Opinion
Civil Action No. 19-676 (UNA)
03-29-2019
Nathan E. Jacobs, Plaintiff, v. Dewayne Hendrix et al., Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on its initial review of plaintiff's pro se complaint and application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The Court will grant the in forma pauperis application and dismiss the case because the complaint fails to meet the minimal pleading requirements of Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Pro se litigants must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F. Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C. 1987). Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires complaints to contain "(1) a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court's jurisdiction [and] (2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a); see Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678-79 (2009); Ciralsky v. CIA, 355 F.3d 661, 668-71 (D.C. Cir. 2004). The Rule 8 standard ensures that defendants receive fair notice of the claim being asserted so that they can prepare a responsive answer and an adequate defense and determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
Plaintiff is a prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institution in Forrest City, Arkansas. He has sued his warden and other individuals who appear to work at the prison facility. Yet, plaintiff "seek[s] judgment under the local [ ] rule" of this court. Compl. at 1. The complaint consists of cryptic phrases that provide no notice of a claim and the basis of jurisdiction. Therefore, this action will be dismissed. A separate order accompanies this Memorandum Opinion. Date: March 29, 2019
/s/_________
United States District Judge