IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS

BEAUMONT DIVISION

PAUL THOMAS SHAW §

VS. § CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:23-CV-90

ANN PICKLE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, §

et al., 

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION 

OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Plaintiff, Paul Thomas Shaw, a pre-trial detainee at the Jasper County Jail, proceeding pro

se, filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Defendants Ann Pickle, District

Attorney, Mitchell Newman, Sheriff, the Jasper CountyCourt, the Jasper CountyDistrict Court, and

the Jasper County Sheriff Department. 

The above-styled action was referred to the undersigned magistrate judge pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 636 and the Amended Order for the Adoption of Local Rules for the Assignment of Duties

to the United States Magistrate Judge for findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation

for the disposition of the case.

Background

Plaintiff filed this civil rights action on March 3, 2023 (doc. # 1). Plaintiff also filed a

Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis on the same day, however, the motion did not include a

certified income trust statement for the preceding six month period (doc. # 2). On March 23, 2023,

the undersigned ordered Plaintiff to provide a certified income trust statement for the preceding six

month period within 20 days of entry of the order (doc. # 3). In addition, the undersigned ordered

Plaintiff to replead his cause of action within 20 days of entry of the order (doc. # 4). More than

ample time has passed, yet the court has received no response from Plaintiff. 

Discussion

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) authorizes a district court to dismiss an action for

failure to prosecute or for failure to comply with any court order. Larson v. Scott, 157 F.3d 1030,

Case 1:23-cv-00090-MJT-CLS Document 5 Filed 05/12/23 Page 1 of 2 PageID #: 13
1031 (5th Cir. 1998). “This authority [under Rule 41(b)] flows from the court’s inherent power to

control its docket and prevent undue delays in the disposition of pending cases.” Boudwin v.

Graystone Insurance Co., Ltd., 756 F.2d 399, 401 (5th Cir. 1985) (citing Link v. Wabash, R.R. Co.,

370 U.S. 626, 629 (1962)). Plaintiff has failed to communicate with the court, failed to comply with

this court’s orders, and has failed to diligently prosecute this case. 

Recommendation

This civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 should be dismissed for want of

prosecution pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). 

Objections

Within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the magistrate judge’s report, any party may serve

and file written objections to the findings of facts, conclusions of law and recommendations of the

magistrate judge. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(c). 

Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings of facts, conclusions of law and

recommendations contained within this report within fourteen (14) days after service shall bar an

aggrieved party from the entitlement of de novo review by the district court of the proposed findings,

conclusions and recommendations and from appellate review of factual findings and legal

conclusions accepted by the district court except on grounds of plain error. Douglass v. United

Servs. Auto. Ass’n., 79 F.3d 1415, 1417 (5th Cir. 1996) (en banc); 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); FED. R.

CIV. P. 72.

2

.

___________________________________

Christine L Stetson

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE SIGNED this the 12th day of May, 2023.

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