Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02310/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02310-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GARY FRANCIS BARGER, No. 2:14-cv-2310-CMK-P

Plaintiff, 

vs. ORDER

DIRECTOR OF CDCR,

Defendant.

 /

Plaintiff Gary Barger, also known as Gary Fisher, is a state prisoner proceeding

pro se in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff has consented to

Magistrate Judge jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and no other party has been served

or appeared in the action. Pending before the court is plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in

forma pauperis (Docs. 2,10). 

The Prison Litigation Reform Act’s (PLRA) “three strikes” provision provides:

In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action . . . under

this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while

incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action . . . in a

court of the United States that was dismissed on the ground 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.

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28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Thus, when a prisoner plaintiff has had three or more prior actions

dismissed for one of the reasons set forth in the statute, such “strikes” preclude the prisoner from

proceeding in forma pauperis unless the imminent danger exception applies. Dismissed habeas

petitions do not count as “strikes” under § 1915(g). See Andrews v. King, 398 F.3d 1113, 1122

(9th Cir. 2005). Where, however, a dismissed habeas action was merely a disguised civil rights

action, the district court may conclude that it counts as a “strike.” See id. at n.12.

 The court has previously determined that plaintiff is barred from proceeding in

forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1985(g). See Fisher v. Director of OPS of CDCR, Case

No. 2:14-cv-1323-TLN-EFB P (Doc. 14, 17). In addition, it does not appear that plaintiff was

under imminent danger of serious physical injury when he filed the instant complaint. See 28

U.S.C. § 1915(g); Andrews v. Cervantes, 493 F.3d 1037, 1055 (9th Cir. 2007). Plaintiff’s

complaint is convoluted and nearly incomprehensible. It appears that plaintiff is complaining

about being involuntarily medicated for five months, from February to July 2013, over a year

prior to the filing of the complaint. There is nothing in the complaint to indicate he was being

involuntarily medicated at the time he filed the complaint, or that it continued after July 2013. 

The majority of his complaint, however, appears to be a recitation of different remedies available

with a civil rights case as opposed to a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. His allegations do

not demonstrate that he suffered from imminent danger of serious physical injury at the time he

filed his complaint. Thus, the imminent danger exception does not apply. 

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As plaintiff has not paid the filing fee, and is not eligible to proceed in forma

pauperis, this action shall be dismissed, without prejudice to re-filing upon prepayment of the

filing fees. See Tierney v. Kupers, 128 F.3d 1310 (9th Cir. 1998). 

/ / / 

It further appears that plaintiff’s claims are similar to those raised in a prior action, 1

case number 2:14-cv-1323-TLN-EFB, and that it is insufficient to state a claim for violation of

his Eighth Amendment rights under 28 U.S.C. § 1983. See Jackson v. McIntosh, 90 F.3d 330,

332 (9th Cir. 1996).

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Therefore, plaintiff must show cause in writing, within 30 days of the date of this

order, why this action should not be dismissed. Plaintiff is warned that failure to respond to this

order may result in dismissal of the action for the reasons outlined above, as well as for failure to

prosecute and comply with court rules and orders. See Local Rule 110. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Docs. 2,10)

is denied; and 

2. Plaintiff shall show cause, in writing, within 30 days of the date of this

order, why this action should not be dismissed without prejudice to re-filing upon pre-payment of

the filing fees. 

DATED: May 28, 2015

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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