Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-5_15-cv-00348/USCOURTS-ared-5_15-cv-00348-2/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

JAMES CLAYTON MAY, 

ADC # 137749 PLAINTIFF

v. 5:15-cv-00348-KGB-JVV

KEVIN DEMON RIDGELL, Sergeant,

Delta Regional Unit DEFENDANT

ORDER

The Court hasreviewed theProposed Findings andRecommendations (“Recommendations”)

submitted by United States Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe and plaintiff James Clayton May’s

objections (Dkt. Nos. 15, 20). After carefully considering the objections and making a de novo

review of the record, the Court concludes that the Recommendations should be, and hereby are,

approved and adopted in their entirety as this Court’s findings in all respects. 

The Court writes separately to address Mr. May’s objections. Judge Volpe determined that

Mr. May did not exhaust his administrative remedies before pursuing litigation in this case (Dkt. No.

15, at 3-4). Consequently, Judge Volpe recommends that defendant’s motion for summaryjudgment

be granted. Rather than respond to that determination, Mr. May’s objections contend that defendant

Kevin Ridgell used excessive force when he pepper sprayed Mr. May for refusing to work outside

in the heat. This Court, however, cannot consider the substance of Mr. May’s claims since he did

not exhaust his administrative remedies until after he filed this action. Exhaustion of administrative

remedies, pursuant to the Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”), is required for all prisoner suits

seeking redress for prison circumstances or occurrences, including claims of excessive force. Porter

v. Nussle, 534 U.S. 516 (2002). Mr. May has not alleged that he has satisfied the PLRA

requirements or is otherwise exempt from those provisions .

 The Court grants defendant’s motion for summary judgement is granted and dismisses

Case 5:15-cv-00348-KGB Document 22 Filed 04/28/16 Page 1 of 2
without prejudice the complaint due to Mr. May’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies (Dkt.

Nos. 12, 2). The Court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an in forma pauperis

appeal from this Order would not be taken in good faith.

Dated this 28th day of April, 2016. 

____________________________________

Kristine G. Baker

United States District Court Judge

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Case 5:15-cv-00348-KGB Document 22 Filed 04/28/16 Page 2 of 2