Opinion
CASE NO: 1:11-cv-01178-AWI-GBC (PC) Doc. 1Doc. 2
08-01-2011
EBONE LEROY EAST Plaintiff, v. L. PHILIPS, Defendant.
ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF MOTION TO PROCEED IFP PURSUANT SECTION 1915(g) AND
DISMISSING ACTION WITHOUT PREJUDICE
I. Procedural History
Plaintiff Ebone Leroy East, is a state prisoner proceeding pro se. On July 18, 2011, Plaintiff filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and motioned to proceed IFP. (Docs. 1, 2).
II. Three Strikes
A review of the record of actions and appeals filed by Plaintiff in the United States District Court reveals that Plaintiff filed three or more actions and appeals that were dismissed as frivolous, malicious or for failing to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Section 1915 of Title 28 of the United States Code governs proceedings in forma pauperis. Section 1915(g) provides that:
[i]n 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.28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Determining whether Plaintiff's actions count as strikes under section 1915(g) requires the Court to conduct a "careful examination of the order dismissing an action, and other relevant information," to determine if, in fact, "the action was dismissed because it was frivolous, malicious or failed to state a claim." Andrews v. King, 398 F.3d 1113, 1121 (9th Cir. 2005).
"This subdivision is commonly known as the 'three strikes' provision. 'Strikes' are prior cases or appeals, brought while the plaintiff was a prisoner, which were dismissed 'on the ground that [they were] frivolous, malicious, or fail[ ] to state a claim' are generically referred to as 'strikes.' Pursuant to § 1915(g), a prisoner with three strikes or more cannot proceed [in forma pauperis]." Andrews v. King, 398 F.3d 1113, 1116 n.1(9th Cir. 2005).
After careful review of the dismissal orders, the Court takes judicial notice that Plaintiff has two prior actions dismissed as frivolous or for failing to stating a cognizable claim under section 1983. Those cases are: 1) East v. County of Riverside, et al., 5:10-cv-01108-UA -E (PC) (C.D. Cal.) (dismissed August 5, 2010, for failure to state a claim since federal court could not review state child support decision) and; 2) East v. County of San Bernardino, et al., 5:10-cv-01381-UA -E (PC) (C.D. Cal.) (dismissed September 21, 2010, for failure to state a claim and defendants entitled to immunity).
Although East v. California Department of Corrections, et al., 1:09-cv-01739-DLB, was dismissed for failure to state a claim, the Court will not count it as a strike since it is currently pending appeal in appellate case numbered: 11-16034. See Adepegba v. Hammons. 103 F.3d 383, 387-88 (5th Cir. 1996).
The Court finds that a dismissal pursuant to Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994) counts as a strike under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). The Supreme Court in Heck stated its ruling was based on a denial of "the existence of a cause of action." Heck, 512 U.S. at 489. Additionally, several other courts have held that dismissals under Heck count as strikes under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See e.g., Hamilton v. Lyons, 74 F.3d 99, 102 (5th Cir. 1996) ("A § 1983 claim which falls under the rule in Heck is legally frivolous."); Schafer v. Moore, 46 F.3d 43, 45 (8th Cir. 1995) ("[I]n light of Heck, the complaint was properly dismissed for failure to state a claim."). After careful review of the dismissal orders, the Court takes judicial notice that Plaintiff has four prior actions dismissed under Heck for not stating a cognizable claim under section 1983. Those cases are: 1) East v. Gidcumb, et al., 5:09-cv-01105-UA-E (PC) (C.D. Cal.) (dismissed June 17, 2009, for failure to state a claim under Heck); 2) East v. Pace, et al., 5:09-cv-01810-UA-E (PC) (C.D. Cal.) (dismissed October 1, 2009, for failure to state a claim under Heck and because many of the defendants were immune); 3) East v. San Bernardino County, 5:09-cv-02224-UA-E (PC) (C.D. Cal.) (dismissed December 11, 2009, for failure to state a claim under Heck); 4) East v. Hoops, 5:10-cv-00949-UA-E (PC) (C.D. Cal.) (dismissed July 8, 2010, for failure to state a claim under Heck).
Plaintiff has three or more strikes and became subject to section 1915(g) well before Plaintiff filed this action on July 18, 2011. Since Plaintiff was not under imminent danger of serious physical injury at the time the complaint is filed, the Court finds that Plaintiff should be precluded from proceeding in forma pauperis. Moreover, the Court finds that Plaintiff's action should be dismissed to allow Plaintiff to refile with full payment of the filing fee. See Dupree v. Palmer, 284 F.3d 1234, 1236 (11th Cir. 2002) (finding that denial of in forma pauperis status under § 1915(g) mandated dismissal since a prisoner must pay the filing fee at the time of initiating the suit).
III. Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, the Court HEREBY ORDERS:
1. Plaintiff's motion to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 2) is DENIED pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g); and
2. This action is DISMISSED without prejudice (Doc. 1).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
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CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE