Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00357/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00357-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION 

WEBB'S PRODUCE FARMS AND MARKET* 

v. No. 3:19-cv-357-DPM 

CITY OF MCCRORY* and 

WOODRUFF COUNTY* 

ORDER 

PLAINTIFF 

DEFENDANTS 

1. Motion to reconsider, Doc. 10, denied. Webb's still hasn't 

provided documentation required by Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 65 for a temporary restraining order. And appointing 

counsel still isn't warranted. 

2. Motion to amend, Doc. 11, denied as unnecessary. The Court 

required an amended complaint, Doc. 3, so no motion was needed. 

3. The Court must screen the amended complaint. 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(e)(2). Webb's has said the defendants want to close down its 

business. Doc. 7. The amended complaint provides particulars. 

Webb's pleads the following facts. On two occasions, Chief Firefighter 

Joe Slocum intentionally damaged crops and equipment, costing the 

farm tens of thousands of dollars and two contracts. He also made 

* The Court directs the Clerk to change the parties as indicated above. 

Doc. 7 & 9. Woodruff County replaces the Woodruff County sheriff's 

department as a named defendant for the reasons given in this Order. 

Case 3:19-cv-00357-DPM Document 12 Filed 04/08/20 Page 1 of 3
racially disparaging remarks and death threats to a farm employee. 

Mayor Doyle Fowler conducted an illegal background check and 

threatened a farm employee who had reported the alleged crop damage 

to a media outlet. Officer Nick Watson arrested a farm employee 

without a warrant and used excessive force in the process; and Officer 

James Durham hindered payment of a bond. Thomas Kendrick 

conducted an illegal investigation, physically assaulted a farm 

employee, and made racially disparaging remarks and verbal threats. 

Webb's has plausible claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for unlawful 

arrest, excessive force, and due process and equal protection violations. 

White v. Jackson, 865 F.3d 1064, 1074 (8th Cir. 2017); Burton v. Livingston, 

791 F.2d 97, 100-1 (8th Cir. 1986). Webb's also has plausible claims 

under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 for racial discrimination and retaliation. Gregory 

v. Dillard's, Inc., 565 F.3d 464, 468-69 (8th Cir. 2009); CBOCS West, Inc. 

v. Humphries, 553 U.S. 442, 457 (2008). Any unlawful acts must have 

resulted from an unconstitutional policy or custom established by the 

defendants. Artis v. Francis Howell North Band Booster Association, Inc., 

161 F.3d 1178, 1181-82 (8th Cir. 1998). At the screening stage, Webb's 

has satisfied this element by alleging the defendants' overall purpose 

of closing down the farm, and the pervasiveness of the defendants' 

employees' actions towards the farm and its employees. 

4. The Woodruff County sheriff's department, a named 

defendant, can't be sued. Ketchum v. City of West Memphis, Arkansas, 

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Case 3:19-cv-00357-DPM Document 12 Filed 04/08/20 Page 2 of 3
974 F.2d 81, 82 (8th Cir. 1992). The Court therefore construes claims 

against the department as claims against Woodruff County. 

5. The Court directs the Clerk to prepare summonses for the 

defendants using the addresses provided by Webb's; the Woodruff 

County summons goes to the address provided in August. Doc. 2 at 2. 

The Court directs the U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas 

to serve the summonses, the amended complaint, Doc. 11, and this 

Order without prepayment of fees. 

So Ordered. 

D.P. MarshalfJr. 

United States District Judge 

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