Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-5_19-cv-00090/USCOURTS-ared-5_19-cv-00090-1/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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THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

PINE BLUFF DIVISION

CHRISTIAN J. WRIGHT, ADC #155008 PLAINTIFF

v. Case No. 5:19-cv-00090-KGB

KEDRICK R. AVERY DEFENDANT

ORDER

Before the Court are the Proposed Findings and Recommendations submitted by United 

States Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney on June 7, 2019 (Dkt. No. 19). Judge Kearney 

recommends that defendant Kedrick R. Avery’s motion to dismiss be granted and that plaintiff 

Christian J. Wright’s complaint be dismissed with prejudice. Mr. Wright has filed a timely 

objection to Judge Kearney’s Proposed Findings and Recommendations (Dkt. No. 20). After 

careful consideration of the Proposed Findings and Recommendations and Mr. Wright’s objection 

thereto, as well as a de novo review of the record, the Court finds no reason to alter or reject Judge 

Kearney’s conclusion.

The Court writes separately to address briefly Mr. Wright’s objection. Mr. Wright argues 

that his excessive-force claim against Mr. Avery should not be dismissed for failure to exhaust his 

administrative remedies because prison officials prevented him from doing so. However, the Court 

is not dismissing the case on that ground. Rather, because the only relief requested by Mr. Wright 

is money damages against Mr. Avery in his official capacity, Mr. Wright’s claim is barred by the 

doctrine of sovereign immunity. See Will v. Mich. Dep’t of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 65–66 

(1989); Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 120 (1984).

Accordingly, the Court adopts the Proposed Findings and Recommendations in their 

entirety as this Court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law (Dkt. No. 19). The Court grants 

Case 5:19-cv-00090-KGB Document 33 Filed 03/09/20 Page 1 of 2
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Mr. Avery’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 12). The Court dismisses with prejudice Mr. Wright’s 

claim for monetary damages against Mr. Avery in his official capacity.

It is so ordered this 9th day of March, 2020.

_________________________________

Kristine G. Baker

United States District Judge

Case 5:19-cv-00090-KGB Document 33 Filed 03/09/20 Page 2 of 2