Rochon v. State of Louisiana

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 00-30816 Conference Calendar RAYMOND ROCHON, Plaintiff-Appellant, versus STATE OF LOUISIANA, Defendant-Appellee. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana USDC No. 00-CV-565 -------------------- February 13, 2001 Before SMITH, BARKSDALE, and EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Raymond Rochon, Louisiana prisoner # 93625, filed an in forma pauperis (IFP) civil complaint alleging that the Louisiana rape statute under which he was convicted is unconstitutional. Because Rochon did not seek his release from incarceration, the district court construed this pleading as a civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The district court concluded that Rochon’s civil rights complaint was barred by Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 489 (1994), and dismissed the complaint as frivolous under 28 U.S.C. * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. No. 00-30816 -2- § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). This was not an abuse of the district court’s discretion. Talib v. Gilley, 138 F.3d 211, 213 (5th Cir. 1998). Rochon's appeal is without arguable merit and is frivolous. See Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir. 1983). Because the appeal is frivolous, it is DISMISSED. See 5th Cir. R. 42.2. Rochon’s motion for appointment of counsel is DENIED. Rochon has at least two verified strikes against him. Rochon v. Cain, No. 96-31241 (5th Cir. Dec. 10, 1997) (unpublished). Rochon has acquired another two strikes as a result of this frivolous complaint and frivolous appeal. Rochon may no longer proceed IFP in any civil action or appeal filed while he is in prison unless he is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g); Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 388 (5th Cir. 1996). APPEAL DISMISSED; MOTION DENIED; 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) BAR IMPOSED.