged that the earned credits would reduce his sentence and entitle him to immediate release from custody. Plaintiff alleged that Easley refused to give him the earned credits in violation of his constitutional rights.
Section 1915(g) of Title 28 of the United States Code provides:
In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding 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.28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).
In Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383 (5th Cir. 1996), the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that: (1) section 1915(g) applies to cases pending on the effective date of the statute; and, (2) a suit dismissed prior to the effective date of the statute on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, is considered within the ambit of the "three strikes" provision of section 1915(g). Dismissals as frivolous in the district courts or the court of appeals count for the purposes of the statute. Id. Dismissals include only those for which appeal has been exhausted or waived. Id. However, dismissals later reversed are not to be counted as a strike. Id. By contrast, the frivolous appeal of a lower court's dismissal as frivolous counts twice. Id.
Plaintiff's motion to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 was denied because on three prior occasions during detention, the plaintiff brought an action that was dismissed as frivolous or for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
Section 1915(g) contains an exception that allows prisoners whose privileges have been revoked to proceed in forma pauperis in cases involving imminent danger of serious physical injury. Plaintiff's claims do not fall under the exception.
On May 21, 2014, the plaintiff was granted 21 days from the date of the order to pay the court's filing fee in the amount of $400.00.
A review of the record showed that more than 21 days has elapsed and the plaintiff failed to pay the filing fee. Despite clear notice that he must pay the full filing fee and ample time to do so, the plaintiff has failed to pay the filing fee. Therefore, the plaintiff's § 1983 complaint shall be dismissed.
Judgment shall be entered accordingly.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June 30th, 2014.
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JAMES J. BRADY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE