Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_24-cv-00183/USCOURTS-ared-4_24-cv-00183-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Other Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

CENTRAL DIVISION

ALl ALl BEY PLAINTIFF

v. No. 4:24-cv-183-DPM

RICHARD SZABAD; BRYANT

POLICE DEPARTMENT; and

TRE DAVIS, Patrol Person DEFENDANTS

ORDER

Bey has amended his complaint. Doc. 4. The Court must screen

it, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2), to determine whether the amended complaint

cures the pleading problems that the Court identified in his original

complaint. Doc. 3.

In March 2023, Bey was retrieving scrap metal from the Szabad

Brothers' dumpster when Richard Szabad blocked his car in the

parking lot and accused him of stealing. Doc. 4. Szabad called the

police. Bryant Police Officer Tre Davis issued Bey citations for theft of

scrap metal and criminal trespass. The charges were later dropped.

Bey alleges Officer Davis shouldn't have issued them because Bey

immediately put the scrap metal back in the dumpster. Bey says he has

been humiliated and seeks damages for false imprisonment and

malicious prosecution.

Case 4:24-cv-00183-DPM Document 5 Filed 05/16/24 Page 1 of 3
Some of Bey's claims fail and will be dismissed without prejudice:

 ̄ The Bryant Police Department is not an entity that can be

sued under § 1983. Ketchum v. City of West Memphis,

Arkimsas, 974 F.2d 81, 82 (8th Cir. 1992).

 ̄ Bey's § 1983 claims against Szabad fail because Szabad is a

private citizen. And Bey hasn't alleged any facts to suggest

that Szabad's actions were "fairly attributable to the state."

Comiskey v. JFTJ Corp., 989 F.2d 1007, 1010 (8th Cir. 1993).

 ̄ Bey's official-capacity claims against Officer Davis fail

because he hasn't argued that Officer Davis was acting

under a city policy, practice, or custom. Brewington v. Keener,

902 F.3d 796, 800-01 (8th Cir. 2018).

 ̄ No individual-capacity false imprisonment claim lies

against Officer Davis because, as Bey says, the officer made

Szabad move his vehicle so Bey could leave. Limited Stores,

Inc. v. Wilson-Robinson, 317 Ark. 80, 83, 876 S.W.2d 248,

250 (1994).

Two of Bey's claims go forward. Clarification is needed before

the Court can say whether or not Bey has a solid malicious prosecution

claim against Szabad and Officer Davis or a solid false imprisonment

claim against Szabad. The circumstances about the dumpster (for

example, where it was located) and the blocking-in (where this

occurred) are murky. Thompson v. Clark, 596 U.S. 36, 42-46 (2022);

Wilson-Robinson, 317 Ark. at 83-84, 876 S.W.2d at 250-51; Hollingsworth

v. First National Bank & Trust Co., 311 Ark. 637, 640-41, 846 S.W.2d 176,

-2-

Case 4:24-cv-00183-DPM Document 5 Filed 05/16/24 Page 2 of 3
178-79 (1993). Adversarial briefing after service of process will clarify

the record and the applicable law.

One other point bears mention. Bey says he is a Moorish

American. Doc. 4 at 1. That claimed status has no effect whatsoever on

this Court's power to address his claims or exercise jurisdiction over

him. Boyle v. Missouri, 2013 WL 5651394, at *1 (E.D. Mo.

15 October 2013) (collecting cases); see also Bey v. State, 847 F.3d 559,

560-61 (7th Cir. 2017).

The Court directs the Clerk to issue summonses for Szabad and

Officer Davis and deliver them, along with a copy of the complaint,

amended complaint, and this Order, to the United States Marshal for

service. The Marshal must serve these papers on Szabad by restricted

delivery, return receipt requested at the address provided in the

complaint. The Marshal must serve Officer Davis by restricted

delivery, return receipt requested at the Bryant Police Department. Bey

does not have to prepay the fees and costs or security.

So Ordered.

i7w ç-4' <

D.P. Marshall Jr.

United States District Judge

1 2o

Case 4:24-cv-00183-DPM Document 5 Filed 05/16/24 Page 3 of 3