Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00734/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00734-1/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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18cv0734 LAB (BGS)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSE LUIS VALDEZ,

Petitioner,

v.

RALPH DIAZ, Secretary, et al.,

Respondents.

Case No.: 18cv0734 LAB (BGS)

ORDER SUA SPONTE 

SUBSTITUTING RESPONDENT

On April 13, 2018, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 

28 U.S.C. § 2254. (ECF No. 1.) At the time of filing, Petitioner was apparently housed 

at Centinela State Prison and thus named Raymond Madden, Warden, as Respondent. 

Based on the notice of change of address Petitioner submitted to the Court on February 7, 

2020, it appears Petitioner is no longer housed at Centinela State Prison; rather, it appears 

he is presently incarcerated at Chuckawlla Valley State Prison in Blythe, California.

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. Because Petitioner’s place of custody 

has changed, so has his custodian. Accordingly, 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 Ralph Diaz, Secretary of the California 

Case 3:18-cv-00734-LAB-BGS Document 16 Filed 02/19/20 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 2
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18cv0734 LAB (BGS)

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Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as Respondent in place of “Raymond 

Madden.” See Ortiz-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 “Ralph Diaz, 

Secretary” as respondent in place of “Raymond Madden.”

Dated: February 19, 2020

Case 3:18-cv-00734-LAB-BGS Document 16 Filed 02/19/20 PageID.<pageID> Page 2 of 2