Hunter v. Cockrell

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS April 22, 2003 FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 02-41667 Conference Calendar JOHNNY AL HUNTER, Plaintiff-Appellant, versus JANIE COCKRELL, DIRECTOR, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, INSTITUTIONAL DIVISION; VICTOR RODRIGUEZ, Director, Parole Division; ANN KELLY, Hearing Officer; PATRICK S. BRIDGES, Parole Officer, Defendants-Appellees. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas USDC No. 9:02-CV-259 -------------------- Before DAVIS, BARKSDALE, and STEWART, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Johnny Al Hunter, Texas prisoner #609870, appeals from the dismissal of his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims as frivolous. Hunter challenged his parole revocation proceeding in a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. The district court dismissed the 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims pursuant to Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994), because the result of the revocation proceeding has not been invalidated. * 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 R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.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. 02-41667 -2- Hunter does not brief whether the district court erred by dismissing his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims pursuant to Heck, the sole dispositive ground for the dismissal of those claims. See Brinkmann v. Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Abner, 813 F.2d 744, 748 (5th Cir. 1987). We therefore do not address the contentions Hunter does raise on appeal. Hunter’s appeal is without arguable merit and is frivolous. See Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 220 (5th Cir. 1983). The district court’s dismissal of Hunter’s action and this court’s dismissal of his appeal but count as “strikes” against Hunter for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 387-88 (5th Cir. 1996). Hunter previously had a civil action dismissed for failure to state a claim, another “strike” for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Hunter v. Cockrell, No. C- 02-77 (S.D. Tex. Jul. 16, 2002). Because Hunter has accumulated three “strikes,” he may not proceed in forma pauperis in any civil action or appeal unless he “is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). APPEAL DISMISSED AS FRIVOLOUS; 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) SANCTION IMPOSED.