Opinion
C/A No. 0:14-4464-DCN-PJG
08-03-2015
Kevin Tyrone Gunter, Petitioner, v. Warden Chip Stevenson, Broad River Corr. Inst., Respondent.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
The petitioner, Kevin Tyrone Gunter, proceeding pro se, brought this action seeking a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On March 13, 2015, the respondent filed a motion for summary judgment. (ECF No. 19.) By order of this court filed March 16, 2015, pursuant to Roseboro v. Garrison, 528 F.2d 309 (4th Cir. 1975), the petitioner was advised of the dismissal and summary judgment procedures and the possible consequences if he failed to respond adequately. (ECF No. 20.)
Notwithstanding the specific warning and instructions set forth in the court's Roseboro order, the petitioner failed to respond to the motion. As the petitioner is proceeding pro se, the court filed a second order on April 22, 2015, advising the petitioner that it appeared to the court that he was not opposing the motion and wished to abandon this action, and giving the petitioner an additional fourteen (14) days in which to file his response to the respondent's motion for summary judgment. (ECF No. 22.) The petitioner was specifically warned that if he failed to respond, this action would be recommended for dismissal with prejudice for failure to prosecute. See Davis v. Williams, 588 F.2d 69, 70 (4th Cir. 1978); Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b).
On May 8, 2015, the petitioner filed a motion for an extension of time in which to file his response to the respondent's motion for summary judgment. (ECF No. 26.) The court granted the petitioner's motion by docket text order on July 22, 2011. (ECF No. 27.) The petitioner was again specifically warned that if he failed to respond, this action would be recommended for dismissal with prejudice for failure to prosecute. See Davis, 588 F.2d at 70; Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b).
The petitioner filed a second motion for an extension of time on June 9, 2015, which was granted by docket text order on June 10, 2015. (ECF Nos. 30 & 31.) The petitioner was informed in the court's order that no further extensions would be granted absent extraordinary circumstances.
Notwithstanding his extensions of time and despite these warnings, the petitioner still did not respond. Therefore, the petitioner meets all of the criteria for dismissal under Chandler Leasing Corp.v. Lopez, 669 F.2d 919 (4th Cir. 1982).
He is personally responsible for proceeding in a dilatory fashion, the respondent is suffering prejudice by continuing to have these claims clouding his career and continuing to incur legal expenses, and no sanctions appear to exist other than dismissal given the previous warnings and extensions provided. Lopez, 669 F.2d at 920.
RECOMMENDATION
Accordingly, it is recommended that this action be dismissed with prejudice for lack of prosecution. See Davis, 588 F.2d at 70; Ballard v. Carlson, 882 F.2d 93, 95 (4th Cir. 1989) (stating that magistrate judge's prior explicit warning that a recommendation of dismissal would result from the petitioner failing to obey his order was proper grounds for the district court to dismiss the suit when the petitioner did not comply despite the warning), cert. denied sub nom, Ballard v. Volunteers of America, 493 U.S. 1084 (1990); Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b). In light of the court's recommendation, the court further recommends that any pending motions (ECF No. 19) be terminated.
/s/_________
Paige J. Gossett
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
August 3, 2015
Columbia, South Carolina
The parties' attention is directed to the important notice on the next page.
Notice of Right to File Objections to Report and Recommendation
The parties are advised that they may file specific written objections to this Report and Recommendation with the District Judge. Objections must specifically identify the portions of the Report and Recommendation to which objections are made and the basis for such objections. "[I]n the absence of a timely filed objection, a district court need not conduct a de novo review, but instead must 'only satisfy itself that there is no clear error on the face of the record in order to accept the recommendation.'" Diamond v. Colonial Life & Acc. Ins. Co., 416 F.3d 310 (4th Cir. 2005) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 72 advisory committee's note).
Specific written objections must be filed within fourteen (14) days of the date of service of this Report and Recommendation. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b); see Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a), (d). Filing by mail pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5 may be accomplished by mailing objections to:
Robin L. Blume, Clerk
United States District Court
901 Richland Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Failure to timely file specific written objections to this Report and Recommendation will result in waiver of the right to appeal from a judgment of the District Court based upon such Recommendation. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Wright v. Collins, 766 F.2d 841 (4th Cir. 1985); United States v. Schronce, 727 F.2d 91 (4th Cir. 1984).