The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
DEWEY AUSTIN BARNETT, II, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
vs. ) Case No. 4:26-cv-00734-MTS
)
TRACY BROWN, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on review of Plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to
Proceed in Forma Pauperis. Doc. [2]. Plaintiff currently is a “prisoner” as that term
is defined under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(h). Because he previously filed at least three
actions while a prisoner that the Court later dismissed as frivolous, malicious, or
because they failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted,1 Plaintiff
cannot proceed with his instant action unless he prepays the entire $405 filing fee. 28
U.S.C. § 1915(g); see also Gonzalez v. United States, 23 F.4th 788, 789 (8th Cir.),
cert. denied, 142 S. Ct. 2837 (2022) (“After three strikes, a litigant loses the right to
sue without prepaying the filing fee.”).2
1 See Barnett v. Fox, 4:25-cv-0307-SPM, ECF No. 3 (E.D. Mo. May 13, 2025); Barnett v.
Fox, 4:25-cv-1206-JSD, ECF No. 4 (E.D. Mo. Aug. 27, 2025); Barnett v. Hill, 1:25-cv-
0167-JMB, ECF No. 5 (E.D. Mo. Oct. 8, 2025). See also Barnett v. Stacey, 4:26-cv-
0088-RHH, ECF No. 10 (E.D. Mo. Mar. 16, 2026) (noting Plaintiff has three strikes).
2 Plaintiff’s Complaint does not, in any way, show he is under imminent danger of
serious physical injury. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in
Forma Pauperis, Doc. [2], is DENIED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, no later than Monday, June 08, 2026,
Plaintiff shall prepay the entire filing fee of $405 in full. If Plaintiff fails to do so, the
Court will dismiss this action without prejudice and without further notice.
Dated this 18th day of May 2026. CC
ul
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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