Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00255/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00255-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1983 Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION 

JOHN ANDERSON PLAINTIFF 

v. No. 3:19-cv-255-DPM 

CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS; MARCO 

McCLENDON, Mayor, in his official 

capacity; E. C. WEST, Chief, in his official 

capacity; LARTERRIOUS JOHNSON, 

Officer, individually and in his official 

capacity; SOUTHLAND RACING 

CORPORATION, dfb/a Southland Casino 

Racing; and PHAISON BOSTON, Security 

Manager, Individually and as an agent on 

behalf of Southland Casino Racing 

ORDER 

DEFENDANTS 

Anderson, a black man, wouldn't show his ID to Southland's 

security manager, Boston, or leave the premises. Officer Johnson 

arrived after being contacted by Southland security. He arrested 

Anderson - physically and verbally assaulting him, Anderson says, in 

the process. Anderson was eventually acquitted of an unspecified 

misdemeanor. He has sued Officer Johnson, the West Memphis police 

chief, the West Memphis mayor, the city, Southland, and Boston. 

Anderson claims the non-city defendants conspired with the officer and 

city to violate Anderson's civil rights, contrary to 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). 

He brings 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims against the city defendants; as best 

Case 3:19-cv-00255-DPM Document 25 Filed 01/03/20 Page 1 of 3
the Court can tell, Anderson directs these claims against Southland and 

Boston, too. NQ 12 at ,r,r 1, 2 7. 

Southland's and Boston's joint motion to dismiss is well taken. 

The only alleged interaction between them and public officials is that 

unnamed Southland security staff contacted Officer Johnson. 

Anderson hasn't pleaded with particularity any agreement or meeting 

of the minds between Southland and any public official; he therefore 

hasn't stated a § 1985 claim. Kelly v. City of Omaha, Nebraska, 

813 F.3d 1070, 1077-78 (8th Cir. 2016). Likewise, his § 1983 claims 

against Southland and Boston fail for lack of alleged joint activity 

between them and any public officials. Magee v. Trustees of Hamline 

University, Minnesota, 747 F.3d 532, 536 (8th Cir. 2014). 

* * * 

Motion, NQ 14, granted as modified: the amended complaint is 

dismissed without prejudice as to Southland and Boston for failure to 

state a claim. The complaint is murky as to Anderson's allegations 

under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the remaining defendants. The Court 

grants Anderson leave to file a second amended complaint against 

those defendants by 17 January 2020. If Anderson doesn't do so, then 

the Court will dismiss his amended complaint without prejudice. 

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Case 3:19-cv-00255-DPM Document 25 Filed 01/03/20 Page 2 of 3
So Ordered. 

D.P. Marshall Jr. 

United States District Judge 

3 :r ~v (M. y .;l. o ~ o I 

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Case 3:19-cv-00255-DPM Document 25 Filed 01/03/20 Page 3 of 3