Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_20-cv-00016/USCOURTS-ared-3_20-cv-00016-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION

GARY LEON WEBSTER PLAINTIFF 

ADC #114018 

v. Case No: 3:20-CV-00016-LPR 

KAIT CHANNEL 8 TELEVISION STATION DEFENDANT 

 

ORDER

 Plaintiff Gary Leon Webster (“Plaintiff”), incarcerated at the Tucker Unit of the Arkansas 

Department of Correction, filed a pro se Complaint on January 16, 2020. (Doc. 1). Plaintiff did 

not pay the $400 filing fee1

 or file an application to proceed in forma pauperis at the time he filed 

his Complaint. 

The Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”) provides that a prisoner cannot proceed in 

forma pauperis “if 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). 

Prior to filing this lawsuit on January 16, 2020, Plaintiff filed at least three actions that 

were dismissed for failing to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. See Webster v. Does,

3:19-CV-59-DPM (E.D. Ark. June 13, 2019); Webster v. Pigg, 3:19-CV-60-DPM (E.D. Ark. June 

13, 2019); and Webster v. Day Inn Motels, Inc., et al., 3:19-CV-78-DPM (E.D. Ark. June 13, 

                                                            

1 Effective May 1, 2013, the cost for filing a new civil case is $400, which includes a $50 

administrative fee that does not apply to persons granted in forma pauperis status under 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915.

Case 3:20-cv-00016-LPR Document 2 Filed 02/26/20 Page 1 of 2
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2019).  Nevertheless, Plaintiff may proceed in forma pauperis if he falls under the “imminent 

danger” exception to the three strikes rule. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) (providing that a prisoner with 

three strikes shall be granted permission to proceed in forma pauperis if they are “under imminent 

danger of serious physical injury”); Ashley v. Dilworth, 147 F.3d 715, 717 (8th Cir. 1998) 

(explaining that the exception applies only if the prisoner is in imminent danger “at the time of 

filing” and that “[a]llegations that the prisoner has faced imminent danger in the past are 

insufficient”). 

Plaintiff is suing KAIT Channel 8 Television Station. (Doc. 1). Plaintiff alleges that a 

segment that Defendant aired about Plaintiff’s arrest was “malicious,” as the charges against 

Plaintiff were nolle prossed. (Id. at 4). Based on his allegations, Plaintiff was not in imminent 

danger at the time he filed his Complaint. Accordingly, the imminent danger exception does not 

apply. This case will be dismissed due to Plaintiff’s failure to pay the filing fee. Plaintiff will 

have thirty (30) days to reopen this case by paying the $400 filing fee in full. 

It is therefore ORDERED that: 

1. Plaintiff’s Complaint (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED without prejudice. 

2. Plaintiff has thirty (30) days from the date of this Order in which to reopen this case 

by paying the $400 filing fee in full. 

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

appeal from this Order or the accompanying Judgment would not be taken in good faith. 

IT IS SO ORDERED this 26th day of February 2020. 

 

 ________________________________ 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 

Case 3:20-cv-00016-LPR Document 2 Filed 02/26/20 Page 2 of 2