The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
EASTERN DIVISION
WALTER JAMAR AVERY, )
AIS 184038, )
)
Plaintiff, )
) .
v. ) Case No. 3:23-cv-326-MHT-SMD
) (WO)
LAURA A. LAUDERDALE, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE
I. INTRODUCTION
This case is before the court on a pro se 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint filed by Walter
Jamar Avery, a frequent federal litigant incarcerated at the Lee County Detention Center
in Opelika, Alabama. Doc. 1. Avery claims that various individuals violated his
constitutional rights when criminal charges against him were not dropped as had allegedly
been provided in a plea agreement underlying his 2019 probation revocation.1 Id. at 2–3.
The relief requested by Avery includes “compensation for each day spent under dropped
charge as well as pain and suffering” and removal and replacement of those persons who
he says violated his constitutional rights. Id. at 4.
1 Avery lists the following individuals as Defendants: Attorneys Laura A. Lauderdale and Scott
Patrick, Sheriff Jay Jones, Probation Officer John Christian, “Ventouri–DA,” and “Mr. Koleti.”
Doc. 1 at 1–2.
II. DISCUSSION
Avery has moved for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Doc. 2. However, 28
U.S.C. § 1915(g) directs that a prisoner may not bring a civil action or proceed on appeal
in forma pauperis if he “has, on 3 or more 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.”2 An
inmate in violation of the “three strikes” provision of § 1915(g) who is not in “imminent
danger” of suffering a “serious physical injury” when he filed the complaint may not
proceed in forma pauperis and must pay the filing and administrative fees upon initiation
of his case.3 Dupree v. Palmer, 284 F.3d 1234, 1236 (11th Cir. 2002). “The prisoner cannot
simply pay the filing fee after being denied in forma pauperis status.” Id.
Court records establish that Avery, while incarcerated or detained, has, on at least
three occasions, had civil actions dismissed under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 as frivolous, malicious,
2 In Rivera v. Allin, 144 F.3d 719, 732 (11th Cir. 1998), the Eleventh Circuit held that the “three
strikes” provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), which requires frequent-filer prisoner indigents to
prepay the entire filing fee before federal courts may consider their cases and appeals, “does not
violate the First Amendment right to access the courts; the separation of judicial and legislative
powers; the Fifth Amendment right to due process of law; or the Fourteenth Amendment right to
equal protection, as incorporated through the Fifth Amendment.” In Jones v. Bock, 549 U.S. 199
(2007), the U.S. Supreme Court abrogated Rivera but only to the extent Rivera required an inmate
to plead or demonstrate exhaustion of remedies in his complaint. Jones, 549 U.S. at 216.
3 A filing fee of $350.00 for a non-habeas civil action is imposed by 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). In
addition, as of December 1, 2016, the Judicial Conference imposed a $50.00 administrative fee,
except in habeas cases and in cases brought by persons who are permitted to proceed in forma
pauperis. 28 U.S.C. § 1914, Jud. Conf. Schedule of Fees, No. 14.
for failure to state a claim or for asserting claims against defendants immune from suit.4
The cases on which the court relies in finding a § 1915(g) violation by Avery include: (1)
Avery v. Camp, Civil Action No. 3:02-cv- 81-WHA (M.D. Ala. 2002); (2) Avery v. Brown,
Civil Action No. 3:02-cv-82-MHT (M.D. Ala. 2002); and (3) Avery v. Kirby, Civil Action
No. 3:06-cv-960-WKW (M.D. Ala. 2006).
Because Avery has three strikes, he may not proceed in forma pauperis unless he
demonstrates he was “under imminent danger of serious physical injury” when he filed his
complaint. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). In determining whether a plaintiff satisfies this burden,
“the issue is whether his complaint, as a whole, alleges imminent danger of serious physical
injury.” Brown v. Johnson, 387 F.3d 1344, 1350 (11th Cir. 2004). “A plaintiff must provide
the court with specific allegations of present imminent danger indicating that a serious
physical injury will result if his claims are not addressed.” Abdullah v. Migoya, 955
F.Supp.2d 1300, 1307 (S.D. Fla. 2013). “General allegations” not grounded in specific
facts “are not sufficient to invoke the exception to § 1915(g).” Niebla v. Walton Corr. Inst.,
2006 WL 2051307, at *2 (N.D. Fla. July 20, 2006) (citing Martin v. Shelton, 319 F.3d
1048, 1050 (8th Cir. 2003)).
The court has carefully reviewed Avery’s complaint. His claims do not allege or
indicate that he “is under imminent danger of serious physical injury,” as required to meet
the imminent danger exception to applying 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Medberry v. Butler, 185
4 In determining whether Avery has three strikes, this court takes judicial notice of its own records.
See Horne v. Potter, 392 F. App’x 800, 802 (11th Cir. 2010).
F.3d 1189, 1192–93 (11th Cir. 1999). The court therefore concludes that Avery’s motion
for leave to proceed in forma pauperis is due to be denied and that this case should be
summarily dismissed without prejudice for Avery’s failure to pay the requisite filing and
administrative fees upon initiation. Dupree, 284 F.3d at 1236 (11th Cir. 2002) (“[T]he
proper procedure is for the district court to dismiss the complaint without prejudice when
it denies the prisoner leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to the provisions of §
1915(g)” because the prisoner “must pay the filing fee [and now applicable administrative
fee] at the time he initiates the suit.”).
III. CONCLUSION
It is the RECOMMENDATION of the Magistrate Judge that:
1. The motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed by Avery (Doc. 2) be
DENIED.
2. This case be DISMISSED without prejudice for Avery’s failure to pay the full
filing and administrative fees upon initiation.
It is further ORDERED that by May 31, 2023, the plaintiff may file objections to
the Recommendation. The plaintiff must specifically identify the factual findings and legal
conclusions in the Recommendation to which the objection is made. Frivolous, conclusive,
or general objections will not be considered. Failure to file written objections to the
Magistrate Judge’s findings and recommendations under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) shall bar a
de novo determination by the District Court of legal and factual issues covered in the
Recommendation and waives the right of the plaintiff to challenge on appeal the District
Court’s order based on unobjected-to factual and legal conclusions accepted or adopted by
the District Court except upon grounds of plain error or manifest injustice. Nettles v.
Wainwright, 677 F.2d 404 (5th Cir. 1982); 11TH CIR. R. 3-1. See Stein v. Lanning
Securities, Inc., 667 F.2d 33 (11th Cir. 1982).
DONE this 17th day of May, 2023.
/s/ Stephen M. Doyle
STEPHEN M. DOYLE
CHIEF U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE