IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS EL DORADO DIVISION

SPENCER JAMERSON PLAINTIFF

v. Case No. 1:23-cv-01057

LEROY MARTIN DEFENDANT

ORDER

Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s failure to comply with orders of the Court and to prosecute this matter. Plaintiff, Spencer Jamerson, originally submitted this

action pro se, on June 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. ECF No. 1. The Eastern District transferred the case to this Court on June 14, 2023. ECF No. 3. On June 16, 2023, the Court entered an Order directing Plaintiff to file an application to proceed in forma paupris (“IFP”), as he failed to do so with his Complaint. ECF No. 7. The Court directed Plaintiff to respond with the completed IFP Application or pay the full filing fee by July 7, 2023.

On June 16, 2023, the Court also entered an Order directing Plaintiff to file an amended complaint by July 7, 2023. ECF No. 8. These Orders were not returned as undeliverable mail. Plaintiff failed to respond to either Order. ECF Nos. 7, 8. On August 1, 2023, the Court entered two Orders to Show Cause why Plaintiff failed to respond to the Court’s June 16, 2023 Orders. ECF Nos. 9, 10. These Orders to Show Cause were mailed to Plaintiff’s address of record at the Columbia County Detention Center, but both were returned as undeliverable mail on August 10, 2023. To date, Plaintiff has not provided the Court with his current mailing address or communicated with the Court in any way since the transfer of this case. 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,

(8th Cir. 1984). The Local Rules state in pertinent part: It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her address, to monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. . . . If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice. Any party proceeding pro se shall be expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Local Rule 5.5(c)(2). Additionally, 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.,

(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,

(8th Cir. 1986) (emphasis added). Plaintiff has wholly failed to prosecute this case and comply with the Court’s Orders. Therefore, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) and Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), the Court finds that this case should be dismissed. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Complaint (ECF No. 1) is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. IT IS SO ORDERED, this 16th day of October, 2023. /s/ Susan O. Hickey Susan O. Hickey Chief United States District Judge