Mitchell v. Garrett
Mitchell v. Garrett
Opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 00-10688 Conference Calendar
TONY RAY MITCHELL,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
versus
GERALD GARRETT, Chairman TBPP; CRAIG HINES, Hearing Officer - TBPP; NICKI WEAVER, Parole Officer - TBPP,
Defendants-Appellees.
-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas USDC No. 4:00-CV-40-Y -------------------- April 10, 2001
Before JOLLY, HIGGINBOTHAM, and JONES, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Tony Ray Mitchell, a Texas prisoner (# 488816), appeals the
district court’s dismissal of his
42 U.S.C. § 1983civil rights
action as frivolous pursuant to
28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). For at
least the third time, Mitchell has filed a
42 U.S.C. § 1983suit
against the captioned defendants, arguing that, during parole-
revocation proceedings, the defendants violated his
constitutional right to the enforcement of a state-court order
dismissing criminal charges 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 00-10688 -2-
Although res judicata is normally an affirmative defense
that must be raised by a defendant, see In re Southmark Corp.,
163 F.3d 925, 934 n.12 (5th Cir.), cert. denied,
527 U.S. 1004(1999), we may raise the res judicata issue sua sponte, in order
to the affirm the district court, when the record provides an
adequate basis for such result. See Russell v. SunAmerica Sec.,
Inc.,
962 F.2d 1169, 1172(5th Cir. 1992). Because Mitchell in
prior complaints has raised the instant claims against the
captioned defendants and has had final judgments entered against
him, his claims are barred as res judicata. See Travelers Ins.
Co. v. St. Jude Hosp. Of Kenner, La., Inc.,
37 F.3d 193, 195(5th
Cir. 1994).
His claims are in any event meritless. Mitchell is
effectively challenging the revocation of his parole. Because he
has not shown that the parole revocation decision itself has been
reversed, expunged, declared invalid, or called into question by
a federal court’s issuance of a writ of habeas corpus, Mitchell’s
claim is not cognizable under
42 U.S.C. § 1983and must be
dismissed. See Heck v. Humphrey,
512 U.S. 477, 486-87(1994).
Mitchell’s appeal is without arguable merit and is thus
frivolous. See Howard v. King,
707 F.2d 215, 219-20(5th Cir.
1983). Accordingly, Mitchell’s appeal is DISMISSED. See 5TH CIR.
R. 42.2. Mitchell is advised that the district court’s dismissal
of this action and this court’s dismissal of this appeal both
count as “strikes” pursuant to
28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Adepegba
v. Hammons,
103 F.3d 383, 388(5th Cir. 1996). Recently, in
Mitchell v. Bowman, No. 00-10687 (5th Cir. Feb. 14, 2001) No. 00-10688 -3-
(unpublished), Mitchell was advised that he had already
accumulated three strikes and that he was barred from proceeding
in forma pauperis in any civil action or appeal while he is
incarcerated or detained in any facility unless he is under
imminent danger of serious physical injury. See
28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). The current appeal was filed before the three-strikes
bar was imposed against Mitchell, but he is hereby again warned
of the consequences of filing another in forma pauperis action
while he is incarcerated.
Mitchell’s “Emergency Motion Requesting . . . the Court to
Take: Judicial Notice” is DENIED.
APPEAL DISMISSED;
28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) BAR IMPOSED.
Reference
- Status
- Unpublished