Ruston v. Gonzales
Ruston v. Gonzales
Opinion
Lester Jon Ruston, federal prisoner # 26834-177, moves this court for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) on appeal following the dismissal without prejudice of his 28 U.S.C. § 2241 petition. Ruston’s motion is construed as a challenge to the district court’s determination that the appeal is not taken in good faith. See Baugh v. Taylor, 117 F.3d 197, 202 (5th Cir. 1997). This court’s inquiry into whether the appeal is taken in good faith “is limited to whether the appeal involves ‘legal points arguable on their merits (and therefore not frivolous).’ ” Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 220 (5th Cir. 1983) (citation omitted). If the appeal is frivolous, this court may dismiss it sua sponte under 5th Cir. R. 42.2. Baugh, 117 F.3d at 202 n. 24.
Ruston has not shown that the district court erred in dismissing his § 2241 petition without prejudice. Ruston is not entitled to habeas relief based on conclusional allegations that it is not possible to raise his claims in the pending criminal case due to fraud and judicial and prosecutorial misconduct. See Koch v. Puckett, 907 F.2d 524, 530 (5th Cir. 1990). Ruston’s request for IFP status is denied, and his appeal is dismissed as frivolous. See Baugh, 117 F.3d at 202 & n. 24; 5th Cir. R. 42.2. Ruston’s motions for production, for contempt of court, for judicial notice, and to disqualify the judges of this court are also denied.
IFP DENIED; MOTIONS DENIED; APPEAL DISMISSED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.