Flota v. Grayson County Jail

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS SHERMAN DIVISION AARON FLOTA § § VS. § CIVIL ACTION NO. 4:25cv1039 § GRAYSON COUNTY JAIL § MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER Pro se Plaintiff Aaron Flota filed a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The action was assigned to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge in accordance with the Standing Order Assigning Prisoner Civil Rights Cases Filed in the Sherman Division to a Magistrate Judge. (Dkt. #2). Plaintiff consented to have the undersigned conduct all proceedings. (Dkt. #4). Mail that was sent to Plaintiff was returned and marked “RTS [return to sender] – Not Here – Released 12/22/25.” (Dkt. ##13, 15). It is Plaintiff’s responsibility to notify the Clerk of Court of his new address. See Loc. R. CV-11(d). Because Plaintiff has not updated his address with the court, he has failed to prosecute his case. The exercise of the power to dismiss for failure to prosecute is committed to the sound discretion of the court; appellate review is only for abuse of that discretion. Green v. Forney Eng’g Co., 589 F.2d 243, 247 (5th Cir. 1979); Lopez v. Aransas Cnty. ISD, 570 F.2d 541, 544 (5th Cir. 1978). Not only may a district court dismiss for want of prosecution upon motion of a defendant, but it may also dismiss an action sua sponte when necessary to achieve the orderly and expeditious disposition of a case. Link v. Wabash R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 629–31 (1962); Anthony v. Marion Cnty. Gen. Hosp., 617 F.2d 1164, 1167 (5th Cir. 1980). In this case, Plaintiff’s failure to submit an updated mailing address evinces his failure to prosecute his case. See Johnson v. Dir., TDCJ- CID, No. 6:20CV081, 2023 WL 2396910, at *1 (E.D. Tex. Feb. 3, 2023), report and recommendation adopted, No. 6:20CV081, 2023 WL 2390667 (E.D. Tex. Mar. 6, 2023); Montgomery v. Keal, No. CIV.A.1:05-CV-5, 2009 WL 1408512, at *2 (E.D. Tex. May 19, 2009). Therefore, the case should be dismissed for failure to prosecute. It is accordingly ORDERED that the case is DISMISSED without prejudice. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b). Any pending motions are denied as moot.