The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
RON WESLEY HAYES PLAINTIFF
v. Civil No. 4:21-cv-04071
CHIEF ROBERT HARRISON, Texarkana
Arkansas Police Department (“TAPD”);
OFFICER JOHN DOE, TAPD; CONNIE
MITCHELL, Prosecuting Attorney; NURSE
KING, Miller County Detention Center (“MCDC”);
and SERGEANT HENDERSON, MCDC DEFENDANTS
ORDER
Plaintiff, Ron Wesley Hayes, filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action pro se on October 22, 2021.
(ECF No. 1). His application to proceed in forma pauperis was granted that same day. (ECF No.
3). Before the Court is Plaintiff’s failure to comply with orders of the Court.
On November 2, 2021, the Court ordered Plaintiff to file an amended complaint by
November 23, 2021, to clarify his claims. (ECF No. 6). The order informed Plaintiff that failure
to comply would result in the case being dismissed without prejudice. Plaintiff did not file an
amended complaint, and the order directing him to do so has not been returned as undeliverable.
On December 1, 2021, the Court entered an order directing Plaintiff to show cause by
December 22, 2021, as to why he failed to comply with the Court’s order directing him to file an
amended complaint. (ECF No. 7). This order also informed Plaintiff that failure to comply would
result in this case being dismissed. To date, Plaintiff has not responded to the show cause order,
and the order has not been returned to the Court as undeliverable.
Although pro se pleadings are to be construed liberally, a pro se litigant is not excused
from complying with substantive and procedural law. Burgs v. Sissel, 745 F.2d 526, 528 (8th Cir.
1984). The Local Rules state in pertinent part:
It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify the Clerk
and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her address, to
monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently.
. . . If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to
within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice. Any party
proceeding pro se shall be expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure.
Local Rule 5.5(c)(2).
Additionally, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure specifically contemplate dismissal of a
case on the grounds that the plaintiff failed to prosecute or failed to comply with orders of the
court. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630-31 (1962) (stating the
district court possesses the power to dismiss sua sponte under Rule 41(b)). Pursuant to Rule 41(b),
a district court has the power to dismiss an action based on “the plaintiff's failure to comply with
any court order.” Brown v. Frey, 806 F.2d 801, 803-04 (8th Cir. 1986) (emphasis added).
Plaintiff has failed to obey two orders of the Court. Therefore, pursuant to Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 41(b) and Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), the Court finds that this case should be dismissed.
Accordingly, Plaintiff’s complaint (ECF No. 1) is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.1
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 24th day of January, 2022.
/s/ Susan O. Hickey
Susan O. Hickey
Chief United States District Judge
1 The Court notes that Plaintiff filed another lawsuit on October 20, 2021, naming the same parties and asserting
similar claims. Case No. 4:21-cv-04069. That case (Case No. 4:21-cv-04069) is not affected by the dismissal of the
instant lawsuit.