VanNess v. Bennett

                 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                         FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

                          __________________

                             No. 96-20064
                           Summary Calendar
                          __________________


SAMUEL CHARLES VANNESS, IV,

                                       Plaintiff-Appellant,

versus

JAMES BENNETT,

                                       Defendant-Appellee.



                        - - - - - - - - - -
           Appeal from the United States District Court
                for the Southern District of Texas
                       USDC No. CA-H-94-4061
                        - - - - - - - - - -
                          August 28, 1996
Before JOLLY, JONES and STEWART, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

     Samuel Charles VanNess, IV, # 725945, appeals from the

dismissal of his civil rights suit for failure to effectuate

proper service.    For the first time on appeal, VanNess contends

that his failure to effect service was due to the failures of the

U.S. Marshal and court clerk to perform the duties required of

them.    This alleged error, involving questions of fact, does not



     *
        Pursuant to Local Rule 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that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent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 Local Rule
47.5.4.
                          No. 96-20064
                               -2-

rise to the level of plain error.   See Robertson v. Plano City of

Texas, 70 F.3d 21, 23 (5th Cir. 1995).

     VanNess's appeal is frivolous and is DISMISSED.    Howard v.

King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir. 1983); see 5th Cir. R. 42.2.

We caution appellant that any additional frivolous appeals filed

by him will invite the imposition of sanctions.    To avoid

sanctions, appellant is further cautioned to review any pending

appeals to ensure that they do not raise arguments that are

frivolous because they have been previously decided by this

court.

     APPEAL DISMISSED; SANCTIONS WARNING ISSUED.