Order Form (01/2005)

United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Name of Assigned Judge

or Magistrate Judge

Sharon Johnson Coleman Sitting Judge if Other

than Assigned Judge

CASE NUMBER 12 C 2709 DATE April 18, 2012

CASE TITLE Johnnie Stallings (#2012-0106225) vs. Correctional Officer Pena, et al.

DOCKET ENTRY TEXT

The motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [#3] is denied pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) and the

complaint is summarily dismissed with prejudice for Plaintiff Johnnie Stallings’ failure to advise the court that

he has “struck out.” The case is terminated. Having brought this action, Stallings nevertheless remains obligated

to pay the full filing fee. Before pursuing any future litigation, he must pay any outstanding fees. 

O[ For further details see text below.] Docketing to mail notices.

STATEMENT

The plaintiff, Johnnie Stallings, an inmate in the custody of the Cook County Department of

Corrections, has brought this pro se 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights action. Stallings claims that Officer Pena

used excessive force when he grabbed Stallings and pushed him against a wall for no justifiable reason,

causing him to sustain a back injury. Stallings also names Tom Dart as a defendant to learn Officer Pena’s

first name. Stallings seeks damages of ten million dollars. 

Stallings has filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. His motion must be denied as he has

accumulated at least three “strikes” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), which provides that a prisoner may neither

bring a civil action nor appeal a civil judgment 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.” § 1915(g). 

At least three of Stallings’ previous actions have been dismissed in this district on the grounds that

they were frivolous, malicious, or failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. See, e.g.,

Stallings v. Norris, Case No. 11 C 7350 (N.D. Ill.), dismissed on preliminary review by Minute Order of

January 17, 2012 (Coleman, J.); Stallings v. Rhodes, Case No. 11 C 8141 (N.D. Ill.), dismissed on

preliminary review by Minute Order of November 18, 2011 (Bucklo, J.); and Stallings v. Bishop, Case No. 12

C 0959 (N.D. Ill.), dismissed on preliminary review by Minute Order of February 22, 2012 (Coleman, J.). In

fact, in Bishop, this court expressly advised Stalllings that he “struck out.” See Minute Order of February 22,

2012, at at1-2. 

Notwithstanding his knowledge that he is barred from doing so, Stallings has nevertheless sought

leave to proceed in forma pauperis, and without disclosing his 1915(g) status to the court. His effective

“fraud” on the court must “lead to immediate termination of the suit.” Sloan v. Lesza, 181 F.3d 857, 859 (7th

Cir. 1999). The complaint is thus dismissed with prejudice. 

The court further notes that Stallings made material omissions in his complaint. The complaint form

instructs him to list all previous lawsuits. (Complaint at 3.) Stallings, however, disclosed only one pending

lawsuit, failing to mention at least seven others, including the three in which he was assessed strikes. Such

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STATEMENT

omissions amount to an additional “fraud” and provides an independent justification for “immediate

termination of the suit.” Sloan, 181 F.3d at 859; see also Hoskins v. Dart, 633 F.3d 541, 543-44 (7th Cir.

2011) (the Seventh Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of a suit for the failure of an inmate plaintiff to fully

divulge his litigation history). Stallings is cautioned to be honest, accurate, and complete with future filings.

Having brought this action, Stallings remains obligated to pay the full filing fee. See 28 U.S.C.

§1915(b)(1); Sloan, 181 F.3d at 859. Before pursuing any future litigation, the plaintiff must pay any

outstanding fees. Id. 

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