Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_09-cv-01069/USCOURTS-casd-3_09-cv-01069-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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K:\COMMON\EVERYONE\_EFILE-PROSE\POR\09cv1069-Substitute.wpd, 11209 -1- 09cv1069

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEPHEN ANTHONY SEXTON, Civil No. 09cv1069-L (POR)

Petitioner,

ORDER SUA SPONTE 

SUBSTITUTING RESPONDENTS 

vs.

MATTHEW CATE, Secretary,

Respondent.

On May 14, 2009, Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis,

filed a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, naming Derral G.

Adams, the Warden of the institution where Petitioner was confined at that time as Respondent.

Petitioner has now filed a notice of change of address indicating he has been transferred to

another institution. (Doc. No. 11.)

Because Petitioner’s place of confinement has changed, the Warden of his previous place

of confinement is no longer a proper Respondent to this action. A writ of habeas corpus acts

upon the custodian of the state prisoner. See 28 U.S.C. § 2242; Rule 2(a), 28 U.S.C. foll.

§ 2254. In order to conform with the requirements of Rule 2(a) of the Rules Governing § 2254

Cases and to avoid changing the Respondent again if Petitioner is transferred to another prison

or paroled, the Court hereby sua sponte ORDERS the substitution of Matthew Cate, Secretary

of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as Respondent. See OrtizCase 3:09-cv-01069-W-POR Document 12 Filed 11/20/09 Page 1 of 2
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Sandoval v. Gomez, 81 F.3d 891, 894 (9th Cir. 1996) (stating that the respondent in § 2254

proceedings may be the chief officer in charge of state penal institutions). 

The Clerk of the Court shall modify the docket to reflect “Matthew Cate, Secretary” as

Respondent in place of “Derral G. Adams, Warden.”

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: November 20, 2009

LOUISA S PORTER

United States Magistrate Judge

CC: ALL PARTIES

Case 3:09-cv-01069-W-POR Document 12 Filed 11/20/09 Page 2 of 2