Waugh v. Department of Corrections of Florida (Sarasota County)

• Court: District Court, M.D. Florida
• Decided: July 21, 2022
• Docket: 8:22-cv-01453
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA TAMPA DIVISION

NATHANIEL WAUGH,

Plaintiff,

v. Case No. 8:22-cv-1453-WFJ-AAS

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS OF FLORIDA, et al.,

Defendants. /

O R D E R

This cause comes before the Court on Plaintiff Waugh’s civil rights Complaint (Doc. 1) and motion to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 2). Having reviewed the Complaint and being otherwise fully advised the Court Orders as follows: The Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”) amended 28 U.S.C. § 1915 by adding the following subsection: (g) In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding under this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Thus, if a prisoner has had three or more cases dismissed for one of the recited reasons, he cannot proceed in forma pauperis and must pay the

filing fee in full at the time the lawsuit is initiated. Dupree v. Palmer, 284 F.3d 1234, 1236 (11th Cir. 2002). Consequently, courts have a responsibility to dismiss cases, even sua sponte, under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See, e.g., Casey v. Scott, 493 F. App’x

1000, 1001 (11th Cir. 2012). Plaintiff’s prior cases, dismissed as either frivolous, malicious, or for the failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted include Waugh v. Conklin, 2:10-cv-14083-KMM (S.D. Fla.); Waugh v. Highlands Cty. Sheriff’s Office, 2:12-

cv-14382-JEM (S.D. Fla.); Waugh v. Sarasota Cty. Sheriff Office, 1:17-cv-21145- DPG (S.D. Fla.); and Waugh v. Florida Dep’t of Law Enforcement, 4:19-cv-29-MW- CJK (N.D. Fla).

Because he has had three prior dismissals that qualify under Section 1915(g), he does not allege that he is in imminent danger of serious physical injury, and he has not paid the filing fee, Plaintiff’s complaint is due to be dismissed. Plaintiff may initiate a new civil rights case by filing a civil rights complaint and paying the filing

fee in full. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that: 1. The complaint (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE to the filing of a new complaint, in a new case, with a new case number, upon the payment of the filing fee. 2. The CLERK is directed to CLOSE this case. DONE AND ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on July 21, 2022.

WILLIAM F. iS UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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