The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
HARRISON DIVISION
JASON HARTLEY HELM PLAINTIFF
v. Civil No. 3:21-cv-03035-TLB-MEF
CAPTAIN LOOKINGBILL,
Carroll County Detention Center (CCDC);
DETENTION OFFICER RALLS, CCDC;
BRANTLEY (first name unknown), CCDC;
CORPORAL KOSTER, CCDC; and
NURSE KAUFFMAN, CCDC DEFENDANTS
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE
This is a civil rights action filed by the Plaintiff pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff
proceeds pro se and in forma pauperis. Pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b)(1) and
(3), the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks, United States District Judge, referred this case to the
undersigned for the purpose of making a Report and Recommendation. The case is before the
Court on Plaintiff’s failure to obey the Court’s Orders.
I. DISCUSSION
Plaintiff filed his Complaint to initiate this action on May 12, 2021. (ECF No. 1). On
January 23, 2023, Separate Defendant Nurse Kauffman filed a Motion for Summary Judgment.
(ECF Nos. 91-93). The next day, an Order (ECF No. 94) was entered directing Plaintiff to
respond to the summary judgment motion by February 14, 2023. Plaintiff was given explicit
instructions regarding what was required by him to file a response in accordance with Rule 56 of
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
On February 3, 2023, the remaining Defendants filed a Motion for Summary Judgment
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(ECF Nos. 95-97). On February 6, 2023, an Order (ECF No. 98) was entered directing Plaintiff
to respond to this summary judgment motion by February 27, 2023. In both Orders (ECF Nos.
94 & 98) directing Plaintiff to respond to the summary judgment motions, Plaintiff was advised
that failure to respond to the Order would result in: (a) all the facts set forth by the Defendants in
the summary judgment papers being deemed admitted by the Plaintiff, and/or (b) shall subject the
case to dismissal, without prejudice.
Plaintiff did not file a response to either Motion for Summary Judgment. On March 1,
2023, a Show Cause Order (ECF No. 99) was entered. Plaintiff was given until March 22, 2023,
to show cause why he failed to obey the Orders of the Court. Plaintiff was advised that if he failed
to respond to the Show Cause Order, the case shall be subject to dismissal.
On March 22, 2023, Plaintiff filed a Response (ECF No. 101) to the Show Cause Order.
Plaintiff indicated his lack of communication with the Court and Defendants was due to serious
personal issues including problems with his health and a death in his family. Plaintiff then made
several requests. First, he asked “to refile all matters.” He contended he did not receive all
necessary medical documents and grievances during the discovery phase. Plaintiff was advised
he should have brought these issues to the Court’s attention during the discovery phase of this
case. In fact, the Court noted it was clear Plaintiff knew how to bring the discovery issues before
the Court because he had previously filed a Motion to Compel (ECF No. 79). Accordingly, this
request was denied. (ECF No. 101). Second, and if his first request was not granted, Plaintiff
asked for an extension of time to seek counsel. He indicated he is “ignorant” of the “proper law.”
The request was denied. (Id.). The Court noted that nothing had prevented Plaintiff from
seeking counsel at any point during the pendency of this case. Finally, and if his other relief was
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not granted, Plaintiff requested an extension of time to respond to the Defendants’ pending
Summary Judgment Motions. This request was granted. (Id.). Plaintiff was given until April
14, 2023, to respond to the pending motions. Plaintiff was advised that failure to file his summary
judgment responses in a timely manner would result in the dismissal of his case.
Plaintiff did not file his summary judgment responses. As a matter of procedural fairness
and to give Plaintiff yet another opportunity to comply with the Court’s Orders, a Show Cause
Order (ECF No. 102) was entered. Plaintiff was given until May 11, 2023, to respond. Plaintiff
was advised that if he failed to respond by the deadline, “this case shall be subject to dismissal.”
To date, Plaintiff has not filed responses to the Defendants’ pending Motions for Summary
Judgment or a response to the Show Cause Order. He has not requested an extension of time to
file his responses. No mail has been returned as undeliverable. Plaintiff has failed to comply
with the Court’s Orders (ECF Nos. 101 & 102). Plaintiff was advised in each of the above-
mentioned Orders that failure to comply would subject the case to dismissal.
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 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). Additionally,
Rule 5.5(c)(2) of the Local Rules for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas requires parties
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appearing pro se to monitor the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently.
Furthermore, a dismissal pursuant to Rule 41(b) operates as an adjudication on the merits
unless it is otherwise specified. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); Brown, 806 F.2d at 803. When
considering Rule 41(b) dismissal, the Court must balance: (1) “the degree of [Plaintiff’s] egregious
conduct”; (2) the adverse impact of the conduct on the Defendants; and (3), the Court’s ability to
administer justice. Rodgers v. Curators of University of Missouri, 135 F.3d 1216, 1219 (8th Cir.
1998) (internal quotations omitted). In Rodgers, the Eighth Circuit provides the standard the
Court must consider before dismissing with prejudice for failure to prosecute:
Dismissal with prejudice is an extreme sanction and should be used only in cases
of willful disobedience of a court order or . . . persistent failure to prosecute a
complaint. [The Court must consider] . . . whether in the particular circumstances
of the case, the needs of the court in advancing a crowded docket and preserving
respect for the integrity of its internal procedures are sufficient to justify the harsh
consequences of forever denying a litigant of his day in court. However, the
[Court] need not [find] that appellant acted in bad faith, only that he acted
intentionally as opposed to accidentally or involuntarily. Id.
Here, Defendants expended resources conducting discovery and preparing their respective
Motions for Summary Judgment. Plaintiff then intentionally chose not to respond to these
Motions even after being directed to do so by the Court in two separate instances. Plaintiff was
advised in five separate Court Orders that failure to respond would result in dismissal of his case.
Plaintiff has not communicated with the Court in any way after the Court granted him an extension
of time to respond to Defendants’ Motions for Summary Judgment.
II. CONCLUSION
For these reasons, it is recommended that, pursuant to Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, this case be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE based on Plaintiff’s intentional
failure to prosecute this case; his failure to obey the orders of the Court; and his failure to comply
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with Local Rule 5.5(c)(2).
The parties have fourteen (14) days from receipt of the Report and Recommendation
in which to file written objections pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The failure to file
timely objections may result in waiver of the right to appeal questions of fact. The parties
are reminded that objections must be both timely and specific to trigger de novo review by
the district court.
DATED this 2nd day of June 2023.
/s/
HON. MARK E. FORD
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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