Court Opinion

ID: 65492
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-26 05:59:24+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:38.823440
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                    FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT  United States Court of Appeals
                                                    Fifth Circuit

                                                 FILED
                                                                             April 7, 2009
                                     No. 08-10440
                                   Summary Calendar                    Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                               Clerk
LESTER JON RUSTON

                                                   Plaintiff-Appellant

v.

DALLAS COUNTY TEXAS; JAMES K ELLIS; A JOE FISH; JAMES K
WOLFSON

                                                   Defendants-Appellees

                   Appeal from the United States District Court
                        for the Northern District of Texas
                             USDC No. 3:07-CV-1076

Before DAVIS, GARZA, and PRADO, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
       Lester Jon Ruston, federal civil detainee # 26834-177, has filed a motion
for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) on appeal following the district
court’s dismissal of his civil action for failure to state a claim and the district
court’s certification that his appeal was not taken in good faith. Ruston’s IFP
motion is construed as a challenge of the district court’s certification decision.
See Baugh v. Taylor, 117 F.3d 197, 202 (5th Cir. 1997). “Under 28 U.S.C. §
1915(a), a federal court may refuse to certify an appeal for in forma pauperis

       *
         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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR .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.
                                   No. 08-10440

status if it is not taken in good faith.” Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th
Cir. 1983). The court’s inquiry into whether the appeal is taken in good faith “is
limited to whether the appeal involves legal points arguable on their merits (and
therefore not frivolous).” Id. at 220 (quotation marks omitted).
      Ruston does not identify any error in the district court’s following
determinations: (1) Judge Fish is absolutely immune from liability for monetary
damages under the Texas Tort Claims Act; and (2) Ruston’s allegations against
the remaining defendants are conclusional. Ruston has also failed to identify
any error in the district court’s determination that the appeal would be frivolous.
When an appellant fails to identify any error in the district court’s analysis, it
is the same as if the appellant had not appealed the decision. Brinkmann v.
Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Abner, 813 F.2d 744, 748 (5th Cir. 1987). Ruston
has not adequately briefed his Freedom of Information Act claim under 5 U.S.C.
§ 552(a)(4)(B).   See Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 224-25 (5th Cir. 1993).
Further, Ruston has not shown that the district court abused its discretion in not
granting his motion for appointment of counsel as he has not shown that
exceptional circumstances warranted the appointment of counsel. See Cupit v.
Jones, 835 F.2d 82, 86 (5th Cir. 1987). Because Ruston’s IFP motion is not
directed at the district court’s reasons for certification decision, he has not shown
that his appeal is not frivolous and taken in good faith. See Baugh, 117 F.3d at
202; Howard, 707 F.2d at 220. Accordingly, Ruston’s IFP motion is denied and
the appeal is dismissed as frivolous. See Howard, 707 F.2d at 220; 5 TH C IR. R.
42.2. Ruston’s motion and supplemental motion for expansion of the record on
appeal and motion for default judgment are denied.
      Ruston’s brief and his motion to disqualify Judge Fish and his motion to
expand the record on appeal dated January 20, 2009, contain abusive and
disrespectful language. These motions are stricken. See Theriault v. Silber, 579
F.2d 302, 303 (5th Cir. 1978); see also Theriault v. Silber, 574 F.2d 197, 197 (5th
Cir. 1978). Ruston was previously warned that any future filings containing

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                                  No. 08-10440

similar abusive and disrespectful language would result in sanctions.           See
United States v. Ruston, No. 07-10433 (5th Cir. July 26, 2007). This court
imposed a monetary sanction of $100 on Ruston for filing a motion containing
abusive and disrespectful language in Ruston v. Dallas County, No. 07-10206
(5th Cir. Dec. 18, 2007); Ruston has paid this sanction. Ruston is ordered to pay
a monetary sanction of $200 for repeatedly filing such motions. See Balawajder
v. Jacobs, 220 F.3d 586, 586 (5th Cir. 2000); Theriault, 579 F.2d at 303. Ruston
is advised that until this sanction has been paid in full, he may not file any
pleadings pro se in this court. The clerk of this court should be directed to refuse
to file any pro se pleadings filed by Ruston unless Ruston submits proof of
satisfaction of this sanction. If Ruston attempts to file any such pro se pleadings
in this court without such proof, the clerk should docket them for administrative
purposes only. Any such submissions which do not show proof that the sanction
has been paid should not be addressed or acknowledged. Ruston is also warned
that filing any future frivolous or repetitive pro se pleadings in this court will
subject him to additional sanctions, as will the failure to withdraw any such
pending pro se pleadings that are frivolous.
      IT IS ORDERED that the motions for leave to proceed IFP on appeal,
expansion of the record and default judgment are DENIED; the motion to
disqualify Judge Fish and the January 20, 2009, motion to expand the record on
appeal are STRICKEN; the appeal is DISMISSED as frivolous; and a monetary
sanction is IMPOSED.

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