Rhoades v. Jeffries

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS ROBERT BEN RHOADES, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) vs. ) Case No. 22-cv-1933-NJR ) ) ROB JEFFRIES and ) ANTHONY WILLS, ) ) Defendants. ) MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ROSENSTENGEL, Chief Judge: Plaintiff Robert Ben Rhoades, an inmate of the Illinois Department of Corrections (“IDOC”) who is currently incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center, brings this action for deprivations of his constitutional rights pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In the Complaint, Rhoades alleges he was subjected to moldy cells and showers.

This case is now before the Court for preliminary review of the Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Under Section 1915A, the Court is required to screen prisoner complaints to filter out non-meritorious claims. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). Any portion of a complaint that is legally frivolous, malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or asks for money damages from a defendant who by law is immune from such relief must be dismissed. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b).

The Complaint In his Complaint, Rhoades makes the following allegations: From November 11, 2021, until the present, Rhoades has been exposed to mold in his cell and cellhouse (Doc. 1, p. 11). While taking a shower in the west cellhouse, he noticed mold in the shower. When he returned to his cell, Cell 222, he looked in the air vent and saw mold in the “tunnel” of the vent (Id.). He is currently located in the north cellhouse and the shower walls are covered in plastic sheeting in order to hide the mold (Id.). One cellhouse at Menard was previously shut down due to issues with mold. Rhoades suffers from COPD and knows that mold is bad for his condition (Id.). Both Rob Jeffries and Anthony Wills denied his grievance regarding the mold (Id.).

Discussion Simply put, Rhoades fails to state a claim. He only alleges that Jeffries and Wills are liable because they signed off on his grievances and are in charge of IDOC, but that is not enough to be liable under Section 1983. Administrative officials cannot be held liable based solely on their positions as administrators as the doctrine of respondeat superior does not apply to Section 1983 actions. See Chavez v. Illinois State Police, 251 F.3d 612, 651 (2001).

Rhoades also has not alleged that Jeffries and Wills were personally aware of the mold and failed to take action. In fact, in response to the grievance, the grievance officials indicated that the showers were cleaned before inmates use the showers (Id. at p. 8).

Further, an individual cannot be held liable for simply denying the grievance. See Owens v. Evans, 878 F.3d 559, 563 (7th Cir. 2017). Thus, Rhoades fails to state a claim.

Pending Motions As to Rhoades’s motion for counsel (Doc. 3), he states that he has written several law firms. He also states his writing hand was injured in an accident and he only has partial use of the hand. But given the early stage of the litigation, it is difficult to accurately evaluate the need for the assistance of counsel. See Kadamovas v. Stevens, 706 F.3d 843, 845 (7th Cir. 2013) (“[U]ntil the defendants respond to the complaint, the plaintiff’s need for assistance of counsel ... cannot be gauged.”).1 Further, counsel is not needed at this time because the Court finds that Rhoades is capable of drafting an Amended Complaint. Although his writing may be hampered, his filings indicate that he is capable of writing legibly. Thus, his motion for counsel (Doc. 3) is DENIED. Rhoades may renew his request for counsel at a later date.

Disposition For the reasons stated above, the Complaint is DISMISSED without prejudice.

Rhoades will have an opportunity to file a First Amended Complaint if he wishes to pursue his claims. If he chooses to do so, Rhoades must comply with the instructions and deadlines set forth below.

Rhoades is GRANTED leave to file a “First Amended Complaint” on or before November 16, 2022. Should he fail to file his First Amended Complaint within the allotted time or consistent with the instructions set forth in this Order, the entire case shall be

1 In evaluating the motion for counsel, the Court applies the factors discussed in Pruitt v. Mote, 503 F.3d 647, 654 (7th Cir. 2007), and related authority. dismissed with prejudice for failure to comply with a court order and/or for failure to prosecute his claims. Fed. R. App. P. 41(b). See generally Ladien v. Astrachan, 128 F.3d 1051 (7th Cir. 1997); Johnson v. Kamminga, 34 F.3d 466 (7th Cir. 1994); 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2).

Such a dismissal could count as one of Rhoades’s three allotted “strikes” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Along with his current Complaint, Rhoades has filed several other cases pending before the Court. Should those cases be dismissed as frivolous, they could be counted towards his allotted “strikes” and prevent him from filing future cases without prepayment of fees.2 As such, the Court will allow Rhoades to either file a First Amended Complaint or seek to dismiss his original Complaint voluntarily by the stated deadline.

An amended complaint supersedes and replaces the original complaint, rendering the original complaint void. See Flannery v. Recording Indus. Ass’n of Am., 354 F.3d 632, 638 n. 1 (7th Cir. 2004). The Court will not accept piecemeal amendments to the original Complaint. Thus, if Rhoades chooses to file an amended pleading, the First Amended Complaint must stand on its own, without reference to any previous pleading, and Rhoades must re-file any exhibits he wishes the Court to consider along with the First Amended Complaint. The First Amended Complaint is subject to review pursuant to U.S.C. § 1915A. To aid Rhoades in drafting his First Amended Complaint, the Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to send Rhoades a Section 1983 Complaint form.

2 28 U.S.C. §1915(g) provides that “[i]n no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding under this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.”

Rhoades is further ADVISED that his obligation to pay the filing fee for this action was incurred at the time the action was filed, thus the filing fee remains due and payable, regardless of whether he elects to file a First Amended Complaint. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1); Lucien v. Jockisch, 133 F.3d 464, 467 (7th Cir. 1998). If Rhoades chooses to dismiss his case voluntarily, the Court will not collect the remaining filing fee.

Finally, Rhoades is ADVISED that he is under a continuing obligation to keep the Clerk of Court and each opposing party informed of any change in his address; the Court will not independently investigate his whereabouts. This shall be done in writing and not later than seven days after a transfer or other change in address occurs. Failure to comply with this Order will cause a delay in the transmission of court documents and may result in dismissal of this action for want of prosecution. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: October 19, 2022 (2 NANCY J. ROSENSTENGEL Chief U.S. District Judge