Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_16-cv-00729/USCOURTS-ared-4_16-cv-00729-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

LITTLE ROCK DIVISION

PHILLIP RYAN BELL PLAINTIFF

V. NO: 4:16CV00729 DPM/PSH

TONY PELTON et al DEFENDANTS

PROPOSED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION

INSTRUCTIONS

The following Proposed Findings and Recommendation have been sent to United States

District Judge D.P. Marshall Jr. You may file written objections to all or part of this

Recommendation. If you do so, those objections must: (1) specifically explain the factual and/or

legal basis for your objection; and (2) be received by the Clerk of this Court within fourteen (14)

days of this Recommendation. By not objecting, you may waive the right to appeal questions of

fact.

DISPOSITION

Plaintiff Phillip Ryan Bell, who is currently held at the Saline County Detention Facility,

filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on October 7, 2016.1 Bell did not pay the

$400.00 filing and administrative fees, or file an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. 

Accordingly, on October 11, 2016, the Court entered an order directing Bell to either pay the filing

and administrative fees or file an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis within 30 days. 

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Bell is one of five plaintiffs named in the complaint. Pursuant to direction from the Court,

the Clerk opened five individual cases, each with a single plaintiff. 

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Case 4:16-cv-00729-DPM Document 3 Filed 11/16/16 Page 1 of 2
Doc. No. 2. That same order warned Bell that his failure to comply would result in the

recommended dismissal of his complaint. The order was sent to Bell at his address of record, as well

as a different address which was reflected on the complaint form. 

More than 30 days have passed, and Bell has not paid the filing and administrative fees, filed

an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, or otherwise responded to the Court’s order. 

Under these circumstances, the Court concludes that Bell’s complaint should be dismissed without

prejudice for failure to pay the filing fee, failure to comply with Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), and failure

to respond to the Court’s order. See Miller v. Benson, 51 F.3d 166, 168 (8th Cir. 1995) (district

courts have inherent power to dismiss sua sponte a case for failure to prosecute, and exercise of that

power is reviewed for abuse of discretion). 

IT IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT:

1. Plaintiff Phillip Ryan Bell’s complaint be DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for

failure to pay the filing fee, failure to comply with Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), and failure to respond to

the Court’s order.

2. The Court certify that an in forma pauperis appeal taken from the order and judgment

dismissing this action is considered frivolous and not in good faith.

DATED this 16th day of November, 2016.

 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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Case 4:16-cv-00729-DPM Document 3 Filed 11/16/16 Page 2 of 2