Opinion
Civil Action No.: 5:21-CV-90
06-15-2021
WAYNE THOMAS JOHNSON, Plaintiff, v. OFFICER HACKNEY, GREGORY MIMS, and HUDGINS, Warden, Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
The plaintiff, Wayne Thomas Johnson, a federal inmate incarcerated at USP Hazelton, filed this action pro se on June 11, 2021 [Doc. 1]. The plaintiff has also applied to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b) [Doc. 2].
The Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PLRA") provides that a sanction shall be imposed on those prisoners who file meritless lawsuits repeatedly. The sanction is that such prisoners lose the right to proceed without prepayment of fees and costs.
In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil rights action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding under this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more 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); see also Ashley v. E. Dilworth , 147 F.3d 715 (6th Cir. 1998) ("Section 1915(g) denies the installment payment method to those prisoners who have had three previous cases or appeals dismissed as frivolous, malicious, or for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted ('three strikes').").
Consequently, "the proper procedure is for the district court to dismiss the complaint without prejudice when it denies the prisoner leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to the three strikes provision of 1915(g). The prisoner cannot simply pay the filing fee after being denied in forma pauperis status. He must pay the filing fee at the time he initiates the suit." Dupree v. Palmer , 284 F.3d 1234, 1237 (11th Cir. 2002); see also Finley v . Doe , 2008 WL 2645472 (S.D. W.Va. June 30, 2008) (Johnston, J.).
The undersigned's review of PACER, the nationwide database maintained by the federal courts, indicates that at least three of the plaintiff's prior civil cases qualify as strikes under this provision. See Johnson v . N.C. Dept. of Corrections , 2001 WL 34704467 (4th Cir. 2001) (dismissed as frivolous); Johnson v. Smirnoff Distillery , 125 F.App'x 971 (10th Cir. 2005) ("the strict court's dismissal counts as a strike, as will this dismissal"); Johnson v. Buckley , Civil Action No. 1:00-CV-802-WLO (M.D. N.C. Oct. 5, 2000) (dismissed as frivolous pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)); Johnson v. Fuquay , Civil Action No. 1:00-CV-1200-WLO (M.D. N.C. Jan. 18. 2001) (dismissed as frivolous pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)); Johnson v. Fuquay , Civil Action No. 1:01-CV-702-WLO (M.D. N.C. January 2, 2002) (dismissed as frivolous pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B); Johnson v. North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services , Civil Action No. 5:01-CT-508-H (E.D. N.C. Feb. 25, 2002) (dismissed as frivolous), aff'd, 23 F.App'x 179 (4th Cir. 2002).
In addition, the plaintiff has been advised on at least three prior occasions that he has three strikes for the purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Johnson v . Jackson , Civil Action No. 1:03-CV-131 (W.D. N.C. Sept. 24, 2003); Johnson v. Trader , Civil Action No. 5:05-CT-250-H (E.D. N.C. Sept. 28, 2005); Johnson v. Riddick , Civil Action No. 5:09-CT-3190-BO (E.D. N.C. Dec. 30, 2009).
While the PLRA includes an exception to the § 1915(g) filing restriction if the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury, that exception cannot apply in this case. The plaintiff complains that one defendant made sexual remarks to him, that one defendant has neglected his medical needs, and that one defendant has condoned his mistreatment. However, he identifies those medical problems as his eyesight and hearing. Nothing in the plaintiff's complaint raises a credible allegation of imminent danger of serious physical injury.
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that the plaintiff's Motion to Proceed in forma pauperis [Doc. 2] be DENIED, and the plaintiff's complaint [Doc. 1] be DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE to his right to file a new complaint along with the appropriate filing fee.
The Clerk is DIRECTED to send a copy of this Memorandum Opinion and Order to the plaintiff by certified mail, return receipt requested, to his last known address as shown on the docket.
DATED: June 15, 2021.
/s/ _________
JOHN PRESTON BAILEY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE