Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-4_24-cv-04036/USCOURTS-arwd-4_24-cv-04036-0/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 

TEXARKANA DIVISION 

JOHN ASHLEY RODRIGUES PLAINTIFF 

v. Civil No. 4:24-CV-04036-SOH-CDC 

INVESTIGATOR TERRY DARDEN, Lewisville Police Department; and 

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, 

 DEFENDANTS. 

ORDER FOLLOWING SHOW CAUSE HEARING 

The above-captioned civil rights matter came before the Court on an order to show cause 

hearing why the Defendants should not be found in default for failing to Answer or otherwise 

respond to Plaintiff’s Complaint. 

Plaintiff appeared pro se and in custody. Lafayette County Sheriff Jeff Black was also 

present. JaNan Arnold Thomas, Esq., Association of Arkansas Counties Risk Management 

Services, appeared on behalf of Lafayette County. No appearance was made by or on behalf of 

Defendant Terry Darden. 

At the hearing, Attorney Thomas reported that Defendant Darden was currently 

incapacitated, and residing at a nursing home following a stroke. Attorney Thomas also reported 

that Lafayette County ascertained that “D. Minter,” the individual who signed for the certified 

mail, was the postal worker. According to Attorney Thomas and Sheriff Black, the postal worker 

has no authority to accept certified mail on behalf of the County. Given these specific 

circumstances, Attorney Thomas agreed to accept service on behalf of Lafayette County. No 

additional service information for Defendant Darden was provided. 

Accordingly, this Court finds good cause why the Defendants should not be found in 

default for failing to answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff’s lawsuit. Thus, it is ordered that, 

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Defendant Lafayette County shall Answer or respond to this lawsuit within 21 days, or 

by Thursday, September 26, 2024. 

It is further ordered that Plaintiff shall provide additional service information for Defendant 

Darden by that same date, Thursday, September 26, 2024. Plaintiff is cautioned that “[i]f a 

defendant is not served within 90 after the complaint is file, the court—on motion or on its own 

after notice to the plaintiff—must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or 

order that service be made within a specified time.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m). 

IT IS SO ORDERED this 4th day of September 2024. 

/s/ Christy Comstock

CHRISTY COMSTOCK 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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