The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EL DORADO DIVISION
JIMMY JERMAINE HEARD PLAINTIFF
v. Civil No. 1:21-cv-01050
DR. DEANNA HOPSON;
CAPTIAN RICHARD MITCHAM;
NURSE KASIE SANFORD; OFFICER
MICK VICK; OFFICER WARD;
OFFICER BEASLEY; OFFICER JONATHAN
TUBBS; and OFFICER JEDIDAH COTTON DEFENDANTS
ORDER
Plaintiff, Jimmy Jermaine Heard, filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action pro se on October 22,
2021. (ECF No. 1). Plaintiff was granted Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis on the same day.
(ECF No. 3). On February 16, 2022, the parties consented to have the undersigned conduct all
proceedings in this case including a jury or nonjury trial and to order the entry of a final judgment
in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73. (ECF No. 21). Before the Court is
Plaintiff’s failure to comply with orders of the Court.
On September 8, 2022, Plaintiff filed a Notice of Change of Address informing the Court
he was released and providing the Court with his free-world mailing address. (ECF No. 42). Based
on this Notice, on September 8, 2022, the Court ordered Plaintiff to either: (1) pay the remaining
balance on his filing fee; or (2) resubmit an application to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) with
such application reflecting Plaintiff’s free-world financial status. (ECF No. 43). Plaintiff’s
response to the September 8, 2022 Order was due on September 29, 2022. Plaintiff failed to
resubmit a new IFP Application, pay his filing fee balance, or file any response.
The Court then entered an Order to Show Cause directing Plaintiff to show cause why he
failed to follow the Court’s September 8, 2022 Order. (ECF No.52). Plaintiff’s response to the
Show Cause Order was due on November 1, 2022. To date, Plaintiff has not filed a response to
the Show Cause Order, resubmitted his IFP Application, or paid the remaining balance on his filing
fee.
On October 11, 2022, the Court ordered Plaintiff to file a response to Defendant Deanna
Hopson’s Motion for Summary Judgment by November 1, 2022. (ECF No. 49). To date, Plaintiff
has not filed a response to the Motion for Summary Judgment. Further, no Orders sent to
Plaintiff’s free-world address of record have 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 several 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.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 18th day of November 2022.
s/ Barry A. Bryant
HON. BARRY A. BRYANT
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE