The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
SHREVEPORT DIVISION
CHRISTOPHER BROWN CIVIL ACTION NO. 24-1522
SECTION P
VS.
JUDGE S. MAURICE HICKS, JR.
ROBERT CHAVIS, ET AL. MAG. JUDGE KAYLA D. MCCLUSKY
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Plaintiff Christopher Brown, who proceeds pro se and in forma pauperis, filed this
proceeding on approximately November 1, 2024, under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. For reasons that
follow, the Court should dismiss Plaintiff's claims against the remaining defendants, Warden
Robert Chavis,1 Lieutenant Bowen, and Ms. Molly.2
Background
On January 8, 2025, the Court ordered Plaintiff to, within thirty days, give the Clerk of
Court two (2) completed summonses and one (1) completed USM-285 form for each remaining
defendant for service. [doc. # 10]. Plaintiff did not comply with the Court’s Order.
On April 1, 2025, the Court advised Plaintiff of its intent to dismiss the defendants for
whom Plaintiff failed to return the required service documents if Plaintiff did not show good
cause. [doc. # 15].
To date, Plaintiff has not returned any service documents or otherwise attempted to
1 Plaintiff also refers to Warden Chavis as Captain Chavis. [doc. #s 1, p. 5; 8, p. 2].
2 This matter has been referred to the undersigned for review, report, and recommendation under
28 U.S.C. § 636, and the standing orders of the Court.
comply with the Court’s Order.
Law and Analysis
A district court may dismiss an action based on a plaintiff’s failure to prosecute or
comply with a court order. FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b). A court possesses the inherent authority to
dismiss the action sua sponte on this basis. Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630-31
(1962). “The power to invoke this sanction is necessary to prevent undue delays in the
disposition of pending cases and to avoid congestion in the calendars of the [d]istrict [c]ourts.”
Id.
Here, Plaintiff has failed to comply with the Court’s Order, and he has not attempted to
show good cause.
Conclusion
For the reasons above, IT IS RECOMMENDED that Plaintiff Christopher Brown’s
remaining claims against the remaining defendants be DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
Under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and Rule 72(b), parties aggrieved by
this recommendation have fourteen (14) days from service of this Report and Recommendation
to file specific, written objections with the Clerk of Court. A party may respond to another
party’s objections within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of any objections or
response to the district judge at the time of filing.
Failure to file written objections to the proposed factual findings and/or the
proposed legal conclusions reflected in this Report and Recommendation within fourteen
(14) days following the date of its service, or within the time frame authorized by Fed. R.
Civ. P. 6(b), shall bar an aggrieved party from attacking either the factual findings or the
legal conclusions accepted by the District Court, except upon grounds of plain error. See
Douglass v. United Services Automobile Association, 79 F.3d 1415 (5th Cir. 1996).
In Chambers, Monroe, Louisiana, this 27" day of May, 2025.
Cy Me Clusty
Kayla Live McClusky
United States Magistrate Judge