Delmas Sexton II v. State of Indiana: Allen County Public Defender's Office (mem. dec.) ( 2016 )


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  • MEMORANDUM DECISION
    Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
    Mar 16 2016, 8:21 am
    this Memorandum Decision shall not be
    regarded as precedent or cited before any
    court except for the purpose of establishing
    the defense of res judicata, collateral
    estoppel, or the law of the case.
    APPELLANT PRO SE                                         ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
    Delmas Sexton, II                                        ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC
    New Castle, Indiana                                      DEFENDER AND P. STEPHEN
    MILLER
    Casey B. Cox
    Micah J. Nichols
    Beers Mallers Backs & Salin, LLP
    Fort Wayne, Indiana
    ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
    ALLEN COUNTY POLICE
    DEPARTMENT, ET AL.
    John O. Feighner
    Andrew L. Teel
    Lindsey C. Swanson
    Haller & Colvin, P.C.
    Fort Wayne, Indiana
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016        Page 1 of 18
    Delmas Sexton, II,                                       March 16, 2016
    Appellant-Plaintiff,                                     Court of Appeals Case No.
    02A03-1504-CT-124
    v.                                               Appeal from the Allen Superior
    Court
    State of Indiana: Allen County                           The Honorable Terry C.
    Public Defender’s Office, P.                             Shewmaker, Special Judge.
    Stephen Miller as Deputy Public                          Trial Court Cause Nos.
    Defender of Allen County; Allen                          02D01-0712-CT-547
    County Police Department;                                02C01-1011-MI-2010
    Allen County Sheriff’s
    Department; Captain Ron Rayl,
    Allen County Sheriff’s
    Department; Kenneth C. Fries as
    the Sheriff of Allen County;
    Allen County Jail Confinement
    Sergeant Jones-Schild; Allen
    County Jail Confinement
    Corporal Poling; and Allen
    County Jail Confinement Officer
    C. Wall,
    Appellee-Defendants.
    Mathias, Judge.
    [1]   Delmas Sexton, II (“Sexton”), an inmate at the New Castle Correctional
    Facility, brought a civil action against the Allen County Public Defender and
    another civil action against the Allen County Police Department (collectively
    “the Allen County Defendants”) alleging civil rights violations based on a
    conspiracy in Allen Superior Court. Sexton appeals the trial court’s grant of
    summary judgment in favor of the the Allen County Defendants and dismissal
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 2 of 18
    of the cases with prejudice against him. Sexton raises numerous issues on
    appeal, which we restate and renumber as:
    I. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in striking Sexton’s
    response to the Allen County Defendants’ motion for summary
    judgment;
    II. Whether the trial court erred in granting the Allen County
    Defendants’ motion for summary judgment;
    III. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying Sexton’s
    motions for change of judge; and,
    IV. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in placing future filing
    restrictions on Sexton.
    [2]   We affirm.
    Facts and Procedural History
    [3]   On December 5, 2007, Sexton filed a complaint against the Allen County
    Public Defender (“public defender case”) alleging that he had been deprived of
    discovery materials and legal mail as part of a conspiracy to keep Sexton in
    prison and unable to represent himself. At the time, Sexton was incarcerated in
    the Allen County Jail on forgery charges, theft charges, and for being a habitual
    offender. On May 23, 2008, the State of Indiana dismissed these charges against
    Sexton.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 3 of 18
    [4]   On November 30, 2010, Sexton filed a complaint against the Allen County
    Police Department (“police department case”) alleging violations of the Indiana
    Constitution and the Indiana Public Records Act. After several years of Sexton
    filing voluminous motions, objections, and other documents, the Allen County
    Defendants filed a joint motion for summary judgment, designation of
    evidence, and memorandum in support on October 1, 2014.
    [5]   Sexton filed a response to the motion for summary judgment, designation of
    evidence, and memorandum of law with the prison librarian on October 31,
    2014. The CCS reflects that his response was filed on November 7, 2014, but
    was not received by the court until November 21, 2014. In his response, Sexton
    also filed a cross-motion for summary judgment in the police department case.
    [6]   Sexton submitted numerous affidavits that alleged a broad criminal conspiracy
    involving all levels of the Indiana judiciary, attorneys, and law enforcement
    officials. He also asserted in these affidavits that officials in the Allen County
    Public Defender’s Office and various attorneys and judges in Northern Indiana
    conspired to frame him for fraud and alter and destroy evidence in that case. He
    then submitted “affidavits of receipt” from several of the same individuals and
    others involved in both the public defender case and the police department case
    claiming that these individuals received large sums of money from an alleged
    Drug Trafficking Organization (“DTO”) to keep Sexton incarcerated and
    deprived of his rights. See e.g. Appellant’s App. p. 736. These affidavits also
    allege that these individuals received large sums of money for trafficking drugs
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 4 of 18
    and motorcycles, arranging murders, and disposing of dead bodies–all on behalf
    of the DTO.
    [7]   Sexton claims that the purpose of this conspiracy is to advance the DTO’s
    objectives of drug and motorcycle trafficking and to keep Sexton incarcerated.1
    According to Sexton, the DTO involves over 150 members, including attorneys,
    law enforcement officials, and judicial officers at the county, state, and federal
    level. Sexton alleges that the DTO makes “snuff” films2 starring state and
    federal judges. Specifically, Sexton alleges without support in any of the
    admissible designated evidence that Judge Shewmaker and U.S. District
    Court Judge Theresa Springman starred in a snuff film where Brookley Louks
    was murdered.
    [8]   On December 22, 2014, the Allen County Police Department filed a motion to
    strike Sexton’s cross-motion for summary judgment or alternatively a response
    to Sexton’s cross-motion for summary judgment. On January 6, 2015, the Allen
    County Defendants filed a joint-motion to strike Sexton’s response to
    defendant’s motion for summary judgment, supported by affidavits from the
    individuals denying that they signed and executed the “affidavits of receipt”
    that Sexton submitted in his response. The trial court held a hearing on all
    1
    Sexton is currently incarcerated for a murder conviction at the New Castle Correctional Facility, and his
    projected release date is 2042. See
    http://www.in.gov/apps/indcorrection/ofs/ofs?lname=sexton&fname=delmas&search1.x=0&search1.y=0.
    2
    A “snuff” film is a pornographic movie of an actual murder. See
    http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/snuff-film.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016          Page 5 of 18
    pending motions on January 12, 2015. At the hearing, Sexton specifically
    accused Special Judge Shewmaker of conspiring with Sexton to arrange the
    murder of U.S. Federal Judge Joan Lefkow and her family on behalf of the
    DTO. Tr. p. 9.
    [9]    After the hearing, on January 30, 2015, the Allen County Defendants filed two
    supplemental affidavits supporting the motion to strike Sexton’s response to
    defendants’ motion for summary judgment. In response, on February 18, 2015,
    Sexton filed a verified motion to strike defendants’ affidavits, verified objection
    to defendants’ motion to strike Sexton’s cross-motion for summary judgment,
    verified belated motions for change of judge in both the public defender case
    and the police department case, and a verified motion to permit testimony of
    witnesses at a summary judgment re-hearing in the public defender case.
    [10]   On March 6, 2015, the trial court issued an order in both the public defender
    case and the police department case disposing of all pending motions and
    granted summary judgment in favor of the Allen County Defendants. The court
    also struck Sexton’s response to the motion for summary judgment and
    designations of evidence as sham and false pleadings. Further, the trial court
    imposed future filing restrictions on Sexton due to his history as an abusive
    litigant.3 Sexton filed a notice of appeal in both cases. Sexton filed a motion to
    consolidate the appeals, which our court granted on August 18, 2015.
    3
    Sexton has had around fifty cases before our court and our supreme court.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 6 of 18
    I. Sexton’s Response and Designated Evidence
    [11]   Sexton argues that the trial court abused its discretion in striking Sexton’s
    response to the Allen County Defendants’ motion for summary judgment and
    designated evidence. “The trial court has broad discretion in ruling on the
    admissibility of evidence.” Kroger Co. v. Plonski, 
    930 N.E.2d 1
    , 5 (Ind. 2010)
    (quoting Price v. Freeland, 
    832 N.E.2d 1036
    , 1039 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005)). Also,
    “[t]his discretion extends to rulings on motions to strike affidavits on the
    grounds that they fail to comply with the summary judgment rules.” 
    Id.
    [12]   In his response to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment, Sexton
    submitted his own affidavit along with the affidavits of several other individuals
    allegedly involved in the conspiracy in his designated evidence. The trial court
    determined that Sexton’s response and designated evidence was untimely and
    therefore inadmissible. Under Indiana Trial Rule 56(C), “[a]n adverse party
    shall have thirty (30) days after service of the motion to serve a response and
    any opposing affidavits.”
    [13]   The Allen County Defendants filed their motion for summary judgment on
    October 1, 2014. The CCS reflects that Sexton filed his response on November
    7, 2014, and that the court received it on November 21, 2014. However, the
    prison librarian certified and signed the response on October 31, 2014. Sexton
    argues that his response was timely under the prison mailbox rule.
    [14]   Under the prison mailbox rule, the date a pro se prisoner delivers notice of
    appeal to prison authorities should be considered the date of filing as opposed
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 7 of 18
    to the date of receipt. Morales v. State, 
    19 N.E.3d 292
    , 296 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014).
    However, our supreme court in Dowell v. State, 
    922 N.E.2d 605
    , 609 (Ind. 2010),
    specifically noted that the timing for motions to correct error under the Indiana
    Trial Rules is different than for notices of appeal and that, if independently
    verifiable means like registered mail or third-party carrier are not used, filing of
    a motion to correct error occurs on the date the filing is in the hands of the
    clerk. 
    Id.
     Like a motion to correct error, a response to a summary judgment
    motion is governed by the Indiana Trial Rules. Because Sexton’s response was
    sent via regular mail and considered filed with the clerk on November 7, 2014,
    it is untimely, as the trial court determined.
    [15]   Even if Sexton’s response and designated evidence were timely, his claims are
    frivolous under Indiana Code section 34-58-1-2. The statute provides in relevant
    part:
    (a) A court shall review a complaint or petition filed by an
    offender and shall determine if the claim may proceed. A claim
    may not proceed if the court determines that the claim:
    (1) is frivolous;
    (2) is not a claim upon which relief may be granted; or
    (3) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune
    from liability for such relief.
    (b) A claim is frivolous under subsection (a)(1) if the claim:
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 8 of 18
    (1) is made primarily to harass a person; or
    (2) lacks an arguable basis either in:
    (A) law; or
    (B) fact.
    In Smith v. Wrigley, our court adopted the United States Supreme Court’s
    interpretation of factually frivolous claims as those “describing fantastic
    or delusional scenarios.” 
    908 N.E.2d 354
    , 358 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). For
    example, fantastic or delusional claims may include those involving
    “little green men, a recent trip to Pluto, or experiences in time travel.”
    See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 
    129 S.Ct. 1937
    , 1959 (2009). As such, a plaintiff’s
    claim should not be dismissed as frivolous “simply because the court
    finds the plaintiff’s allegations unlikely.” See Denton v. Hernandez, 504
    U.S.25, 33 (1992).
    [16]   Sexton’s complaints detail an elaborate conspiracy of civil rights violations
    against him. He alleges that over 150 county, state, and federal officials are
    members of the Drug Trafficking Organization. He claims that the DTO’s
    purpose is to traffic drugs and motorcycles and to make “snuff” films starring
    members of the judiciary. Sexton believes that members of the Allen County
    Public Defender and Allen County Police Department wanted to keep him
    incarcerated because of his prior involvement with the DTO. Sexton even
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 9 of 18
    accused Special Judge Shewmaker of paying him to facilitate the murder of
    Federal Judge Joan Lefkow and her family.
    [17]   All of the affidavits Sexton submitted in his designated evidence were
    handwritten in the same or similar handwriting. It is entirely unlikely that over
    ten different individuals would have the same handwriting or would submit
    handwritten documents, given the pervasiveness of computer technology in
    modern society. Further, the Allen County Defendants supported their motion
    to strike Sexton’s response to defendants’ motion for summary judgment with
    affidavits from these same individuals denying that they received money from
    the DTO or signed and executed “affidavits of receipt.” Even more, the
    signatures provided in Sexton’s “affidavits of receipt” do not match the
    signatures in the affidavits presented by Allen County Defendants.
    [18]   Although Sexton submitted his own affidavit detailing the conspiracy against
    him, his delusion is the only evidence that any of these events actually occurred.
    His self-serving affidavit was accompanied by patently false and forged
    affidavits that destroy his personal credibility. Moreover, his case has proceeded
    to the summary judgment stage of litigation, allowing him the opportunity to
    present evidence supporting his claims. See Smith, 
    908 N.E.2d at 359
    .
    [19]   In the case before us, Sexton’s claims are not just unlikely; his claims are
    outrageous. He alleges that over 150 officials are involved in an organization
    that traffics drugs and creates pornographic films, starring judges, where people
    are murdered. Sexton claims that these individuals are involved in a conspiracy
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 10 of 18
    to keep him incarcerated. Sexton also undoubtedly filed these complaints to
    harass Allen County officials, as he has filed twenty-seven complaints in Allen
    County since 2002. We have no difficulty concluding as a matter of law that
    Sexton’s claims are frivolous under Indiana Code Section 34-58-1-2.
    [20]   For all of these reasons, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in striking
    Sexton’s response to the Allen County Defendants’ motion for summary
    judgment.
    II. Summary Judgment
    [21]   Sexton also argues that the trial court erred in granting the Allen County
    Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Our standard of review of
    summary judgment appeals is well established:
    When reviewing a grant of summary judgment, our standard of
    review is the same as that of the trial court. Considering only
    those facts that the parties designated to the trial court, we must
    determine whether there is a genuine issue as to any material fact
    and whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter
    of law. In answering these questions, the reviewing court
    construes all factual inferences in the nonmoving party’s favor
    and resolves all doubts as to the existence of a material issue
    against the moving party. The moving party bears the burden of
    making a prima facie showing that there are no genuine issues of
    material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a
    matter of law. Once the movant satisfies the burden, the burden
    shifts to the nonmoving party to designate and produce evidence
    showing the existence of a genuine issue of material fact.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 11 of 18
    Likens v. Prickett’s Properties, Inc., 
    943 N.E.2d 816
    , 820 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011)
    (citations and internal quotations omitted). We will reverse if the law has been
    incorrectly applied to the facts. Woodruff v. Indiana Family and Social Services
    Admin., 
    964 N.E.2d 784
    , 790 (Ind. 2012). Otherwise, we will affirm a grant of
    summary judgment upon any theory supported by evidence in the record. Id
    (citing Wagner v. Yates, 
    912 N.E.2d 805
    , 811 (Ind. 2009)).
    [22]   After the trial court struck Sexton’s response and designated evidence as
    untimely and as a sham and false pleading, he was left with no evidence to
    carry his burden to defeat the Allen County Defendants’ motion for summary
    judgment. Therefore, the trial court properly granted summary judgment in
    favor of the Allen County Defendants.
    III. Belated Motion for Change of Judge
    [23]   Further, Sexton argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying
    Sexton’s belated motions for change of judge. He specifically claims that Judge
    Shewmaker has a bias against him because they participated in murder and
    drug deals together as members of the DTO.
    [24]   A motion for change of judge is governed by Indiana Trial Rule 76, which
    provides in relevant part:
    (B) In civil actions, where a change may be taken from the judge,
    such change shall be granted upon the filing of an unverified
    application or motion without specifically stating the ground
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 12 of 18
    therefor by a party or his attorney. Provided, however, a party
    shall be entitled to only one [1] change from the judge.
    *****
    (C) In any action except criminal no change of judge or change
    of venue from the county shall be granted except within the time
    herein provided. Any such application for change of judge (or
    change of venue) shall be filed not later than ten [10] days after
    the issues are first closed on the merits. Except:
    (6) if the moving party first obtains knowledge of the grounds for
    change of venue from the county or judge after the time above
    limited, he may file said application, which must be verified
    personally by the party himself, specifically alleging when the
    cause was first discovered, how discovered, the facts showing the
    grounds for a change, and why such cause could not have been
    discovered before by the exercise of due diligence. Any opposing
    party shall have the right to file counter-affidavits on such issue
    within ten [10] days, and the ruling of the court may be reviewed
    only for abuse of discretion.
    [25]   Under Indiana Trial Rule 76, a party is entitled to one change of judge. As the
    trial court noted in its order, Sexton has filed multiple motions for change of
    judge that were not within the time limitations required by the rule. If the
    motion is not within the time limitations, we review the trial court’s ruling on a
    motion for change of judge for an abuse of discretion. See Moore v. Liggins, 
    685 N.E.2d 57
    , 62 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997). An abuse of discretion occurs when the
    trial court’s decision is against the logic and effect of the facts and
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 13 of 18
    circumstances before it. Mann v. Russell’s Trailer Repair, Inc., 
    787 N.E.2d 922
    ,
    925 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).
    [26]   The law presumes that a judge is unbiased and unprejudiced in the matters that
    come before the judge. James v. State, 
    716 N.E.2d 935
    , 940 (Ind. 1999). Sexton
    claims that the trial court is biased against him because Judge Shewmaker
    helped Sexton facilitate the murder of Judge Joan Lefkow and her family in
    2004 and 2005. When Sexton made this statement at the January 12, 2015
    hearing, Judge Shewmaker responded, “That’s absolutely ridiculous.” Tr. p. 9.
    [27]   Sexton argues that Judge Shewmaker should have disqualified himself because
    of their prior relationship. However, the only evidence that Sexton presents that
    Judge Shewmaker is biased or prejudiced against him is based on Sexton’s
    grand delusion and unsupported by any credible, corroborating evidence.
    Therefore, we cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in denying
    Sexton’s belated motions for change of judge.
    IV. Future Filing Restrictions
    [28]   Finally, Sexton contends that the trial court abused its discretion by imposing
    future filing restrictions on him. He asserts that the record does not support that
    he is an abusive, prolific filer.
    [29]   There is no right to engage in abusive litigation, and the state has a legitimate
    interest in the preservation of valuable judicial and administrative resources.
    Zavodnik v. Harper, 
    17 N.E.3d 259
    , 264 (Ind. 2014). The Indiana General
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 14 of 18
    Assembly and our supreme court have given the courts of this state tools to deal
    with abusive litigation practices. 
    Id.
    [30]   First, Indiana Code section 34-52-1-1(b) (2008) allows a court in a civil action
    to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party if the court finds that the other
    party asserted a claim that was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless, or
    litigated an action in bad faith. 
    Id.
     Because the threat of monetary sanctions
    may do little to deter abusive litigants who are essentially judgment-proof, the
    Indiana General Assembly has also enacted procedures to prevent abusive civil
    litigation by criminal “offenders.” 
    Id.
     Indiana Code section 34-58-1-2 (2008)
    authorizes a court to review an offender’s claim and bar it from going forward if
    it is frivolous (that is, made primarily to harass or lacking an arguable basis in
    law or fact), is not a claim on which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary
    damages from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 
    Id.
    [31]   “The courts of this state, after due consideration of an abusive litigant’s entire
    history, may fashion and impose reasonable conditions and restrictions [],
    guided by those in statutes, rules and cases [], on the litigant’s ability to
    commence or continue actions in this state that are tailored to the litigant’s
    particular abusive practices.” Id. at 266; see also Sumbry v. Misc. Docket Sheet for
    Year 2003, 
    811 N.E.2d 457
     (Ind. Ct. App. 2014). A court may be justified in
    imposing restrictions such as the following:
    •   Require the litigant to accompany future pleadings with an affidavit
    certifying under penalty of perjury that the allegations are true to the best
    of the litigant’s knowledge, information, and belief;
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 15 of 18
    • Direct the litigant to attach to future complaints a list of all cases
    previously filed involving the same, similar, or related cause of action;
    • Direct that future pleadings will be stricken if they do not meet the
    requirements that a pleading must contain “a short and plain statement
    of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief” and that
    “[e]ach averment of a pleading shall be simple, concise, and direct.” T.R.
    8(A)(1) and (E)(1);
    • Require the litigant to state clearly and concisely at the beginning of a
    motion the relief requested;
    • Require the litigant to provide specific page citations to documents
    alleged by the litigant to support an argument or position;
    • Limit the litigant’s ability to request reconsideration and to file repetitive
    motions;
    • Limit the number of pages or words of pleadings, motions, and other
    filings;
    • Limit the length of the title that may be used for a filing;
    • Limit the amount or length of exhibits or attachments that may
    accompany a filing;
    • Instruct the clerk to reject without return for correction future filings that
    do not strictly comply with applicable rules of procedure and conditions
    ordered by the court.
    Zavodnik, 17 N.E.3d at 268-69 (citing Procup v. Strickland, 
    792 F.2d 1069
    ,
    1072-73 & 1073 n. 9 (11th Cir. 1986)).
    [32]   Sexton has filed voluminous, repetitive motions, objections, and other
    documents. He has repeatedly filed pleadings that the trial court advised Sexton
    are inadmissible, and many of his “supporting” documents are massive,
    disorganized, repetitive, defective, lacking in merit, and even illegible at times.
    Our own court has witnessed these same practices in the pleadings, motions,
    and supporting documents submitted in Sexton’s appeal. Furthermore, Sexton
    has litigated over fifty cases before our court and our supreme court and has
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 16 of 18
    filed approximately twenty-seven complaints in Allen County since 2002.
    Sexton’s tactics cause unnecessary confusion and burden to court staff and
    opposing parties.
    [33]   Here, the trial court imposed the following future filing restrictions on Sexton
    due to his history of abusive litigation practices:
    A) Petitioner is required to accompany future pleadings with an affidavit
    containing his original signature certifying under penalty of perjury that the
    allegations are true to the best of the Petitioner’s knowledge, information,
    and belief;
    B) Petitioner is required to attach to all future complaints a list of all cases
    previously filed involving the same, similar, or related causes of action;
    C) Petitioner is advised that future pleadings will be stricken and deemed
    unacceptable if they do not meet the requirements that a pleading must
    contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is
    entitled to relief" and that each averment of any pleading shall be concise,
    simple, and direct pursuant to Ind. Trial Rule 8(A)(1) and (E)(1);
    D) Petitioner is required to state clearly and concisely at the beginning of a
    motion the relief requested;
    E) Petitioner is required to provide specific page citations to documents
    alleged by the Petitioner to support an argument or position;
    F) Petitioner is limited to filing one (1) request for reconsideration and may
    not file any repetitive motions;
    G) Petitioner shall not present any filing in excess of five (5) pages, including
    pleadings, motions, and other filings;
    H) Petitioner is required to title any filing in a short and concise manner that
    incorporates not more than two (2) lines.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1504-CT-124 | March 16, 2016   Page 17 of 18
    I) Petitioner is limited to including exhibits and/or attachments that
    accompany any filing to five (5) pages in length;
    J) Petitioner is advised that the court has instructed the Clerk to reject
    without return for correction future filings that do not strictly comply with
    the applicable rules of procedure and the conditions herein ordered by the
    court.
    Appellant’s App. pp. 38-39.
    [34]   Based on Sexton’s litigation history, we conclude without hesitation that he is
    an abusive litigant. The restrictions the trial court imposed on Sexton are nearly
    identical to the restrictions that our supreme court approved of in Zavodnik. We
    conclude that the trial court properly imposed future filing restrictions on
    Sexton that protect his access to courts but also preserves valuable judicial and
    administrative resources.
    Conclusion
    [35]   The trial court properly struck Sexton’s response to Allen County Defendants’
    motion for summary judgment and did not err in granting summary judgment
    in favor of the Allen County Defendants. Further, the trial court did not abuse
    its discretion in denying Sexton’s motion for change of judge or by placing
    future filing restrictions on Sexton after determining that he is an abusive
    litigant.
    [36]   Affirmed.
    Kirsch, J., and Brown, J., concur.
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