RUTLEDGE v. DIXON et al

1
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
GAINESVILLE DIVISION
TROY D. RUTLEDGE,
Plaintiff,
v. 	Case No. 1:25cv228/MCR/ZCB
RICKY DIXON, et al.,
Defendants.
/
ORDER
Plaintiff is an inmate of the Florida Department of Corrections
(FDOC) proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis (IFP) in this civil rights
action. 	(Docs. 17, 13). 	On May 22, 2026, Plaintiff filed a motion
requesting that the Court arrange service of process because of his
indigent status. (Doc. 18).
Plaintiff’s motion will be denied as premature because the Court is
still in the process of screening his amended complaint (Doc. 17), as
required by 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B), 1915A(a)-(b). After its screening
duties 	are 	complete, 	the 	Court 	will 	determine 	whether 	service,
amendment, or dismissal of Plaintiff’s amended complaint is appropriate.
Plaintiff is advised, however, that should his amended complaint survive
screening, officers of the Court will effect service on Defendants. 	See 28
Case 1:25-cv-00228-MCR-ZCB Document 19 Filed 05/22/26 Page 1 of 2

2
U.S.C. § 1915(d) (“The officers of the court shall issue and serve all
process, and perform all duties in [IFP] cases.”). Thus, Plaintiff need not
file a motion requesting appointment of a process server if the Court
deems service appropriate.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion requesting
service (Doc. 18) is DENIED.
DONE AND ORDERED this 22nd day of May 2026.
/s/ Zachary C. Bolitho
Zachary C. Bolitho
United States Magistrate Judge
Case 1:25-cv-00228-MCR-ZCB Document 19 Filed 05/22/26 Page 2 of 2