Case Name: Daniel GOMEZ, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Eddie WHEELER, Warden; Jimmy Betcher, Assistant Warden; Richard Leal, Assistant Warden, Defendants-Appellees
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2014-04-10
Citations: 561 F. App'x 437
Docket Number: No. 13-10185
Parties: Daniel GOMEZ, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Eddie WHEELER, Warden; Jimmy Betcher, Assistant Warden; Richard Leal, Assistant Warden, Defendants-Appellees.
Judges: Before OWEN, ELROD, and HAYNES, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 561
Pages: 437–438

Head Matter:
Daniel GOMEZ, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Eddie WHEELER, Warden; Jimmy Betcher, Assistant Warden; Richard Leal, Assistant Warden, Defendants-Appellees.
No. 13-10185.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
April 10, 2014.
Daniel Gomez, pro se.
Before OWEN, ELROD, and HAYNES, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Daniel Gomez, Texas prisoner # 1589980, moves for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) on appeal from the dismissal of his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint as frivolous. He also moves for the appointment of counsel. Gomez's claims in his § 1988 suit related to whether prison officials failed to protect him against sexual assault, violence, and extortion in his unit.
The magistrate judge (MJ), before whom Gomez consented to proceed, denied his motion for leave to proceed IFP on appeal and certified that this appeal was not taken in good faith. By moving to proceed IFP here, Gomez is challenging the MJ's certification decision. See Baugh v. Taylor, 117 F.3d 197, 202 (5th Cir.1997). Gomez's bare assertions that the MJ was prejudiced against him and that the records of his offender protection investigations constituted clear and convincing evidence of the merits of his claims are insufficient to show that the MJ's certification decision was erroneous. See id.; Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir.1983). Although pro se briefs are liberally construed, even pro se litigants must brief arguments in order to preserve them. Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 225 (5th Cir.1993). The instant appeal is without arguable merit and is dismissed as frivolous. See Baugh, 117 F.3d at 202 n. 24; Howard, 707 F.2d at 219-20; 5TH CIR. R. 42.2.
Gomez filed a prior civil suit that was dismissed as frivolous, a decision for which his appeal has been dismissed. Gomez v. Richey, No. 1:13-CV-12 (N.D.Tex. July 26, 2013), appeal dismissed, No. 13-10837 (5th Cir. Sept. 26, 2013). That prior dismissal counts as one strike under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 387-88 (5th Cir.1996). Based on the district court's dismissal of this instant complaint and our dismissal of this appeal as frivolous, Gomez has accumulated two additional strikes, for a total of at least three strikes under § 1915(g). See id. at 388. Thus, Gomez may not proceed IFP in any civil action or appeal filed while he is incarcerated or detained in any facility unless he is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. See § 1915(g).
Additionally, we warn Gomez that frivolous, repetitive, or otherwise abusive filings will invite the imposition of sanctions, which may include dismissal, monetary sanctions, and restrictions on his ability to file pleadings in this court and any court subject to this court's jurisdiction. Gomez is further warned that he should review any pending appeals and actions and move to dismiss any that are frivolous.
MOTION FOR LEAVE TO PROCEED IFP DENIED; MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL DENIED; APPEAL DISMISSED; 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) BAR IMPOSED; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED.
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.