Franco v. Santamas
Opinion of the Court
Ernesto Franco, a pro se federal prisoner, appeals a district court judgment dismissing his civil rights complaint filed pursuant to Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388, 91 S.Ct. 1999, 29 L.Ed.2d 619 (1971). This case has been referred to a panel of the court pursuant to Rule 34(j)(l). Rules of the Sixth Circuit. Upon examination, this panel unanimously agrees that oral argument is not needed. Fed. R.App. P. 34(a).
Franco sued his case manager at the prison seeking to have his classification as an “alien” removed from his prison files so that he would be eligible for placement in a prison camp. The district court dismissed the complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. A timely motion for reconsideration under Fed.R.Civ.P. 59 was also denied by the district court.
On appeal, Franco argues that he has exhausted his available administrative remedies and that the district court should have addressed the merits of his claim. He asserts that his classification as an “alien” violates prison policy and his constitutional rights.
The district court’s judgment is reviewed de novo. See McGore v. Wrigglesworth, 114 F.3d 601, 604 (6th Cir. 1997). Initially, we note that although the complaint was filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, because Franco sued a federal employee, the complaint is construed as being filed under Bivens. See Wagner v. Metro. Nashville Airport Auth., 772 F.2d 227, 230 (6th Cir. 1985).
Franco apparently feels that the district court did not understand that he had exhausted his available administrative remedies. However, the district court explicitly notes on page two of its opinion that Franco had exhausted his available administrative remedies. Therefore, Franco’s argument that the district court did not understand that he had exhausted his administrative remedies is without merit.
The complaint was properly dismissed as Franco could prove no set of facts that would entitle him to relief. See Mayer v.
Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s judgment. Rule 34(j)(2)(C), Rules of the Sixth Circuit.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Ernesto FRANCO v. A. SANTAMAS
- Status
- Published