Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00337/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00337-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 540
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Mandamus and Other
Cause of Action: 28:2241fd Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federal)

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18-cv-0337-WQH-KSC

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

WILLIE JONES, JR.,

Plaintiff,

v.

ROBERT O. GARCIA, JR.,

Defendant.

Case No.: 18-cv-0337-WQH-KSC

ORDER

HAYES, Judge:

On February 12, 2018, Petitioner Willie Jones, Jr. filed a Petition for a Writ of 

Habeas Corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (ECF No. 1) (the “Petition”). On April 4, 2018, 

the United States filed a Response and Motion to Dismiss the Petition. (ECF No. 8). 

On June 23, 2016, Jones was indicted on three counts of transportation of aliens in 

violation of 8 U.S.C. 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii). United States v. Jones, 16-cr-1448-WQH, ECF 

No. 13. On November 8, 2017, a jury found Jones guilty of all three counts. United States 

v. Jones, 16-cr-1448-WQH, ECF No. 123. On February 27, 2018, this Court sentenced 

Jones to twenty-one months in custody and three years of supervised release. United States 

v. Jones, 16-cr-1448-WQH, ECF No. 163. On March 2, 2018, Jones filed an Amended

Notice of Appeal “to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from this 

Court’s judgment (entered on February 28, 2018), the jury’s verdict (entered on November 

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18-cv-0337-WQH-KSC

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8, 2017), and the sentence that this Court imposed on February 27, 2018.” United States 

v. Jones, 16-cr-1448-WQH, ECF No. 167. 

The Petition brought under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 challenges “[t]he validity of [Jones’s] 

conviction or sentence as imposed.” (ECF No. 1 at 2). However, “[i]n general, [28 U.S.C.] 

§ 2255 provides the exclusive procedural mechanism by which a federal prisoner may test 

the legality of detention.” Lorentsen v. Hood, 223 F.3d 950, 953 (9th Cir. 2000). The 

Court will construe the Petition as a petition for habeas corpus under § 2255 because the 

Petition challenges “[t]he validity of [Jones’s] conviction or sentence as imposed.” (ECF 

No. 1 at 2).

The Court of Appeals has instructed district courts to refrain from hearing a petition 

brought under § 2255 until after petitioner has exhausted his right to direct appellate 

review. United States v. LaFromboise, 427 F.3d 680, 686 n.9 (9th Cir. 2005), amended, 

No. 03-35853, 2005 WL 3312694 (9th Cir. Dec. 8, 2005). Jones’s appeal of his judgment, 

verdict, and sentence is currently pending before the Court of Appeals. See United States 

v. Jones, 16-cr-1448-WQH, ECF No. 167. Accordingly, the Court declines to consider the 

Petition at this time. 

The Motion to Dismiss the Petition (ECF No. 8) is GRANTED. The Petition (ECF 

No. 1) is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 

Dated: April 12, 2018

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