Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. 17-186-BAJ-RLB
06-26-2017
RYAN V. HARRIS (#391818) v. MARGARET LAGATUTTA, ET AL.
RULING
This matter comes before the Court in connection with the Court's Order dated May 11, 2017 (R. Doc. 3), denying the plaintiff authorization to proceed in forma pauperis in this case and directing him to pay, within twenty-one (21) days, the full amount of the Court's filing fee.
On May 11, 2017, pursuant to the "three strikes" provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), the Court determined that the plaintiff was not authorized to proceed in forma pauperis herein and ordered him to pay, within 21 days, the full amount of the Court's filing fee. See R. Doc. 3. The plaintiff was placed on notice that a failure to comply with the Court's Order "shall result in the dismissal of the plaintiff's action without further notice from the Court." Id.
In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1915, a prisoner filing a civil action or appeal in federal court may be granted in forma pauperis status but is nonetheless required to pay the full amount of the Court's filing fee over time in incremental installments. However, such incremental payments are not allowed and pauper status shall be denied where the prisoner has filed, on at least three prior occasions while incarcerated, actions or appeals that have been dismissed as legally baseless. Specifically:
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 the instant case, the plaintiff has, on three or more prior occasions while incarcerated, brought actions or appeals in the federal courts that have been dismissed as frivolous or for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Accordingly, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), this Court denied the plaintiff authorization to proceed in forma pauperis and directed him to pay the full amount of the Court's filing fee within 21 days. A review of the record by the Court reflects that the plaintiff has failed to pay the filing fee as ordered on May 11, 2017. Accordingly,
Cases filed by the plaintiff which have been dismissed by this Court or by the Court of Appeal as frivolous or for failure to state a claim include, but are not limited to, Ryan Vantrell Harris v. Dixon Correctional Institute, et al., Civil Action No. 11-0481-BAJ-SCR (M.D. La.), Ryan Vantrell Harris v. Dixon Correctional Institute, et al., Civil Action No. 11-0643-JJB-SCR (M.D. La.), and Ryan V. Harris v. Louisiana Department of Correction & Public Safety, Civil Action No. 14-0800-SDD-SCR (M.D. La.). --------
IT IS ORDERED that the above-captioned proceeding be DISMISSED, WITHOUT PREJUDICE, for failure of the plaintiff to pay the Court's filing fee. Judgment shall be entered accordingly.
Signed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on June 26, 2017.
/s/_________
BRIAN A. JACKSON, CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUSIANA