James Durham v. Walmart, Incorporated ( 2019 )


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  •      Case: 18-11045    Document: 00515011128   Page: 1   Date Filed: 06/26/2019
    IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
    United States Court of Appeals
    Fifth Circuit
    No. 18-11045                       FILED
    June 26, 2019
    Lyle W. Cayce
    JAMES DURHAM,                                                       Clerk
    Plaintiff-Appellant
    v.
    WALMART, INCORPORATED,
    Defendant-Appellee
    ____________________
    JAMES DURHAM,
    Plaintiff-Appellant
    v.
    MACY’S, INCORPORATED,
    Defendant-Appellee
    Appeals from the United States District Court
    for the Northern District of Texas
    USDC No. 4:18-CV-368
    USDC No. 4:18-CV-372
    Case: 18-11045      Document: 00515011128         Page: 2    Date Filed: 06/26/2019
    No. 18-11045
    Before SOUTHWICK, HAYNES, and HO, Circuit Judges.
    PER CURIAM: *
    James Durham, whose Texas prisoner number is 02194861, moves for
    leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) to appeal the district court’s dismissal
    of his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaints. Durham’s IFP motion is a challenge to the
    district court’s certification that his appeal is not taken in good faith. See
    Baugh v. Taylor, 
    117 F.3d 197
    , 202 (5th Cir. 1997).
    According to Durham, the defendants brought false theft charges against
    him without evidence and used excessive force to detain him. To state a claim
    under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege that there was a violation of a right
    secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States and that the
    deprivation was committed by a person acting under the color of state law. See
    Sw. Bell Tel., LP v. City of Houston, 
    529 F.3d 257
    , 260 (5th Cir. 2008). In
    relevant part, the district court dismissed Durham’s complaints because the
    defendants were not acting under color of state law. Durham’s pleadings fail
    to show that he will present a nonfrivolous issue on appeal. See Howard v.
    King, 
    707 F.2d 215
    , 220 (5th Cir. 1983). Accordingly, we deny his motion for
    leave to proceed IFP and dismiss the appeal as frivolous. See 
    Baugh, 117 F.3d at 202
    n.24; 5TH CIR. R. 42.2. His motion for the appointment of counsel also
    is denied.
    The dismissal of this appeal counts as one strike under 28 U.S.C.
    § 1915(g). See Adepegba v. Hammons, 
    103 F.3d 383
    , 387-88 (5th Cir. 1996).
    Durham is cautioned that if he accumulates three strikes under § 1915(g), he
    will not be able to proceed IFP in any civil action or appeal filed while he is
    * 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.
    2
    Case: 18-11045    Document: 00515011128        Page: 3   Date Filed: 06/26/2019
    No. 18-11045
    incarcerated or detained in any facility unless he is under imminent danger of
    serious physical injury. See § 1915(g).
    MOTION FOR LEAVE TO PROCEED IFP DENIED; MOTION FOR
    APPOINTMENT          OF   COUNSEL             DENIED;   APPEAL       DISMISSED;
    SANCTION WARNING ISSUED.
    3