134 F3d 382 Johnson v. Uphoff G

134 F.3d 382

98 CJ C.A.R. 698

Kenneth B. JOHNSON, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
Judy UPHOFF, individually, and in her official capacity as
Wyoming Department of Corrections Director; James Ferguson,
individually, and in his official capacity as Wyoming
Department of Corrections State Penitentiary Warden;
William Hettgar, individually, and in his official capacity
as Wyoming Department of Corrections State Penitentiary
Assistant Warden; Billy Kline, individually, and in his
official capacity as Wyoming Department of Corrections State
Penitentiary Security Manager; Jerry Steele, individually,
and in his official capacity as Wyoming Department of
Corrections State Penitentiary Medium Security Unit Manager;
Ronald G. Ruettgers, individually, and in his official
capacity as Wyoming Department of Corrections State
Penitentiary Compliance/Audit Officer; David Ebell,
individually, and in his official capacity as Corrections
Officer, Wyoming Department of Corrections State
Penitentiary; Mike Pacheco, individually, and in his
official capacity as Corrections Officer, Wyoming Department
of Corrections State Penitentiary; Janell Thayer,
individually, and in her official capacity as Wyoming
Department of Corrections State Penitentiary Counselor,
Defendants-Appellees.

No. 97-8007

United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.

Feb. 3, 1998.

NOTICE: Although citation of unpublished opinions remains unfavored, unpublished opinions may now be cited if the opinion has persuasive value on a material issue, and a copy is attached to the citing document or, if cited in oral argument, copies are furnished to the Court and all parties. See General Order of November 29, 1993, suspending 10th Cir. Rule 36.3 until December 31, 1995, or further order.

Before PORFILIO, KELLY, and HENRY, Circuit Judges.

1

ORDER AND JUDGMENT*

2

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

3

Plaintiff appeals the district court's dismissal of his civil rights complaint, filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The district court dismissed the complaint as frivolous and for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. We review the dismissal for an abuse of discretion, see McWilliams v. Colorado, 121 F.3d 573, 574-75 (10th Cir.1997), and we affirm.

4

Plaintiff was charged with introduction of contraband in a prison disciplinary proceeding. The disciplinary committee held a hearing and found plaintiff guilty of the offense. Plaintiff appealed, and the Warden upheld the committee's decision. Plaintiff then filed this § 1983 action, arguing that his due process rights were violated in the disciplinary proceeding in several regards. The district court thoroughly analyzed plaintiff's claims and dismissed them as frivolous and for failing to state a claim.

5

We have reviewed the record, and we AFFIRM the district court's Order Dismissing Civil Rights Complaint for substantially the same reasons set forth therein. This appeal is frivolous and counts as a "prior occasion" for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). The mandate shall issue forthwith.

*

This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3