William Custis v. Exmore Police Department - Civil Rights Appeal

4th Circuit Daily Opinions

Filed March 3rd, 2026

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a civil rights action filed by William Parke Custis against the Exmore Police Department and other defendants. The dismissal was based on the plaintiff's failure to comply with court orders to submit a particularized complaint.

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What changed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, in an unpublished per curiam opinion, affirmed the district court's dismissal of William Parke Custis's 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. The dismissal was without prejudice, stemming from the plaintiff's failure to comply with the court's order to submit a second, more particularized complaint. The court found no reversible error in the district court's decision.

This ruling means the plaintiff's case, as presented, is closed by the appellate court. As an unpublished opinion, it does not set binding precedent. Regulated entities, particularly law enforcement agencies, should note that while this specific case is resolved, the underlying principles of complying with court orders in civil rights actions remain critical. No further action is required from compliance officers based on this specific ruling, other than awareness of the procedural requirements in such litigation.

Source document (simplified)

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF AP PEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 25 - 6397 WILLIAM PARKE CU STIS, Plaintiff - Appellant, v. EXMORE PO LICE DEPA RTMENT; ADAM ZIEGER, Captain E xmore PD; JONATHAN GONZALEZ, Serg eant Exmo re PD; SPENCER MORGAN; REVELL LEWI S, III; ROGE R KENNEDY, NCSO Cap tain; RASM USSEN, NCSO SGT; FURNESS, NCSO SGT; QUINCY, N CSO SGT; SH ERRY, NCSO SGT; KANE, NCSO Deput y; ROSA, N CSO Deputy; LATIFA SA VAGE, Medi ko Nurse; DR. OFOGH, Med iko; EASTERN SHORE REGIO NAL JAIL; NORTHAMPT ON COUNTY SHERIFF; T OWN OF EXMO RE; NORTHAMPTO N COUNTY; MEDIKO; DR. JOHN DO E, Mediko; SGT. J OHN DOE, NCSO; J OHN DOE 1; JOHN DOE 2; SGT. JOHN DOE, NCSO; CPL. DUFFMAN, N CSO, Defendants - Appellees. Appeal from the United S tates District Court for the Eastern D istrict of Virginia, at Richmond. David J. Novak, Distric t Judge. (3:24 - cv - 00142 - DJN -MRC) Submitted: Febr uary 26, 2026 Decided: March 3, 2026 Before NIEMEYER and QUATTLEBAU M, Circuit Judges, an d FLOYD, Senior Circuit Judge. Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.

2 William Parke Custis, Appellant Pro Se. Unpublished opinions are not binding p recedent in this circuit.

3 PER CURIAM: William Parke Custis appeals th e district court’s order dismissin g without prejudice his 42 U.S. C. § 1983 action for failure to comply with the court’s order to submit a second particularized complaint. We have review ed the record and discern no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s order. Custis v. Exmore Police Dep ’t, N o. 3:24 - cv - 00142 - D JN -MRC (E.D. Va. Apr. 16, 2025). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the d ecisional process. AFFIRMED