Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca5-03-10927/USCOURTS-ca5-03-10927-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 540
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Mandamus and Other
Cause of Action: 

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* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined

that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent

except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.

R. 47.5.4.

United States Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit

F I L E D

February 17, 2004

Charles R. Fulbruge III

Clerk

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

 

No. 03-10927

Conference Calendar

 

JAMES KEVIN KELCH,

Plaintiff-Appellant,

versus

JOHNSON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT;

BOB ALFORD, Sheriff; COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT; 

R.C. MCFALL, Commissioner; TROY THOMPSON, Commissioner,

Defendants-Appellees.

--------------------

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the Northern District of Texas

USDC No. 4:03-MC-26-A

--------------------

Before HIGGINBOTHAM, EMILIO M. GARZA, and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

James Kevin Kelch, Texas prisoner #1008891, filed a state

court action against the defendants, alleging, inter alia, that

he had been mistreated while in custody. He then filed a notice

of removal seeking to have the case removed to federal court,

which the district court denied. 

 Case: 03-10927 Document: 0051509343 Page: 1 Date Filed: 02/17/2004
No. 03-10927

-2-

As found by the district court, only a defendant may remove

a civil action from state court to federal court. McKenzie v.

United States, 678 F.2d 571, 574 (5th Cir. 1982); 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1441(a). Kelch’s appeal is without arguable merit, is

frivolous, and is therefore DISMISSED. See Howard v. King, 707

F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir. 1983); 5TH CIR. R. 42.2. 

This court’s dismissal of the instant appeal counts as a

“strike” for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Adepegba v.

Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 385-87 (5th Cir. 1996). Kelch is

CAUTIONED that if he accumulates three strikes under 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(g), he will not be able to proceed in forma pauperis in

any civil action or appeal filed while he is incarcerated or

detained in any facility unless he is under imminent danger of

serious physical injury. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

 APPEAL DISMISSED; STRIKE WARNING ISSUED. 

 Case: 03-10927 Document: 0051509343 Page: 2 Date Filed: 02/17/2004