RIDLEY v. BOARD OF SEDGWICK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LNU FNU (2019)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

Anthony Earl Ridley, proceeding pro se, appeals from the district court’s May 8, 2019 Order denying his “Motion for Partial Reconsideration.” The district court correctly construed this motion as seeking relief under Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b). This court reviews for abuse of discretion an order of the district court denying relief under Rule 60(b). Walters v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 703 F.3d 1167, 1172 (10th Cir. 2013). “Relief under Rule 60(b) ․ is extraordinary and may only be granted in exceptional circumstances.” Yapp v. Excel Corp., 186 F.3d 1222, 1231 (10th Cir. 1999) (quotation omitted).

Ridley’s frivolous appellate filings do not come close to demonstrating the kind of extraordinary circumstances necessary to obtain Rule 60(b) relief. Instead, as aptly noted by the district court, the relevant Motion was merely one of many such motions seeking to relitigate the case after the district court entered an order dismissing Ridley’s amended complaint. That being the case, Ridley has utterly failed to demonstrate the district court abused its discretion in denying the Motion. Accordingly, Ridley’s appeal is hereby DISMISSED. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). Our dismissal of Ridley’s appeal on the ground it is frivolous, when coupled with other strikes Ridley has accrued, means he is subject to the limitations on proceeding in forma pauperis set out in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). That is, absent a showing he is “under imminent danger of serious physical injury,” Ridley is precluded from bring a civil action or appeal in forma pauperis. In light of this court’s dismissal of Ridley’s appeal, his “Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction” is DENIED as moot.

Michael R. Murphy, Circuit Judge