ELIZABETH A. WOLFORD, District Judge.
Plaintiff Anthony Romano ("Plaintiff") filed this action on August 31, 2016, alleging violations of his constitutional rights pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Dkt. 1). Plaintiff also submitted a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, (Dkt. 2), which the Court granted on September 13, 2016. (Dkt. 4).
On May 10, 2017, Defendant Judith Briem ("Defendant") filed a motion to revoke Plaintiff's in forma pauperis status and dismiss the complaint unless Plaintiff pays the filing fee. (Dkt. 14). Defendant argues that Plaintiff has had "at least three prior actions dismissed on the ground that they were frivolous, malicious, or failed to state a claim" prior to filing the instant action. (Dkt. 16). The Court ordered Plaintiff to file any response in opposition by June 1, 2017. (Dkt. 17). Plaintiff did not respond.
For the reasons stated below, Defendant's motion is granted, and Plaintiff's in forma pauperis status is revoked.
Plaintiff is incarcerated at the Five Points Correctional Facility, and, as a prisoner, is required to abide by the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Pursuant to § 1915(g),
Id. § 1915(g). Where a plaintiff is granted in forma pauperis status but has violated § 1915(g)'s so-called "three strikes rule," a court may revoke the plaintiff's in forma pauperis status. Judd v. Sec'y of Conn., No. 3:11cv879 (MRK), 2011 WL 7628681, at *2 (D. Conn. Dec. 9, 2011) (revoking the plaintiff's informa pauperis for violating the three strikes rule). "The district court may rely on the relevant docket sheets if they indicate with sufficient clarity that the prior suits were dismissed on the grounds that they were frivolous, malicious, or failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted." Harris v. City of N.Y, 607 F.3d 18, 23-24 (2d Cir. 2010); see, e.g., Mason v. Nitti-Richmond, No. 09 Civ. 7307(JGK), 2010 WL 2595108, at* 1 (S.D.N.Y. June 25, 2010) ("In the context of motions to revoke IFP status, district courts routinely take judicial notice of docket sheets in order to resolve the question of how many `strikes' the plaintiff may have for purposes of § 1915(g)."). "[T]he three strikes rule is not an affirmative defense that must be raised in the pleadings." Harris, 607 F.3d at 23.
Defendant asserts that Plaintiff had accrued three strikes prior to filing this action on August 31, 2016. (Dkt. 16 at 3). Plaintiff
Additionally, even under a liberal reading, the complaint does not suggest in any way that Plaintiff "is under imminent danger of serious physical harm" within the meaning of § 1915(g). (See Dkt. 1).
Because Plaintiff has received three strikes under § 1915(g), he does not qualify for in forma pauperis status, and his previously granted in forma pauperis status is hereby revoked. Plaintiff has until
For the forgoing reasons, Defendant's motion to revoke Plaintiff's in forma pauperis status (Dkt. 14) is granted.
Plaintiff has until
SO ORDERED.