Court Opinion

ID: 59715
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-26 03:24:26+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:03:08.114589
License: Public Domain

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

                                                                   FILED
                                                                  March 5, 2008
                                No. 07-20163
                              Summary Calendar               Charles R. Fulbruge III
                                                                     Clerk

DENIS MARINGO

                                            Plaintiff-Appellant

v.

ERICA MCGUIRK, The Ghost of Erica J McGuirk, who is the reincarnated
Jezebel Princess of Evil; U S IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCE-
MENT, Houston Field Office Director

                                            Defendants-Appellees

                 Appeal from the United States District Court
                      for the Southern District of Texas
                            USDC No. 4:07-CV-403

Before JONES, Chief Judge, and HIGGINBOTHAM and CLEMENT, Circuit
Judges.

PER CURIAM:*
      Denis Maringo (# A79483831), an alien detainee, appeals from the district
court’s dismissal of his pro se suit as frivolous and for failure to state a claim
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i) and (ii). Maringo alleged that Erica
McGuirk, an attorney for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement

      *
      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should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited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. 07-20163

(ICE), and her ghost, “the reincarnated Jezebel Princess of Evil,” have caused
him mental distress by appearing before him, particularly while he is sleeping
at night or showering. According to Maringo’s complaint, McGuirk and her
ghost sexually harassed him by exposing themselves and “forcing [him] to watch
or participate”; forced him to read ghost and horror literature with them;
insisted that he listen to a ghost-themed radio show; and appeared with “Santa
Claus hats, wings and [a] horn with shaggy, black feathers.” He alleged that
after complaining about this matter, ICE officials retaliated against him by
placing him in a single-person cell, where they could more easily kill him by
poisoning his food. He also alleged that he was placed in lock down status
without any charge, hearing, or evidence and that he was restricted from access
to the law library and a typewriter.
      Section 1915(e)(2)(B) “does not apply to alien detainees,” Edwards v.
Johnson, 209 F.3d 772, 776 (5th Cir. 2000), because they are not “prisoners”
within the meaning of § 1915(h). Ojo v. INS, 106 F.3d 680, 682-83 (5th Cir.
1997). Maringo does not challenge the procedural correctness of the district
court’s dismissal under § 1915(e)(2)(B). We may affirm the district court’s
decision on alternate grounds. See Bickford v. Int’l Speedway, 654 F.2d 1028,
1031 (5th Cir. 1981).
      Maringo’s claims against McGuirk and her ghost are “obviously frivolous”
factually, and the district court’s dismissal of them is affirmed based on the lack
of subject matter jurisdiction. See Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327 & n.6
(1989); Hagans v. Lavine, 415 U.S. 528, 536-37 (1974); Carmichael v. United
Tech. Corp., 835 F.2d 109, 114 (5th Cir. 1988). Maringo has failed to state a
claim of retaliation based on his complaints about McGuirk and her ghost
because frivolous filings may not comprise the basis of a retaliation claim. See
FED. R. CIV. P. 12(b)(6); Johnson v. Rodriguez, 110 F.3d 299, 311 (5th Cir. 1997).
      Concerning his claim that he was placed in lock down status without due
process, Maringo articulates no argument challenging the district court’s

                                        2
                                  No. 07-20163

determination that this placement did not infringe a constitutionally protected
liberty interest or the Eighth Amendment. With respect to his claim of denial
of access to the courts, Maringo does not challenge the district court’s
determination that he failed to allege actual injury resulting from limited access
to the law library or a typewriter. Maringo has thus abandoned any such
challenges, and the district court’s dismissal of those claims is affirmed. See
Brinkmann v. Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Abner, 813 F.2d 744, 748 (5th Cir.
1987). We do not consider Maringo’s equal protection claim based on his
confinement in lockdown status because it is raised for the first time on appeal.
See Leverette v. Louisville Ladder Co., 183 F.3d 339, 342 (5th Cir. 1999).
      The instant appeal presents no legal points arguable on their merits, and
it is dismissed as frivolous. See Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 220 (5th Cir.
1983); 5TH CIR. R. 42.2. Maringo is warned that the filing of further frivolous
appeals will result in sanctions. See Farguson v. MBank Houston, N.A., 808 F.2d
358, 359 (5th Cir. 1986). These sanctions 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. In light of this sanction warning,
Maringo must review his other appeals pending in this court and move to
withdraw any appeal that is frivolous.
      APPEAL DISMISSED; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED.

                                         3