Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-5_24-cv-05034/USCOURTS-arwd-5_24-cv-05034-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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1 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

 FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION 

MATTHEW ALAN FERRY PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 5:24-cv-05034-TLB-CDC

 

LIEUTENANT TYLER ROSS, Benton County 

Detention Center (BCDC); DEPUTY WHITE,

BCDC; and DEPUTY TRUJILLO, BCDC DEFENDANTS 

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b)(1) and (3), the Honorable Timothy L. 

Brooks, United States District Judge, referred this case to the undersigned for the purpose of 

making a Report and Recommendation. The case is before the Court on the Plaintiff’s failure to 

obey an Order of the Court. 

I. DISCUSSION

Plaintiff filed this action on February 8, 2024, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983. He proceeds 

pro se and in forma pauperis (“IFP”). Plaintiff was incarcerated in the Benton County Detention 

Center (“BCDC”) at the time he filed his Complaint. (ECF No. 1 at 1).

When he filed this case, Plaintiff was specifically advised that he was required to 

immediately inform the Court of any change of address. (ECF No. 3). If Plaintiff was 

transferred or released, Plaintiff was told he must advise the Court of any change in his address 

by no later than thirty (30) days from the time of his transfer to another facility or his release. 

Additionally, Rule 5.5(c)(2) of the Local Rules for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas 

requires pro se parties to “promptly notify the Clerk and 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 

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action diligently.” 

On March 8, 2024, mail was returned as undeliverable from the BCDC marked “no longer 

here.” (ECF No. 9). Plaintiff had thirty days, or until April 8, 2024, to provide the Court with 

a new address. On March 11th and April 4th, mail was again returned to the Court from the 

BCDC. (ECF Nos. 11 & 14). 

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure specifically contemplate dismissal of a case on the 

ground that the plaintiff failed to prosecute or failed to comply with an order of the court. Fed. 

R. Civ. P. 41(b); Line 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). 

Additionally, Rule 5.5(c)(2) of the Local Rules for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas 

requires parties appearing pro se to monitor the case, and to prosecute or defend the action 

diligently.

To date, Plaintiff has not provided a new address or contacted the Court in anyway. In 

fact, the last thing filed by the Plaintiff in this case was his February 8, 2024, Complaint and IFP 

application. (ECF Nos. 1 & 2). The Court has confirmed by review of the BCDC detainee 

roster than Plaintiff is not incarcerated in that facility.1

II. CONCLUSION

For this reason, it is recommended that this case be DISMISSED WITHOUT 

PREJUDICE pursuant to Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 5.5(c)(2) 

of the Local Rules for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas.

1 https://benton-so-ar.zuercherportal.com/#/inmates (accessed April 8, 2024). 

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Status of Referral: The referral shall be terminated upon the filing of 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. 

RECOMMENDED this 11th day of April 2024.

s/ Christy Comstock

CHRISTY COMSTOCK

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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