IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
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No. 01-50647
Summary Calender
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ANTHONY D. JONES, Plaintiff - Appellant,
versus
STARTRAN/ATU LOCAL 1091; KENT MCCULLOUGH;
GERALD ROBOSHAW; CHERRY WALKER; GLEN
WHENNINGTON; INTERNATIONAL UNION OFFICE,
Defendants - Appellees.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
A-01-CV-336-JN
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May 13, 2002
Before DAVIS, BENAVIDES, and STEWART, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Anthony D. Jones (“Jones”) appeals the district court’s dismissal of his Title VII claim against
Startran, ATU Local 1091 (“ATU”), Kent McCullough, Gerald Roboshaw, Cherry Walker, Glen
Whennington, and the International Union Office (collectively the “Appellees”). For the reasons
stated below, we affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
*
Pursuant to CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not
precedent except under the limited circumstance set forth in 5th CIR. R. 47.5.4.
Jones, who is African-American, claims that he was racially discriminated against by his
employer, Startran, in violation of Title VII. As a result of this alleged discrimination, Jones contends
that he was forced t o resign. His claim arises from the administration of drug tests on Jones by
Startran. When drug tests are given by St artarn, a Custody and Control form is filled out by the
employee. The form contains basic identifying information about the employee to be tested, the
reason for the test, where the results are to be sent, and requires the employee to sign a statement
certifying that the employee has not adulterated the sample in any way and that it was properly sealed
and labeled in the employee’s presence. Jones asserts that he provided Startran with blood samples
for drug screenings, and that someone else’s “bad blood” was switched with his sample, which
resulted in him testing positive for drugs. Jones also contended that the Appellees forged the
information written on one of Jones’s Custody and Control forms.
Shortly after his resignation, Jones filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and received a right to sue letter on May 18, 2001. Jones filed
a complaint against the appellees alleging Title VII violations, a Motion to Proceed In forma
Pauperis, and a Motion for Appointment of Counsel. The case was referred to a magistrate judge.
On June 19, 2001, the judge issued a Report and Recommendation granting the Motion to Proceed
In forma Pauperis, dismissing the suit as frivolous and failing to state a claim upon which relief may
be granted pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e), and denying the Motion for Appointment of Counsel
as moot. The district court adopted the magistrate judge’s recommendation, and this appeal
followed.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
A district court’s ruling to dismiss a claim as frivolous under § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i) is reviewed
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under an abuse of discretion. Ruiz v. United States, 160 F.3d 273, 275 (5th Cir. 1998) (citing Siglar
v. Hightower, 112 F.3d 191, 193 (5th Cir.1997)). However, a dismissal pursuant to Ҥ
1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) for failure to state a claim is reviewed under the same de novo standard as
dismissals under . . . [Rule]12(b)(6) [of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure]. Id. (citing Black v.
Warren, 134 F.3d 732, 733-34 (5th Cir. 1998).
DISCUSSION
The district court must evaluate the merits of a plaintiff’s claim when determining whether
his request for appointment of counsel should be granted. Gonzalez v. Carlin, 907 F.2d 573, 580 (5th
Cir. 1990). If the court at any time believes that the action is frivolous or fails to state a claim, it must
dismiss the case. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(ii). Jones’s Title VII complaint stems from
Startran’s administration of three drug tests. As for the first test, Jones contends that his blood was
switched with someone else’s “bad blood,” causing the results of the test to be positive. Jones has
not presented any evidence supporting his contention. With regard to the second test, Jones argues
that the information written on the Custody and Control form was forged by the Appellees,
specifically his name, a phoney social security number, a fake date of birth. 1 Lastly, Jones states that
on October 25, 2000, he underwent an annual physical drug test. The next morning, when he arrived
at work, Jones alleges that a “young lady” who worked in dispatch asked him to sign something,
which he describes as “told me to come sign my life away.” At this time, Jones refused and asked to
be placed on sick leave. The woman wrote him up for refusing to take a drug test. Jones’s claim
1
The magistrate judge found that the evidence presented by Jones established that someone
may have forged his name, that the social security number on the document was fake, and that the
date of birth stated on the document was also phoney. However, it properly determined that this fact
alone cannot form the basis of a Title VII claim.
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against ATU arises from its alleged failure to represent him apparently in the EEOC charge filed by
Jones.
When a plaintiff claims that he was terminated because of his race, to establish a prima facie
case under Title VII, he must demonstrate, that he (1) is a member of a protected class, (2) was
qualified for the position, (3) was terminated, and (4) was replaced by someone outside of the
protected class. St. Mary's Honor Ctr. v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 506 (1993). Although Jones has
submitted evidence that he is a member of a protected class, African-American, he has not presented
any evidence supporting the other three elements of his Title VII claim. Further, Jones has sued
entities and individuals other than Startran under Title VII. It is well-settled that Title VII only
protects an employee from discrimination by an “employer.” Indest v. Freeman Decorating, Inc., 164
F.3d 258, 262 & n.4 (5th Cir. 1999). Based on the facts of this case and the evidence presented by
Jones, we find that he has not alleged a viable Title VII cause of action. Therefore, we affirm the
district court’s ruling to dismiss this case as frivolous and failing to state a claim for review pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Because Jones’s case was appropriately dismissed, the denial of his Motion for
Appointment of Counsel in also affirmed as moot.
CONCLUSION
For the reason stated herein, we affirm.
AFFIRM.
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