THOMPSON v. PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF PROBATION AND PAROLE (2019)

OPINION *

Lynne Thompson appeals the District Court's order dismissing her complaint. For the reasons below, we will summarily affirm the District Court's order.

Thompson has multiple convictions for theft. Several of these convictions have been the grounds for revocations of parole and probation. In her complaint, Thompson asserted that she was wrongfully arrested on March 8, 2017 and detained pursuant to a detainer by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. She believed that her criminal sentences should have “maxed out” and she should have been released on August 25, 2017. She also complained of a detainer placed on her on May 17, 2018. Thompson requested damages for the alleged wrongful incarceration.

A Magistrate Judge recommended that the complaint be dismissed for failure to state a claim because Thompson's claims were barred by Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994). The District Court adopted the Report and Recommendation and dismissed the complaint. Thompson filed a timely notice of appeal.

We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Our review of the dismissal of the complaint for failure to state a claim is plenary. See Tourscher v. McCullough, 184 F.3d 236, 240 (3d Cir. 1999). In Heck, the Supreme Court held that a state prisoner's claim for damages is not cognizable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 if it calls into question the lawfulness of her conviction or confinement, unless she can demonstrate that the conviction or sentence has already been invalidated. 512 U.S.at 486–87. We have extended the rule in Heck to parole revocations. See Williams v. Consovoy, 453 F.3d 173, 177 (3d Cir. 2006).

Here, Thompson complains of detention beginning on March 8, 2017. According to paperwork Thompson submitted to the District Court, she received a notice of a revocation hearing based on two new criminal convictions. The notice indicated that Thompson was arrested on March 8, 2017 and July 14, 2017, on charges of theft by deception and was later convicted of these charges on April 30, 2018, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County.¹ Thompson has not alleged that the convictions or revocations underlying the detention she challenges have been invalidated. As a result, her claims are barred by Heck, and the District Court did not err in dismissing her complaint for failure to state a claim.

Summary action is appropriate if there is no substantial question presented in the appeal. See 3d Cir. LAR 27.4. For the reasons set forth above, we will summarily affirm the District Court's order. See 3d Cir. I.O.P. 10.6.

FOOTNOTES

1.   According to the electronic docket available online, Thompson pleaded guilty. She was sentenced to five years of probation.

PER CURIAM