Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-4_19-cv-00714/USCOURTS-ared-4_19-cv-00714-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

CENTRAL DIVISION 

MICHAEL ANTHONY NEWCOMB PETITIONER 

v. NO. 4:19-cv-00714 BSM/PSH 

LUCAS EMBERTON, RANDAY CHURCHES, RESPONDENTS 

ETHAN WARD, and BREEZY MERIOTT 

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION 

INSTRUCTIONS 

 The following proposed Recommendation has been sent to United 

States District Judge Brian S. Miller. You may file written objections to all 

or part of this Recommendation. If you do so, those objections must: (1) 

specifically explain the factual and/or legal basis for your objection, and 

(2) be received by the Clerk of this Court within fourteen (14) days of this 

Recommendation. By not objecting, you may waive the right to appeal 

questions of fact. 

Case 4:19-cv-00714-BSM Document 7 Filed 02/14/20 Page 1 of 4
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DISPOSITION 

 Petitioner Michael Anthony Newcomb (“Newcomb”) began this case 

on October 11, 2019, by filing a pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus 

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2255. In the petition, he maintained that he was 

arrested without probable cause and should be immediately released from 

the custody of Van Buren County officials. He accompanied his petition 

with a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. The undersigned reviewed the 

motion and found that he has the means to pay the filing fee. The motion 

was denied in an Order dated October 29, 2019, and Newcomb was given 

until November 27, 2019, to pay the filing fee. He was cautioned that in 

the event he failed to pay the filing fee by November 27, 2019, the 

undersigned would recommend that this case be dismissed without 

prejudice. He was also notified of his responsibility to comply with the 

Local Rules for the Eastern District of Arkansas, specifically, Local Rule 

5.5(c)(2). That sub-paragraph provides, in part, the following: 

It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to 

promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties to the 

proceedings of any change in his or her address, to monitor the 

progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action 

diligently. ... If any communication from the Court to a pro se 

plaintiff is not responded to within thirty (30) days, the case 

may be dismissed without prejudice. ... 

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The October 29, 2019, Order was sent in an envelope by regular mail 

to Newcomb at the address he provided the Clerk upon filing the petition 

at bar, i.e., Van Buren County Jail, P.O. Box 451, Clinton, Arkansas 72031. 

The envelope could not be delivered to Newcomb at the address he 

provided. The envelope was returned to the Clerk marked “RETURN TO 

SENDER, REFUSED, UNABLE TO FORWARD” and was entered on the docket 

on November 19, 2019. See Docket Entry 4. 

On January 6, 2020, Newcomb was given thirty days to file a notice 

of his current address and pay the filing fee. He was cautioned that in the 

event he failed to do so within thirty days, the undersigned would 

recommend that this case be dismissed without prejudice. 

The January 6, 2020, Order was sent in an envelope by regular mail 

to Newcomb at the Van Buren County Jail address. The envelope could not 

be delivered to Newcomb at that address. The envelope was returned to 

the Clerk marked “RTS, NOT HERE” and was entered on the docket on 

January 14, 2020. See Docket Entry 6. 

 Thirty days from January 6, 2020, has come and gone, and Newcomb 

has not provided his current address and has not paid the filing fee. Given 

his failure to do so, it is recommended that this case be dismissed without 

prejudice. Judgment should be entered for the respondents. 

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 IT IS SO RECOMMENDED this 14th day of February, 2020. 

 __________________________________ 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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