From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

Suggs v. Unit Manager Ward

United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia
Mar 27, 2024
Civil Action 5:23-cv-383 (MTT) (M.D. Ga. Mar. 27, 2024)

Opinion

Civil Action 5:23-cv-383 (MTT)

03-27-2024

STEPHON SUGGS, Plaintiff, v. UNIT MANAGER WARD, et al., Defendants.


ORDER

MARC T. TREADWELL, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CHIEF JUDGE

Plaintiff Stephon Suggs, a prisoner incarcerated at Telfair State Prison, filed this pro se 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. Doc. 1. On November 8, 2023, Suggs was ordered to file a recast complaint within fourteen days using the Court's standard form and was warned that the failure to fully and timely comply with the Court's orders and instructions could result in the dismissal of this action. Doc. 5. Fourteen days passed and nothing was filed. Thus, Suggs was ordered to show cause why this action should not be dismissed for failure to comply with the Court's orders. Doc. 6. In response, Suggs filed various miscellaneous documents. First, Suggs filed an affidavit seeking-among other things-appointment of a special master and a three-judge panel, a meeting with a United States Marshal and a Georgia Bureau of Investigations agent, return of missing property, and another copy of the Court's standard form(s).Doc. 7. Suggs next moved for a temporary restraining order directing defendants to provide him adequate medical care and to refrain from retaliating against him. Docs. 8; 8-1. Last, Suggs moved for an extension of time to recast his complaint, in part, because he needed another copy of the Court's standard form. Doc. 9. The Court mailed Suggs another copy of the Court's standard form on December 27, 2023, and granted the extension on December 28, 2023. On January 23, 2024, Suggs again moved for an extension, which the Court granted. Docs. 10; 11. But Suggs never filed a recast complaint.Accordingly, United States Magistrate Judge Charles Weigle recommends dismissing this action without prejudice for failure to comply with the Court's orders and instructions and for failure to prosecute. Doc. 13. The Magistrate Judge also recommends denying Suggs's motion for injunctive relief as moot. Id.

Suggs also asserted his innocence of the crimes for which he is imprisoned and complained about the conditions of his confinement. Doc. 7.

The Court's order (Doc. 11) granting Suggs's second motion for an extension of time (Doc. 10) was returned to the Court as undeliverable and was marked with a notation indicating Suggs “refused to sign for and accept this letter.” Doc. 12.

There are no objections. Accordingly, the Court reviews the Recommendation for clear error pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). After review, the Court accepts the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Magistrate Judge. The Recommendation (Doc. 13) is ADOPTED and made the Order of the Court. As previously warned, the failure to comply with the Court's orders and instructions is grounds for dismissing this case. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b); Brown v. Tallahassee Police Dep't, 205 Fed.Appx. 802, 802 (11th Cir. 2006) (“The court may dismiss an action sua sponte under Rule 41(b) for failure to prosecute or failure to obey a court order.” (citing Lopez v. Aransas Cty. Indep. Sch. Dist., 570 F.2d 541, 544 (5th Cir. 1978)).

The Eleventh Circuit has adopted as binding precedent the decisions of the former Fifth Circuit rendered prior to October 1, 1981. Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206, 1209 (11th Cir. 1981).

This action is hereby DISMISSED without prejudice, and Suggs's motion for injunctive relief (Doc. 8) is DENIED as MOOT.

Dismissal without prejudice is generally appropriate under Rule 41(b) where a plaintiff has failed to comply with a court order, “‘especially where the litigant has been forewarned.'” Owens v. Pinellas Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't, 331 Fed.Appx. 654, 655 (11th Cir. 2009) (quoting Moon v. Newsome, 863 F.2d 835, 837 (11th Cir. 1989)). Here, Suggs's complaint brings claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and all constitutional claims brought under § 1983 are tort actions, subject to the statute of limitations governing personal injury actions in the state where the § 1983 action has been brought.” McNair v. Allen, 515 F.3d 1168, 1173 (11th Cir. 2008). Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions. See O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Consequently, some of Suggs's claims are likely now barred. Based on the facts of this case, however, the Court finds both a clear record of delay and that lesser sanctions would be inadequate. See Mingo v. Sugar Cane Growers Co-op. of Fla., 864 F.2d 101, 102-03 (11th Cir. 1989).

SO ORDERED.


Summaries of

Suggs v. Unit Manager Ward

United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia
Mar 27, 2024
Civil Action 5:23-cv-383 (MTT) (M.D. Ga. Mar. 27, 2024)
Case details for

Suggs v. Unit Manager Ward

Case Details

Full title:STEPHON SUGGS, Plaintiff, v. UNIT MANAGER WARD, et al., Defendants.

Court:United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia

Date published: Mar 27, 2024

Citations

Civil Action 5:23-cv-383 (MTT) (M.D. Ga. Mar. 27, 2024)