Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-5_10-cv-00177/USCOURTS-ared-5_10-cv-00177-0/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

PINE BLUFF DIVISION

DAVID LEWIS PLAINTIFF

ADC #105476

v. NO. 5:10CV00177 JLH/HDY

LARRY NORRIS, et al. DEFENDANTS

ORDER

Plaintiff, currently held at the Arkansas Department of Correction’s Cummins Unit, filed a

pro se complaint (docket entry #2), pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, along with an application for leave

to proceed in forma pauperis (docket entry #1), on June 17, 2010.

Because Plaintiff’s complaint must be dismissed, without prejudice, pursuant to the threestrikes provision of the Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”), Plaintiff’s application for leave to

proceed in forma pauperis will be denied.

Under the three-strikes provision of the PLRA, the Court must dismiss a prisoner's in forma

pauperis action at any time, sua sponte or upon a motion of a party, if it determines that the prisoner

has “on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action

or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous,

malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under

imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). The Eighth Circuit has explicitly

upheld the constitutionality of the three-strikes provision. Higgins v. Carpenter, 258 F.3d 797 (8th

Cir. 2001). 

Records in the office of the Clerk of Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas reveal that

Plaintiff has had at least three prior civil actions dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which

Case 5:10-cv-00177-JLH Document 3 Filed 07/30/10 Page 1 of 2
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See Harris et al. v. Norris et al., ED/AR No. 5:00CV158; Lewis v. Norris et al., ED/AR No.

5:00CV201; Ashley et al. v. Norris et al, ED/AR 5:00CV229. 

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relief may be granted.1 Plaintiff’s three strikes have been recognized previously. Lewis v. Golden,

ED/AR No. 5:09CV315.

The Court additionally finds, based on the allegations contained in Plaintiff’s present

complaint, that he is not in imminent danger of serious physical injury. Specifically, Plaintiff raises

constitutional challenges in connection with a disciplinary event in March of 2009. Such claims do

not describe imminent danger of serious physical injury.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 

1. Plaintiff’s complaint is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Should Plaintiff wish

to continue this case, he must submit the statutory filing fee of $350.00 to the Clerk of the Court,

noting the above case style number, within thirty (30) days of the entry date of this order, along with

a motion to reopen the case. Upon receipt of the motion and full payment, this case will be

reopened.

2. The Court additionally certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an in forma

pauperis appeal from this order or any judgment entered hereunder, would not be taken in good faith.

 DATED this 30th day of July, 2010.

____________________________________

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 5:10-cv-00177-JLH Document 3 Filed 07/30/10 Page 2 of 2