Opinion
Civil Action No. 18-364E
01-08-2019
WAYNE PETTAWAY, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL CLARK, et al, Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter
Plaintiff's motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [ECF No. 6] will be denied in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) and this case shall be closed until such time as Plaintiff pays the full filing fee of $400.00.
There is a filing fee of $350.00 and an administrative fee of $50.00. However, the $50.00 administrative fee does not apply to persons granted in forma pauperis status under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. If in forma pauperis status is denied, the plaintiff will be required to pay $400. Thus, Plaintiff will be required to pay the full $400.00 if he wishes to proceed with this matter.
Plaintiff Wayne Pettaway, currently incarcerated within the State Correctional System of Pennsylvania, presented this civil complaint against Superintendent Michael Clark and Ms. White. In his complaint, Plaintiff makes a vague allegation regarding the delivery of his legal mail and faults Superintendent Clark, Ms. White, the inspector of mail, and Officer Mitegney, who delivered his mail. Plaintiff now seeks leave to prosecute in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. ECF No. 6.
Section 804(g) of Pub.L. No. 104-134, enacted April 26, 1996, amended 28 U.S.C. § 1915 to provide:
[i]n no events shall a prisoner bring a civil action ... under this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in the court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.28 U.S.C. §1915(g).
Plaintiff has been a prolific filer in this federal court. At least three of Plaintiff's prior lawsuits have been dismissed as legally frivolous or for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted: Pettaway v. SCI Albion, C.A. No. 11-158Erie; Pettaway v. SCI Albion, C.A. No. 12-1396 (Third Circuit); Pettaway v. State of Pennsylvania, C.A. No. 13-1551Pittsburgh; Pettaway v. District Attorney Zappala, C.A. No. 15-1431Pittsburgh; Pettaway v. Overton, C.A. No. 13-213Erie; and Pettaway v. Overton, C.A. No. 15-2156 (Third Circuit).
An indigent inmate may overcome the "Three Strikes Rule" if he can show that he is under "imminent danger of serious physical injury." Abdul-Akbar v. McKelvie, 239 F.3d 307 (3d Cir. 2001) (interpreting imminent danger). See also Brooks-Bey v. Schmerfelt, 2011 WL 1398472, at *3 (M.D. Pa. March 21, 2011). There are no factual allegations in Plaintiff's self-titled "writ of mandamus" that indicate that Plaintiff is in any imminent danger.
It is a plaintiff's burden to prove entitlement to in forma pauperis status. Robert v. Walls, 2011 WL 1599652, at *1 (W.D. Pa. March 14, 2011) citing White v. Gregory, 87 F.3d 429, 430 (10th Cir. 1996). --------
Because of these prior dismissals, and because Plaintiff has not alleged that he is in imminent danger of serious physical injury, Plaintiff's motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [ECF No. 6] will be denied in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) and this case shall be closed until such time as Plaintiff pays the full filing fee of $400.00. In accordance with Brown v. Sage, 903 F.3d 300, 307 (3d Cir. Sept.7, 2018), Plaintiff's complaint will remain lodged.
An appropriate Order follows.