Opinion
CIV-23-920-R
12-28-2023
BRANDON L. SPEARS, Plaintiff, v. DR. GINETTE NGANGA, et al., Defendants.
REPORT & RECOMMENDATION
SUZANNE MITCHELL, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Plaintiff, appearing pro se, initiated this action under 42 U.S.C. §1983. Doc. 1. United States District Judge David L. Russell referred the matter to the undersigned Magistrate Judge for initial proceedings pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B), (C). Doc. 3. For the following reasons, the undersigned recommends dismissal of the action without prejudice based on Plaintiff's failure to follow the Court's orders-specifically, his failure to timely pay the initial partial filing fee.
I. Discussion.
Plaintiff applied to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Doc. 5. The filing fee in civil cases at the time of filing was $402.00.Based on Plaintiff's application, the Court granted him leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Doc. 6. As required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915, the Court ordered Plaintiff to pay an initial partial filing fee of $8.01, representing twenty percent of the average monthly deposit into his prison trust account. See § 1915(b)(1) (Prisoner proceeding in forma pauperis must pay an initial filing fee of twenty percent of the greater of “the average monthly deposits to the prisoner's account” or “the average monthly balance in the prisoner's account for the [six]-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint.”). The Court advised Plaintiff that failure to pay this initial partial filing fee or show cause for his failure to do so would result in dismissal of this action. Doc. 6, at 1-2. To date, Plaintiff has not responded to the Court's order.
The filing fee is $350.00. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). At the time Plaintiff filed his case, the Court required an administrative fee of $52.00. See Judicial Conf. Sched. of Fees, Dist. Ct. Misc. Fee Sched. ¶ 14.
The Clerk of Court mailed a copy of the order to the address Plaintiff had provided the Court. Under Local Civil Rule 5.4, it is a pro se litigant's responsibility to notify the court and opposing parties of any change of address. LCvR5.4(a). “Papers sent by the court will be deemed delivered if sent to the last known address given to the court.” Id. Further, there is no indication the order to supplement went undelivered as it has not been returned to the Clerk of Court as undeliverable.
Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b), a court may dismiss an action if the plaintiff “fails to prosecute or to comply with these rules or a court order.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b). Courts have consistently interpreted this rule to permit sua sponte dismissal. Huggins v. Sup. Ct. of the U.S., 480 Fed.Appx. 915, 916-17 (10th Cir. 2012); AdvantEdge Bus. Grp. v. Thomas E. Mestmaker & Assocs., Inc., 552 F.3d 1233, 1236 (10th Cir. 2009) (“A district court undoubtedly has discretion to sanction a party for failing to prosecute or defend a case, or for failing to comply with local or federal procedural rules.” (quoting Reed v. Bennett, 312 F.3d 1190, 1195 (10th Cir. 2002))). And if dismissal is without prejudice, the court may dismiss without attention to the non-exhaustive list of factors that, by contrast, must inform a dismissal with prejudice. AdvantEdge Bus. Grp., 552 F.3d at 1236 & n.2.
Plaintiff appears pro se; nonetheless, he must follow the same rules as any other litigant. See Davis v. Kan. Dep't of Corrs., 507 F.3d 1246, 1247 n.1 (10th Cir. 2007). The undersigned finds that Plaintiff's inaction and failure to comply with its order have left the Court without the ability “to achieve an orderly and expeditious” resolution of this case. Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630-31 (1962) (discussing the inherent power of a court to dismiss suits for lack of prosecution). The undersigned concludes, therefore, that dismissal of this action without prejudice to refiling is warranted under Rule 41(b).
Accordingly, the undersigned recommends that the Court dismiss this case. See LCvR3.3(e).
II. Recommendation and notice of right to object.
For the reasons set forth above, the undersigned recommends that the Court dismiss this case without prejudice.
The undersigned advises Plaintiff of his right to file an objection to this report and recommendation with the Clerk of this Court on or before January 18, 2024, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(b)(2). The undersigned further advises Plaintiff that failure to make a timely objection to this report and recommendation waives the right to appellate review of both factual and legal questions contained herein. See Moore v. United States, 950 F.2d 656, 659 (10th Cir. 1991).
This report and recommendation disposes of all issues referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge in this matter.
SO ORDERED.