Aranda v. Key

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Aranda v. Key

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 00-10849 Conference Calendar

ROQUE T. ARANDA,

Plaintiff-Appellant,

versus

JON KEY, Gaines County Sheriff; RICKY B. SMITH, District Attorney; GARY L. JOHNSON, DIRECTOR, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, INSTITUTIONAL DIVISION; BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES,

Defendants-Appellees.

-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas USDC No. 5:00-CV-198-C -------------------- February 14, 2001

Before SMITH, BARKSDALE, and EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

Roque T. Aranda, Texas prisoner # 805045, appeals the

dismissal of his

42 U.S.C. § 1983

complaint in which he alleged

that his sentence had been improperly enhanced by the use of

unauthenticated prior conviction records and that the Texas Board

of Pardons and Paroles was improperly using those prior

conviction records against him.

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. No. 00-10849 -2-

Aranda’s claim that his sentence was improperly enhanced is

not cognizable because neither his conviction nor his sentence

has been invalidated. See Heck v. Humphrey,

512 U.S. 477, 487

(1994).

Aranda’s claim against the Texas Board of Pardons and

Paroles is also without merit. Since, in Texas, it is entirely

speculative whether an inmate will actually obtain parole, there

is no constitutional expectancy of parole. Madison v. Parker,

104 F.3d 765, 768

(5th Cir. 1997). Because Aranda cannot show

the violation of a clearly established constitutional right to

parole, his

42 U.S.C. § 1983

claim must fail. See West v.

Atkins,

487 U.S. 42, 48

(U.S. 1988).

Aranda’s appeal is without arguable merit. See Howard v.

King,

707 F.2d 215, 220

(5th Cir. 1983). It is DISMISSED. See

5th Cir. R. 42.2.

The three-strikes provision of

28 U.S.C. § 1915

(g)

“prohibits a prisoner from proceeding IFP if he has had three

actions or appeals dismissed for frivolousness, maliciousness, or

failure to state a claim.” Carson v. Johnson,

112 F.3d 818, 819

(5th Cir. 1997) (citing Adepegba v. Hammons,

103 F.3d 383, 385

(5th Cir. 1996)). Aranda has previously had at least one strike

against him. Aranda v. Millsaps, No. 99-11394 (5th Cir. Aug. 29,

2000). Aranda has acquired another two strikes as a result of

this frivolous complaint and appeal. See Adepegba,

103 F. 3d at 386-88

. Additionally, Aranda today accumulates two more strikes

in another appeal before this court. Aranda v. Shaw, No. 00-

10844. He now has at least five strikes. Accordingly, Aranda No. 00-10849 -3-

may no longer proceed IFP in any civil action or appeal filed

while he is in prison unless he is under imminent danger of

serious physical injury. See

28 U.S.C. § 1915

(g).

APPEAL DISMISSED; ALL OUTSTANDING MOTIONS DENIED;

28 U.S.C. § 1915

(g) BAR IMPOSED.

Reference

Status
Unpublished