Maurice Coleman, Sr. v. Jeffery Newton, et al, No. 08-4010 (8th Cir. 2009)

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Court Description: Prisoner case - prisoner civil rights. District court did not err in dismissing plaintiff's complaint without prejudice after he failed to take steps to complete service.

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United States Court of Appeals FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT ___________ No. 08-4010 ___________ Maurice L. Coleman, Sr., Representatives for D-Unit, * * * Appellant, * * Robert F. Baker, * Representatives for D-Unit, * Appeal from the United States * District Court for the Plaintiff, * District of Nebraska. * v. * [UNPUBLISHED] * Jeffery Newton, Director of Douglas * County Corrections & Staff Leaders; * Rocca Forte, Lt.; Unknown Captain; * Unknown Lt. s; Unknown Sargeants, * * Appellees. * ___________ Submitted: October 19, 2009 Filed: October 22, 2009 ___________ Before BYE, BOWMAN, and BENTON, Circuit Judges. ___________ PER CURIAM. Maurice Coleman appeals the district court s1 order dismissing his 42 U.S.C. ยง 1983 complaint. We affirm. After Coleman filed his complaint, the district court issued an order explaining that summons forms would be sent to Coleman for completion, that he needed to return the completed forms so that the United States Marshal s Office could serve defendants, and that Coleman had 120 days to effectuate service. The court dismissed the complaint only after Coleman failed to provide the required forms as directed. Further, the dismissal was without prejudice. In these circumstances, we find no abuse of discretion. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b), 4(m); Lee v. Armontrout, 991 F.2d 487, 489 (8th Cir. 1993) (per curiam) (inmate proceeding IFP is still responsible for providing address for service on defendants); Smith v. Gold Dust Casino, 526 F.3d 402, 404-05 (8th Cir. 2008) (standard of review for Rule 41(b) dismissals); Bullock v. United States, 160 F.3d 441, 442 (8th Cir. 1998) (per curiam) (standard of review for Rule 4(m) dismissals). Accordingly, we affirm. ______________________________ 1 The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp, United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska. -2-

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