ELMORE v. GAINEY

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
MATTHEW ROBERT ELMORE, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. 25-2247 (UNA)
)
JAMES GAINEY, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on review of plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma
pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The Court GRANTS the application and, for the reasons
stated below, DISMISSES the complaint and this civil action without prejudice.
The Court has reviewed plaintiff’s complaint, keeping in mind that complaints filed by pro
se litigants are held to less stringent standards than are applied to formal pleadings drafted by
lawyers. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). Even pro se litigants must comply with
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F. Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C. 1987). Rule
8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain a short and plain
statement of the grounds upon which the Court’s jurisdiction depends, a short and plain statement
of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief
the pleader seeks. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). The purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give
fair notice to the defendants of the claim being asserted such that they might prepare a responsive
answer and an adequate defense and determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown
v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
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According to plaintiff, defendant “beat [plaintiff] and robbed [plaintiff’s] house in
[H]artsville[,] South Carolina,” Compl. at 3, and plaintiff demands the return of money and
property, see id. at 4. In addition, plaintiff alleged, defendant “chip[p]ed [him] with dog
trackers,” id., and “sprayed” him with a substance “to cover stab wounds + gun shots wounds,”
id.
This complaint offers nothing more than vague and conclusory assertions which fail to
articulate a viable legal claim against the sole defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, see
id. at 2. As drafted, the complaint fails to meet the minimum pleading standard set forth in Rule
8, and it will be dismissed. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued
separately.
DATE: January 2, 2026 /s/
ANA C. REYES
United States District Judge
Case 1:25-cv-02247-UNA Document 3 Filed 01/02/26 Page 2 of 2