Opinion ID: 794277
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Officer Pruett

Text: 18 Reasonover argues the district court abused its discretion in granting Officer Pruett's motion for summary judgment without allowing Reasonover sufficient time to respond. Reasonover also claims the district court's order in essence granted a default judgment and violated Reasonover's due process. Finally, Reasonover argues the evidence presented by Officer Pruett, regardless whether Reasonover responded, did not merit granting Officer Pruett summary judgment, because the evidence demonstrated material issues of fact whether Officer Pruett was involved in filing a false police report and suppressing exculpatory evidence. 19 Reasonover's arguments fail. District courts have broad discretion to set filing deadlines and enforce local rules. See Nw. Bank & Trust Co. v. First Ill. Nat'l Bank, 354 F.3d 721, 724-25 (8th Cir. 2003); Grandson v. Univ. of Minn., 272 F.3d 568, 574 (8th Cir.2001). According to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(e) and Eastern District of Missouri Local Rule 7-4.01(E), Reasonover had thirty days to respond to Officer Pruett's motion for summary judgment, and if Reasonover failed to respond timely, those matters would be deemed admitted. It was no abuse of discretion for the district court, after diligently working with the parties regarding the filing schedule, to stick to its previously established deadline for Reasonover to respond to Officer Pruett's motion. With Reasonover failing to file a timely response, the district court did not abuse its discretion in deeming facts set forth in Officer Pruett's motion admitted. See E.D. Mo. L.R. 7-4.01(E). Furthermore, Reasonover's argument that the district court's order amounted to a default judgment also is without merit. The court considered the admitted facts in light of the relevant law and ruled based on the merits. See Bennett v. Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc., 295 F.3d 805, 809 (8th Cir.2002). 20 Finally, based on the uncontroverted facts presented in Officer Pruett's motion, summary judgment in favor of Officer Pruett was appropriate. Officer Pruett claims he did not falsely report the information he was provided by members of the Weston family, nor did he conspire with anyone to implicate Reasonover in Buckley's murder, including the prosecuting attorney. Officer Pruett had limited contact with Goldman and did not participate in the criminal trial. The Westons' later testimony notwithstanding, Officer Pruett's factual statements are deemed admitted by Reasonover. Reasonover has therefore failed to show Officer Pruett's conduct deprived her of a constitutional right. See Hamilton v. Schriro, 74 F.3d 1545, 1549 (8th Cir.1996). Thus, we affirm the district court's order granting Officer Pruett's motion for summary judgment.