Daniel David Fletcher v. Karas Correctional Health Services (KCH), Medical Care...
Daniel David Fletcher v. Karas Correctional Health Services (KCH), Medical Care...
Trial Court Opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION
DANIEL DAVID FLETCHER PLAINTIFF
v. Civil No. 5:24-cv-5088-TLB-CDC
KARAS CORRECTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES (KCH), Medical Care Provider, Washington County Detention Center (WCDC); SHERIFF JAY CANTRELL, Washington County, Arkansas; DUSTIN SANDERS, KCH Paramedic; JOHN KARAS, KCH; KELLEY HINLEY, KCH; JORDAN PREVENAS, KCH Paramedic; STEPHANIE LEWIE, KCH; and JAKE SMOTHER, KCH Paramedic DEFENDANTS
MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION Plaintiff Daniel D. Fletcher filed this civil rights action under
42 U.S.C. § 1983, contending that he was denied adequate medical care while incarcerated at the Washington County Detention Center. Pursuant to the provisions of
28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and (3), the Honorable Timothy L. Brooks, Chief United States District Judge, referred this case to the undersigned for the purpose of making this Report and Recommendation. The case is before the Court on Plaintiff’s failure to obey multiple orders of the Court. I. DISCUSSION On August 14, 2025, Plaintiff filed a Notice of Change of Address (ECF No. 49) indicating that he had been released from custody. Accordingly, the Court entered an Order (ECF No. 50) directing him to either pay the balance of his filing fee in this matter or to resubmit an in forma pauperis application by September 10, 2025. Plaintiff never responded to this Order, so on September 12, 2025, the Court entered an Order (ECF No. 52) directing Plaintiff to show cause by October 3, 2025 as to why he failed to obey the Court’s Order, and warning that if he failed to respond by this deadline then “this case shall be subject to dismissal.” Plaintiff never responded to this show-cause Order. On September 16, 2025, a Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 53) was jointly filed by some of
the Defendants in this case. The Court entered an Order (ECF No. 55) directing Plaintiff to file a response to the Motion to Dismiss by October 14, 2025, and warning that “failure to timely and properly comply with this Order shall result in the dismissal of this action, without prejudice, pursuant to Local Rule 5.5(c)(2).” Plaintiff never filed any response to the Motion to Dismiss. Both of the aforementioned deadlines have passed, and Plaintiff has not sought any extension of them. The Court’s mailings to Plaintiff of the Orders imposing these deadlines have not been returned as undeliverable. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure specifically contemplate dismissal of a case on the ground that the plaintiff failed to prosecute or failed to comply with an order of the court. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); Line v. Wabash R.R. Co.,
370 U.S. 626, 630-31(1962) (stating that 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 appearing pro se to monitor the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. II. CONCLUSION Accordingly, it is recommended that this case be DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE pursuant to Rule 41(b), based on Plaintiff’s failure to prosecute this case, his failure to obey the orders of the Court, and his failure to comply with Local Rule 5.5(c)(2). Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b). The parties have fourteen 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 20th day of October 2025. /s/ Christy Comstock HON. CHRISTY COMSTOCK UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Daniel David Fletcher v. Karas Correctional Health Services (KCH), Medical Care Provider, Washington County Detention Center (WCDC); Sheriff Jay Cantrell, Washington County, Arkansas; Dustin Sanders, KCH Paramedic; John Karas, KCH; Kelley Hinley, KCH; Jordan Prevenas, KCH Paramedic; Stephanie Lewie, KCH; and Jake Smother, KCH Paramedic
- Status
- Unknown