Opinion
CASE NO. 4:13CV3167
04-14-2014
EMMANUEL SANDERS, Plaintiff, v. RICHARD LUTTER, et al., Defendants.
MEMORANDUM
AND ORDER
Plaintiff filed his Complaint in this matter on September 20, 2013. (Filing No. 1.) Plaintiff has previously been given leave to proceed in forma pauperis. (Filing No. 7.) The court now conducts an initial review of the Complaint to determine whether summary dismissal is appropriate under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2).
I. SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT
Plaintiff filed his Complaint in this matter on September 20, 2013, against Omaha Police Officer Richard Lutter ("Lutter"), the City of Omaha, Nebraska, Douglas County, Nebraska, and the State of Nebraska. (Filing No. 1 at CM/ECF p. 1.) Plaintiff sues Lutter in both his individual and official capacities. ( Id.) Plaintiff is currently incarcerated at the Lincoln Correctional Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. (See Docket Sheet.)
Condensed and summarized, Plaintiff alleges that on March 4, 2013, Lutter stopped and detained him at a bus stop on the basis of his race. (Filing No. 1 at CM/ECF pp. 4-5.) After being detained, officers searched Plaintiff's luggage and allegedly found two ounces of powder cocaine. ( Id. at CM/ECF p. 5.) Plaintiff ultimately entered a plea and was sentenced to a prison term of 5 to 7 years. ( Id. at CM/ECF p. 8.) However, Plaintiff now asserts that his conviction and sentence are "void." ( Id. at CM/ECF p. 10.) He also seeks $20,000,000.00 in monetary damages and an injunction that enjoins Defendants from racially profiling minorities. ( Id. at CM/ECF p. 6.)
II. APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARDS ON INITIAL REVIEW
The court is required to review in forma pauperis complaints to determine whether summary dismissal is appropriate. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). The court must dismiss a complaint or any portion thereof that states a frivolous or malicious claim, that fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
A pro se plaintiff must set forth enough factual allegations to "nudge[] their claims across the line from conceivable to plausible," or "their complaint must be dismissed" for failing to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 569-70 (2007); see also Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1950 (2009), ("A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged."). Regardless of whether a plaintiff is represented or is appearing pro se, the plaintiff's complaint must allege specific facts sufficient to state a claim. See Martin v. Sargent, 780 F.2d 1334, 1337 (8th Cir. 1985). However, a pro se plaintiff's allegations must be construed liberally. Burke v. North Dakota Dep't of Corr. & Rehab., 294 F.3d 1043, 1043-44 (8th Cir. 2002) (citations omitted).
III. DISCUSSION OF CLAIMS
Claims relating to the validity of an individual's incarceration may not be brought in a civil rights case, regardless of the relief sought. As set forth by the Supreme Court in Preiser v. Rodriquez, 411 U.S. 475 (1973), and Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994), if success on the merits of a civil rights claim would necessarily implicate the validity of a prisoner's conviction or continued confinement, the civil rights claim must be preceded by a favorable outcome in a habeas corpus or similar proceeding in a state or federal forum. Absent such a favorable disposition of the charges or conviction, a plaintiff may not use 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to cast doubt on the legality of his conviction or confinement. See Heck, 512 U.S. at 486-87; see also Smith v. Holtz, 87 F.3d 108, 113 (3d Cir. 1996) (applying Heck to a claim that would implicate the validity of a future conviction on a pending criminal charge).
Liberally construed, Plaintiff asserts that he was stopped and searched based on a practice of racial profiling. (Filing No. 1.) Plaintiff also asserts his conviction is "void." ( I d. at CM/ECF p. 10.) Plaintiff's claims necessarily implicate the validity of his conviction and current confinement. See, e.g., Smithart v. Towery, 79 F.3d 951, 952 (9th Cir. 1996), (per curiam) (concluding allegations that defendants lacked probable cause to arrest him and brought unfounded criminal charges challenge validity of conviction and are Heck-barred). As set forth above, the court cannot address such claims in an action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. However, the court will dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint without prejudice to reassertion in a habeas corpus or similar proceeding.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's Complaint (Filing No. 1) is dismissed without prejudice; and
2. A separate judgment will be entered in accordance with this Memorandum and Order.
BY THE COURT:
Laurie Smith Camp
Chief United States District Judge
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