Case Name: Willie SWAFFORD, Petitioner-Appellant, v. N. Burl CAIN; State of Louisiana; Charles C. Foti, Jr., Respondents-Appellees
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2006-10-24
Citations: 202 F. App'x 817
Docket Number: No. 05-30975
Parties: Willie SWAFFORD, Petitioner-Appellant, v. N. Burl CAIN; State of Louisiana; Charles C. Foti, Jr., Respondents-Appellees.
Judges: Before JOLLY, DeMOSS, and STEWART, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 202
Pages: 817–818

Head Matter:
Willie SWAFFORD, Petitioner-Appellant, v. N. Burl CAIN; State of Louisiana; Charles C. Foti, Jr., Respondents-Appellees.
No. 05-30975
Conference Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Oct. 24, 2006.
Willie Swafford, Angola, LA, pro se.
Before JOLLY, DeMOSS, and STEWART, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Willie Swafford, Louisiana prisoner # 131777, appeals the district court's dismissal as frivolous of his pro se, in forma pauperis (IFP) 18 U.S.C. § 1961-68 RICO action. He alleged that the appellees conspired to obtain his second-degree murder conviction through the use of, inter alia, "trickery," perjury, and jury tampering. Swafford has filed a brief with this court wherein he argues the merits of his claims raised in the district court but does not address the basis for the district court's dismissal of his claims. He does not address the district court's determination that he failed to allege an injury to his property or business as is necessary to recover under RICO. Nor does he address the district court's alternative holding that his claims were barred by Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994).
By failing to brief any argument challenging the district court's reasons for dismissal, Swafford has abandoned the only grounds for appeal. See Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 224-25 (5th Cir.1993); Brinkmann v. Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Abner, 813 F.2d 744, 748 (5th Cir.1987). The appeal is wholly without merit, is frivolous, and is therefore dismissed. See 5th Cir. R. 42.2; Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir.1983).
The dismissal of Swafford's appeal counts as a strike for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), as does the district court's dismissal as frivolous. See Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 387-88 (5th Cir.1996). Swafford is cautioned that if he accumulates three strikes, he will no longer be allowed to 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).
APPEAL DISMISSED; 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.