Case Name: Paul MINIX, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Unit Major UP HAYNES; Lieutenant UP Pitts; Sergeant UP Ramariz; Correctional Officer UP William; Mailroom Supervisor L. Smith; UP Smith, Gang Intelligence Officer, Defendants-Appellees
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2007-07-10
Citations: 234 F. App'x 250
Docket Number: No. 06-41293
Parties: Paul MINIX, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Unit Major UP HAYNES; Lieutenant UP Pitts; Sergeant UP Ramariz; Correctional Officer UP William; Mailroom Supervisor L. Smith; UP Smith, Gang Intelligence Officer, Defendants-Appellees.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 234
Pages: 250–251

Head Matter:
Paul MINIX, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Unit Major UP HAYNES; Lieutenant UP Pitts; Sergeant UP Ramariz; Correctional Officer UP William; Mailroom Supervisor L. Smith; UP Smith, Gang Intelligence Officer, Defendants-Appellees.
No. 06-41293
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
July 10, 2007.
Paul Minix, Rosharon, TX, pro se.
Before DeMOSS, STEWART and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Paul Minix, Texas prisoner #638154, filed the instant § 1983 suit against several officials at the facility where he was incarcerated to seek redress for alleged acts of retaliation, discrimination, and harassment as well as purportedly false disciplinary charges. The district court dismissed the suit pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b) for want of prosecution. Minix argues that he did his best to comply with the district court's orders and the dismissal was not warranted. Minix also moves this court for copies of records and an evidentiary hearing.
We review the district court's dismissal, which operates as one with prejudice due to the pertinent statute of limitations, for an abuse of discretion. Long v. Simmons, 77 F.3d 878, 880 (5th Cir.1996); McNeal v. Papasan, 842 F.2d 787, 789-90 (5th Cir. 1988). When reviewing a dismissal with prejudice under Rule 41(b), we will conclude that there has been an abuse of discretion unless there is a clear record of delay or contumacious conduct by the plaintiff and the district court has expressly determined that milder sanctions would not encourage diligent prosecution, or the record shows that the district court employed lesser sanctions that proved to be futile. Berry v. CIGNA/RSI-CIGNA 975 F.2d 1188, 1191 (5th Cir.1992).
The dismissal was based on Minix's failure to follow a court order. The district court did not consider lesser sanctions before dismissing Minix's suit. The district court abused its discretion in dismissing Minix's suit. See Berry, 975 F.2d at 1191 & n. 6. Consequently, the judgment of the district court is VACATED, and this case is REMANDED for further proceedings. All outstanding motions are DENIED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.