Brian M. Webb v. Lawrence County Housing Authority, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania adopted a magistrate judge’s Report and Recommendation and dismissed Brian M. Webb’s civil claims without prejudice. The court applied Heck v. Humphrey and the Prison Litigation Reform Act, concluding that the claims were frivolous, malicious, or failed to state a claim because a favorable judgment would necessarily call into question the validity of Webb’s convictions.

Holdings

1. When no objections are filed, and the court finds no clear error on the face of the record, the court may adopt the magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation.
2. Claims seeking relief that would necessarily call into question the validity of prior convictions or imprisonment must be dismissed without prejudice unless the convictions or sentences have already been invalidated through an authorized procedure.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should adopt the magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation when no objections were filed and no clear error appeared on the face of the record.
2. Whether Webb's civil claims were barred by Heck v. Humphrey because success on the claims would necessarily imply the invalidity of his prior convictions or imprisonment.
3. Whether the complaint should be dismissed under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) as frivolous, malicious, or failing to state a claim.

Disposition

dismissed