The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
JACKSONVILLE DIVISION
ANTONIO JOHNSON,
Plaintiff,
v. Case No. 3:20-cv-473-J-34PDB
MARK S. INCH, SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,
Defendant.
________________________________
ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Plaintiff Antonio Johnson, a detainee at the Suwannee Correctional Institution
(Prison), initiated this action by mailbox rule on May 4, 2020, by filing a pro se "Emergency
Motion for Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order" (Motion; Doc. 1). In the Motion,
Johnson requests that the Court order Defendant to a complete a transfer to another
prison institution for protective proposes. Motion at 1. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the
Prison instituted limitations that include halting transfers until the pandemic passes. Id. at
1-2. Johnson contends these limitations are “a pretext for indefinite confinement.” Id. at
2. Additionally, Johnson seeks an order from the Court requiring Defendant to provide
him with a charging station for his computer tablet. Id. at 2-3. The Court is of the opinion
that injunctive relief is not warranted.
A preliminary injunction is an "extraordinary and
drastic remedy." McDonald's Corp. v. Robertson, 147 F.3d
1301, 1306 (11th Cir. 1998) (quoting All Care Nursing Serv.,
Inc. v. Bethesda Mem'l Hosp., Inc., 887 F.2d 1535, 1537 (11th
Cir. 1989)). To secure an injunction, a party must prove four
elements: (1) a substantial likelihood of success on the merits;
(2) irreparable injury absent an injunction; (3) the injury
outweighs whatever damage an injunction may cause the
opposing party; and (4) an injunction is not adverse to the
public interest. Id.
Citizens for Police Accountability Political Comm. v. Browning, 572 F.3d 1213, 1217 (11th
Cir. 2009) (per curiam); Keister v. Bell, 879 F.3d 1282, 1287-88 (11th Cir. 2018), cert.
denied, No. 18-17, 2018 WL 3241787 (Oct. 1, 2018). The movant must clearly establish
the burden of persuasion as to the four requisites. See McDonald's Corp. v. Robertson,
147 F.3d 1301, 1306 (11th Cir. 1998). Johnson has failed to carry his burden. Therefore,
his Motion is due to be denied.
Moreover, Johnson is advised that the Court has approved the use of a civil rights
complaint form for cases filed by prisoners pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The form
requires a plaintiff to include detailed information regarding the defendants a plaintiff
intends to sue, the plaintiff's litigation history, a statement of the plaintiff's claims and facts,
and the relief the plaintiff requests. Here, Johnson has neither filed a civil rights complaint
form nor provided the Court with all of the information required by the civil rights complaint
form. Therefore, the Court will direct the Clerk of Court to send Johnson the proper form
for his use if he chooses to refile. The filing fee for a civil rights action is $400.00. Johnson
may file an Affidavit of Indigency if he does not have adequate funds to pay the full filing
fee. In light of the foregoing, this case will be dismissed without prejudice to Johnson’s
right to properly initiate a civil rights case and address any allegedly unconstitutional
actions on the part of Prison employees, and seek monetary damages, if he elects to do
so.
Therefore, it is now
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:
1. Antonio Johnson’s Motion (Doc. 1) is DENIED.
2. This case is hereby DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE to Plaintiff's right
to refile on the proper forms.
3. The Clerk of Court shall enter judgment dismissing this case without
prejudice, terminating any pending motions, and closing the case.
4. The Clerk shall send a civil rights complaint form and an Affidavit of
Indigency form to Johnson. If he elects to refile his claims, he may complete and submit
the proper forms. Johnson should not place this case number on the forms. The Clerk will
assign a separate case number if Johnson elects to refile his claims. In initiating such a
case, Johnson should either file a fully completed Affidavit of Indigency (if he desires to
proceed as a pauper) or pay the proper filing fee (if he does not desire to proceed as a
pauper).
DONE AND ORDERED at Jacksonville, Florida, this 11th day of May, 2020.
United States District Judge
Jax-8
C: Antonio Johnson #446897