Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-6_24-cv-06057/USCOURTS-arwd-6_24-cv-06057-0/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

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

HOT SPRINGS DIVISION

JAIME GLENN FINLEY (also known as 

Possum) PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 6:24-cv-06057-SOH-BAB

SHERIFF MIKE McCORMICK (Garland 

County), et. al. DEFENDANTS

MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

This is a civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pursuant to the provisions 

of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and (3), the Honorable Susan O. Hickey, Chief United States District 

Judge, referred this case to the undersigned for the purpose of making a Report and 

Recommendation. Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s failure to obey multiple Court Orders 

and failure to prosecute this case. 

I. BACKGROUND

Plaintiff filed his Complaint on April 23, 2024. (ECF No. 2). On July 16, 2024, the Court 

entered an Order directing Plaintiff to submit an Amended Complaint to address deficiencies in 

his Complaint. (ECF No. 9). The deadline for Plaintiff to do so was August 6, 2024. (Id.). This 

Order was not returned as undeliverable. When Plaintiff failed to comply, the Court entered a 

Show Cause Order on August 12, 2024. (ECF No. 10). The deadline to respond was September 

3, 2024. (Id.). On August 23, 2024, the Show Cause Order was returned as undeliverable, and the 

deadline for him to advise the Court of his new address was set for September 23, 2024. (ECF 

No. 11). 

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On September 5, 2024, Plaintiff filed a Notice of Address Change indicating he had been 

released from custody. (ECF No. 12). Because Plaintiff proceeds in forma pauperis (“IFP”) in 

the case, the Court entered an Order directing Plaintiff to submit a new IFP application to indicate 

his free-world financial status. (ECF No. 13). Plaintiff was directed to return the completed IFP 

form by September 27, 2024. (Id.). When Plaintiff failed to do so, the Court entered a Show 

Cause Order directing Plaintiff to show cause for his failure to obey a Court Order by October 24, 

2024. (ECF No. 14). Plaintiff filed a document docketed as his Motion for Leave to Proceed IFP 

on October 15, 2024. (ECF No. 15). Review of this motion, however, indicated that he had not 

completed and signed a new IFP application form as directed. Instead, he submitted what appeared 

to be bank statements and an unworn statement from an individual. (Id.). Accordingly, the Court 

entered an Order directing the Clerk to send him another IFP application and directing him to 

complete and return that IFP application by November 14, 2024. (ECF No. 16). Instead of filing 

his IFP application as directed, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Counsel. (ECF No. 17). This was 

denied on October 29, 2024. (ECF No. 18). 

Every Order directing Plaintiff to submit a required document advised him that failure to 

obey the Order by the deadline would result in the dismissal of his case. Despite numerous Orders 

to do so, Plaintiff has failed to submit either an Amended Complaint or a completed IFP application 

reflecting his free-world financial status. 

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Although pro se pleadings are to be construed liberally, a pro se litigant is not excused 

from complying with substantive and procedural law. Burgs v. Sissel, 745 F.2d 526, 528 (8th Cir. 

1984). The local rules state in pertinent part:

It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify the Clerk 

and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her address, to 

monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. . 

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. . If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to 

within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice. Any party 

proceeding pro se shall be expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal Rules 

of Civil Procedure.

Local Rule 5.5(c)(2).

Additionally, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure specifically contemplate dismissal of a 

case on the grounds that the plaintiff failed to prosecute or failed to comply with orders of the 

court. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630-31 (1962) (stating that 

the district court possesses the power to dismiss sua sponte under Rule 41(b)). Pursuant to Rule 

41(b), a district court has the power to dismiss an action based on “the plaintiff’s failure to comply 

with any court order.” Brown v. Frey, 806 F.2d 801, 803-04 (8th Cir. 1986) (emphasis added).

III. ANALYSIS

Plaintiff has failed to comply with multiple Court Orders. Plaintiff has failed to prosecute 

this matter. Accordingly, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) and Local Rule 

5.5(c)(2) Plaintiff’s Complaint should be dismissed without prejudice for failure to comply with 

the Court’s Local Rules and Orders and failure to prosecute this case.

IV. CONCLUSION

Accordingly, it is recommended that Plaintiff’s Complaint (ECF No. 2) be DISMISSED 

WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 

Referral Status: This case should not remain referred because all matters have been

recommended for dismissal in this Report and Recommendation.

The parties have fourteen days from receipt of the Report and Recommendation in 

which to file written objections pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The failure to file timely 

objections may result in waiver of the right to appeal questions of fact. The parties are 

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reminded that objections must be both timely and specific to trigger de novo review by the 

district court.

DATED this 15th day of November 2024.

/s/ Barry A. Bryant

HON. BARRY A. BRYANT

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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