Source: http://pa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20080514_0000539.MPA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-10-23 16:18:50
Document Index: 199134832

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2241', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2241', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2241', '§ 2241', '§ 2255']

| Reynolds v. Bledsoe
Reynolds v. Bledsoe
MICHAEL CURTIS REYNOLDS, PETITIONERv.BLEDSOE, WARDEN, RESPONDENT
This pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C.§ 2241 was filed by Michael Curtis Reynolds ("Petitioner"), an inmate presently confined in the United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania ("USP-Lewisburg"). Reynolds has not paid the required filing fee and his petition is not accompanied by a request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. For the reasons set forth below, Petitioner's action will be dismissed as meritless.
Named as sole Respondent is Warden Bledsoe, presumably of USPLewisburg. The petition challenges the legality of Petitioner's federal criminal conviction which occurred in this district. See United States v. Reynolds, Case No. 3:05-CR-493 (Kosik, J.). Reynolds argues that he is entitled to federal habeas corpus relief because: (1) he was subjected to a false arrest; (2) evidence obtained in an illegal search was used against him; (3) his speedy trial rights were violated, (4) a perjured affidavit of probable cause was used "on all warrants"; (5) abuse of discretion and bias by the trial court; (6) he was subjected to a vindictive prosecution; and (7) the trial court lacked proper venue. See Record document no. 1, p. 2. As relief, Reynolds seeks reversal of his federal criminal charges and his immediate release.
The usual avenues for federal prisoners seeking to challenge the validity of a federal court conviction or sentence is via direct appeal or through submission of a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 in the sentencing court. In re Dorsainvil, 119 F.3d 245, 249 (3d Cir. 1997). According to the docket of his criminal case, Reynolds has filed a direct appeal which is presently pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Specifically, in an Order dated November 26, 2007, which denied a § 2255 petition filed by Reynolds as being as premature, Judge Kosik noted that Petitioner had a direct appeal pending before the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. See Reynolds, 3:05-CR-493, Record document no. 318, ¶ 6. The docket contains no indication that the Court of Appeals has rendered a disposition with respect to the direct appeal.
Since Reynolds presently has a direct appeal pending before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, his present request for relief under § 2241 is clearly premature. Furthermore, in the event Reynolds' direct appeal is unsuccessful, the next available avenue for him to challenge the legality of his federal conviction and sentence is via an action under § 2255.
Section 2255 provides in part that "[a]n application for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of a prisoner who is authorized to apply for relief by motion pursuant to this section, shall not be entertained if it appears that the applicant has failed to apply for relief, by motion to the court which sentenced him, or that such court has denied him relief, unless it also appears that the remedy by motion is inadequate or ineffective to test the legality of his detention." 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (emphasis added).
A § 2255 motion "supersedes habeas corpus and provides the exclusive remedy" to one in custody pursuant to a federal court conviction. Strollo v. Alldredge, 463 F.2d 1194, 1195 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 1046 (1972). "Section 2241 'is not an additional, alternative or supplemental remedy to 28 U.S.C. § 2255.'" Myers v. Booker, 232 F.3d 902, 2000 WL 1595967, at *1 (10th Cir. Oct. 26, 2000) (citing Bradshaw v. Story, 86 F.3d 164, 166 (10th Cir. 1996)). Only if it is shown that a § 2255 motion "is inadequate or ineffective to test the legality of . . . detention," may a federal inmate resort to § 2241 to challenge the validity of the conviction or sentence.
United States v. Brooks, 230 F.3d 643, 648 (3d Cir. 2000)(citation omitted); see also Application of Galante, 437 F.2d 1164, 1165 (3d Cir. 1971) (per curiam) (same).
Based on the foregoing analysis, Petitioner may not presently assert his claims under § 2241. Accordingly, his petition will be dismissed without prejudice. Reynolds, if he so chooses, may reassert his present claims via his pending direct appeal, or by filing a § 2255 petition. An appropriate Order will enter.
1. Petitioner is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis for the sole purpose of the filing of this action.
2. Reynolds' habeas corpus petition is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
4. Based on the Court's determination herein, there is no basis for the issuance of a Certificate of Appealability.