Case Name: Richard CORREA, Sr., Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Doug DRETKE, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division; Cynthia A. Popp; Richard C. Thaler; Robert H. Quada, Defendants-Appellees
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2005-01-31
Citations: 122 F. App'x 112
Docket Number: No. 04-20345
Parties: Richard CORREA, Sr., Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Doug DRETKE, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division; Cynthia A. Popp; Richard C. Thaler; Robert H. Quada, Defendants-Appellees.
Judges: Before JONES, BARKSDALE and PRADO, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 122
Pages: 112–115

Head Matter:
Richard CORREA, Sr., Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Doug DRETKE, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division; Cynthia A. Popp; Richard C. Thaler; Robert H. Quada, Defendants-Appellees.
No. 04-20345.
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Decided Jan. 31, 2005.
Richard Correa, Sr., Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville, TX, pro se.
Before JONES, BARKSDALE and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Richard Correa, Sr., Texas prisoner # 1084369, appeals, pro se, the dismissal of his civil rights complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). This action arises out of the temporary seizure from Correa of the portable programmer for his implanted pulse generator. Correa contends the district court erred by dismissing (1) his retaliation claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101-12213(ADA), and the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 791-794e (RA); (2) his due process and equal protection claims; and (3) his deliberate indifference claims against Thaler and Popp.
Correa did not state a viable retaliation claim because he did not allege defendants retaliated against him for engaging in a protected activity. See Seaman v. CSPH, Inc., 179 F.3d 297, 301 (5th Cir.1999). Because Correa did not allege he was treated differently from similarly situated prisoners or that defendants engaged in purposeful discrimination to harm an identifiable group, his complaint failed to state an equal protection claim upon which relief may be granted. See Wheeler v. Miller, 168 F.3d 241, 252 (5th Cir.1999); Johnson v. Rodriguez, 110 F.3d 299, 306-07 (5th Cir.), cert denied, 522 U.S. 995, 118 S.Ct. 559, 139 L.Ed.2d 400 (1997).
Correa did not allege his freedom from restraint was curtailed by defendants; therefore, he did not allege they infringed upon a protected liberty interest. See Sandin v. Conner, 515 U.S. 472, 484, 115 S.Ct. 2293, 132 L.Ed.2d 418 (1995). And, because Texas law provides an adequate post-deprivation remedy for the unlawful taking of property, Correa's complaint did not state a viable due process claim for the infringement of a protected property interest. See Cathey v. Guenther, 47 F.3d 162, 164 (5th Cir.1995); Sheppard v. La. Bd. of Parole, 873 F.2d 761, 763 (5th Cir.1989) (citing Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U.S. 517, 533-35, 104 S.Ct. 3194, 82 L.Ed.2d 393 (1984)). Accordingly, Correa's complaint did not state a due process claim upon which relief may be granted. See Blackburn v. City of Marshall, 42 F.3d 925, 935 (5th Cir.1995).
Because Correa did not allege Thaler was personally involved in a constitutional deprivation, his complaint did not state a viable deliberate indifference claim against Thaler. See Thompkins v. Belt, 828 F.2d 298, 303-04 (5th Cir.1987). His contention that Thaler was sufficiently personally involved in a constitutional deprivation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1985-1986 is without merit because he did not allege that Thaler's actions were motivated by racial or class-based invidiously discriminatory animus. See Bradt v. Smith, 634 F.2d 796, 801-02 (5th Cir. Unit A Jan. 1981).
Although Correa alleged facts showing Popp was aware of facts from which she could draw the inference that a substantial risk of harm existed, he did not allege facts showing Popp actually drew that inference. This is, therefore, insufficient to state a claim for deliberate indifference. See Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 837, 114 S.Ct. 1970, 128 L.Ed.2d 811 (1994). Furthermore, as the interruption of Correa's treatment was brief, any pain Correa suffered as a result of the interruption was insufficient to establish a constitu tional violation. See Mayweather v. Foti, 958 F.2d 91, 91 (5th Cir.1992).
The district court's dismissal of Correa's complaint counts as a strike for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 388 (5th Cir. 1996). Correa is cautioned that, if he accumulates three strikes, he may not proceed in forma pauperis 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 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).
AFFIRMED, 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.