Decker v. Chickasha City Police Department
Decker v. Chickasha City Police Department
Trial Court Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
ISAAC JOHN EARL DECKER, SR., ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) Case No. CIV-24-905-SLP ) CHICKASHA CITY POLICE ) DEPARTMENT, et al., ) ) Defendants. )
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION Plaintiff Isaac John Earl Decker, Sr., a pre-trial detainee, brought this action pursuant to
42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging violations of his constitutional rights due to wrongful arrest. Doc. 1. United States District Judge Scott L. Palk referred the matter to the undersigned Magistrate Judge for proposed findings and recommendations consistent with
28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B)-(C). For the reasons set forth below, the undersigned recommends that the Court dismiss the Complaint without prejudice. I. Background and Discussion When Plaintiff filed his Complaint, he neither paid the required filing fee nor moved for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). On September 19, 2024, the Court ordered Plaintiff to cure this deficiency not later than October 10, 2024, and warned Plaintiff that “[f]ailure to comply with this Order may result in the dismissal of this action.” Doc. 4. The Clerk of Court mailed the Court’s Order to Plaintiff at his last known address. The Clerk of Court had also previously mailed a Notice of Change of Address form to Plaintiff at his last known address. A review of the case docket indicates that, as of this date, Plaintiff has failed to comply with the Court’s Order, as he has neither paid the filing fee nor filed an IFP motion. Nor has Plaintiff attempted to show good cause for his failure to comply with the Court’s Order or requested an extension of time in which to comply.
The docket further reflects that, on October 7, 2024, the postal service returned as undeliverable the Court’s Order from September 19, 2024. A review of the docket reveals that, as of this date, Plaintiff has not notified the Court of a new address. Plaintiff is responsible for notifying the Court of any change of address, LCvR5.4(a), and “[p]apers sent by the court will be deemed delivered if sent to the last known address given to the
court.” Id.; accord Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b)(2)(C); see also Theede v. U.S. Dep’t of Labor,
172 F.3d 1262, 1267(10th Cir. 1999) (“The parties . . . bear the burden of filing notice of a change of address [and] [t]he fact that [plaintiff] is acting pro se does not eliminate this burden.”). A court may dismiss an action if the plaintiff “fails to prosecute or to comply with
[the rules of civil procedure] or a court order.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b); see Link v. Wabash R.R. Co.,
370 U.S. 626, 630-31(1962) (interpreting Rule 41(b) to permit courts to dismiss actions sua sponte). Failure to comply with court orders leaves a court unable “to achieve the orderly and expeditious disposition of cases.” Link,
370 U.S. at 631. Plaintiff’s failure to comply with the Court’s order and rules, combined with the Court’s inherent power to
manage judicial resources, warrants dismissal of this action without prejudice. See Ellis v. Diggins, No. 24-1204,
2024 WL 4450600(10th Cir. Oct. 9, 2024) (finding no abuse of discretion when a district court dismissed a case without prejudice pursuant to Rule 41(b) when plaintiff failed to comply with court’s order to cure IFP motion). II. Recommendation and Notice of Right to Object For the foregoing reasons, the undersigned recommends that the Court DISMISS the Complaint without prejudice. The parties are advised of their right to object to this Report and Recommendation. See
28 U.S.C. § 636. Any objection must be filed with the Clerk of this Court by November 1, 2024. See
28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2). Failure to object timely to this Report and Recommendation waives the right to appellate review of the factual and legal issues addressed in this Report and Recommendation. See Moore v. United States,
950 F.2d 656, 659(10th Cir. 1991). This Report and Recommendation disposes of all issues referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge in this matter. ENTERED this 11" day of October, 2024. (iw tip CHRIS M. se Nf UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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