Martin v. D.C. Jail

Opinion

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FILED UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MAY 16 20U t,ltrk, for the District of ColumbIa urts u.s. District & Bankruptcy

ANTHONY ANTONIO MARTIN,

Plaintiff, v. Civil Action No. 10-1957

D.C. JAIL, et ai.,

Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

The Court dismissed this action without prejudice because plaintiff did not submit a

certified copy of his trust fund account statement, including the supporting ledger sheets, for the

six-month period immediately proceeding the filing of his complaint, as is required under 28

U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). Plaintiff since has submitted the required financial information, and this

matter is before the Court on plaintiffs "Motion [to] Keep Case Open." The Court will grant

this motion, grant plaintiffs motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, and dismiss this

action without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Plaintiff, who currently is detained at the D.C. Jail, brings this action against the

institution, the District of Columbia Department of Corrections and Sgt. Hazel Lee. He appears

to allege that Sgt. Lee misconstrued an inmate grievance he submitted, and now demands

compensation of $250,000.00.

Federal district courts have jurisdiction in civil actions arising under the Constitution,

laws or treaties of the United States. See 28 U.S.C. § 1331. In addition, federal district courts

have jurisdiction over civil actions where the matter in controversy exceeds $75,000, and the suit

is between citizens of different states. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). This complaint neither states a federal claim nor establishes diversity of citizenship of the parties. Accordingly, the Court will

dismiss this action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

An Order accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.

United States District Judge