Southern District of New York • 1:26-cv-01248

#1

Feb 13, 2026

PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2241. Document filed by Jesus D. Mejia Huerta..(kgo) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#2

Feb 13, 2026

CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(kgo) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#3

Feb 13, 2026

PRO SE CONSENT TO RECEIVE ELECTRONIC SERVICE. The following party: Cintya Betancourt consents to receive electronic service via the ECF system. Document filed by Cintya A. Betancourt..(kgo) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#4

Feb 13, 2026

PETITIONER'S NOTICE OF EMERGENCY MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER. Document filed by Jesus D. Mejia Huerta. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order 1).(kgo) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#5

Feb 13, 2026

STANDING ORDER IN RE CASES FILED BY PRO SE PLAINTIFFS (See 24-MISC-127 Standing Order filed March 18, 2024). To ensure that all cases heard in the Southern District of New York are handled promptly and efficiently, all parties must keep the court apprised of any new contact information. It is a party's obligation to provide an address for service; service of court orders cannot be accomplished if a party does not update the court when a change of address occurs. Accordingly, all self-represented litigants are hereby ORDERED to inform the court of each change in their address or electronic contact information. Parties may consent to electronic service to receive notifications of court filings by email, rather than relying on regular mail delivery. Parties may also ask the court for permission to file documents electronically. Forms, including instructions for consenting to electronic service and requesting permission to file documents electronically, may be found by clicking on the hyperlinks in this order, or by accessing the forms on the courts website, nysd.uscourts.gov/forms. The procedures that follow apply only to cases filed by pro se plaintiffs. If the court receives notice from the United States Postal Service that an order has been returned to the court, or otherwise receives information that the address of record for a self-represented plaintiff is no longer valid, the court may issue an Order to Show Cause why the case should not be dismissed without prejudice for failure to comply with this order. Such order will be sent to the plaintiffs last known address and will also be viewable on the court's electronic docket. A notice directing the parties' attention to this order shall be docketed (and mailed to any self-represented party that has appeared and has not consented to electronic service) upon the opening of each case or miscellaneous matter that is classified as pro se in the court's records. (Signed by Judge Laura Taylor Swain on 3/18/2024) (kgo) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

#6

Feb 13, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: On February 13, 2026, Jesus D. Mejia Huerta ("Petitioner"), through his next friend Cintya A. Betancourt, filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus ("Petition") pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Dkt. No. 1. Upon consi deration of the Petition, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. Respondents show cause why the Petition should not be granted by February 18, 2026. 2. Petitioner have an opportunity to reply by February 20, 2026. 3. The parties APPEAR before this Court for a hearing on the petition on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 906 of the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, New York, New York 10007. Respondents shall produce Petitioner at the conference. 4. Pending conside ration of the Petition, Respondents are hereby RESTRAINED from transferring the Petitioner out of the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York, or District of New Jersey and, relatedly, the United States of America. The Clerk of Court shall electronically notify the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York of this Order at the following email addresses: jeffrey.oestericher@usdoj.gov and brandon.waterman@usdoj.gov. Counsel for Respondents shall promptly enter notices of appearance. SO ORDERED. (Replies due by 2/20/2026., Show Cause Response due by 2/18/2026., Show Cause Hearing set for 2/23/2026 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 906, 40 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Margaret M. Garnett.) (Signed by Judge Margaret M. Garnett on 2/13/2026) (jca) Transmission to Pro Se Assistants for processing.

Feb 13, 2026

Case Designated ECF. (kgo)

Feb 13, 2026

Note Regarding Service on Self-Represented Party

Feb 13, 2026

CASE MANAGEMENT NOTE: For each electronic filing made in a case involving a self-represented party who has not consented to electronic service, the filing party must serve the document on such self-represented party in a manner permitted by Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b)(2) (other than through the ECF system) and file proof of service for each document so served. Please see Rule 9.2 of the courts ECF Rules & Instructions for further information..(kgo)

Feb 13, 2026

Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo is designated to handle matters that may be referred in this case. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link: https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf. (kgo)

#7

Feb 17, 2026

HABEAS PACKAGE MAILED to Jesus D. Mejia Huerta A# 244 012 162 Orange County Correctional Facility 110 Wells Farm Rd. Goshen, NY 10924, at, on 2/17/2026 Re: 6 Order to Answer, 28 U.S.C. 2241. The following document(s) were enclosed in the Service Package: a copy of the order of service or order to answer and other orders entered to date, the individual practices of the district judge and magistrate judge assigned to your case, Instructions for Litigants Who Do Not Have Attorneys, Notice Regarding Privacy and Public Access to Electronic Case Files, a Motions guide, a notice that the Pro Se Manual has been discontinued, a Notice of Change of Address form to use if your contact information changes, a handout explaining matters handled by magistrate judges and consent form to complete if all parties agree to proceed for all purposes before the magistrate judge. (nb) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#8

Feb 17, 2026

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Tudor M Neagu on behalf of Lawrence Catletti, Marcus Charles, William Joyce, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem..(Neagu, Tudor) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

#9

Feb 17, 2026

LETTER MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply to February 20, 2026 addressed to Judge Margaret M. Garnett from Tudor Neagu dated February 17, 2026. Document filed by Lawrence Catletti, Marcus Charles, William Joyce, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem..(Neagu, Tudor) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb 17, 2026

Mailing Receipt

Feb 17, 2026

MAILING RECEIPT: Document No: 6. Mailed to: JesusD.Mejia Huerta A#244012162 Orange County Correctional Facility 110 Wells Farm Rd. Goshen, NY 10924. (nb)

Feb 17, 2026

MAILING RECEIPT: Document No: 5. Mailed to: JesusD.Mejia Huerta A#244012162 Orange County Correctional Facility 110 Wells Farm Rd. Goshen, NY 10924. (nb)

#10

Feb 18, 2026

ORDER granting 9 Letter Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. GRANTED. The deadline for the Government to file its response to the Petition is EXTENDED until February 20, 2026. The deadline for Petitioner to file his reply is likewise EXTENDED until February 24, 2026. The hearing previously scheduled for February 23, 2026 is ADJOURNED until February 26, 2026 at 9:30 A.M. SO ORDERED. Replies due by 2/24/2026. (Signed by Judge Margaret M. Garnett on 2/18/2026) (mml) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

Feb 18, 2026

Set/Reset Deadlines: Lawrence Catletti answer due 2/20/2026; Marcus Charles answer due 2/20/2026; William Joyce answer due 2/20/2026; Todd Lyons answer due 2/20/2026; Kristi Noem answer due 2/20/2026., Set/Reset Hearings: (Show Cause Hearing set for 2/26/2026 at 09:30 AM before Judge Margaret M. Garnett.) (mml)

Feb 19, 2026

MAILING RECEIPT: Document No: 10. Mailed to: JesusD.Mejia Huerta A#244012162 Orange County Correctional Facility 110 Wells Farm Rd. Goshen, NY 10924. (ml)

Feb 19, 2026

Mailing Receipt

#11

Feb 20, 2026

ORDER DIRECTING PAYMENT OF FEE OR IFP APPLICATION: Accordingly, within 30 days of the date of this order Petitioner Jesus D. Mejia Huerta or his next friend, Cintya A. Betancourt Valbuena, must pay the $5.00 filing fee or submit a completed and signed IFP application. If an IFP application is filed, it should be labeled with docket number 26-CV-1248 (MMG). If the Court grants the IFP application, this action will proceed without the prepayment of fees. See 28 U.S.C. § ; 1915(a)(1). If Petitioner or his next friend do not respond within the time allowed, and there is no request for additional time to respond, the Court will dismiss this action without prejudice. The Court directs the Clerk of Court to mail a co py of this order to Petitioner at the address listed on the docket sheet for this action. Petitioner's next friend has consented to accept electronic service of documents. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Margaret M. Garnett on 2/20/2026) (mml)

#12

Feb 20, 2026

LETTER addressed to Judge Margaret M. Garnett from Tudor Neagu dated February 20, 2026 re: Government's Opposition to the Petition. Document filed by Lawrence Catletti, Marcus Charles, William Joyce, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Government's Memorandum of Law in L.M.G.).(Neagu, Tudor) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

#13

Feb 20, 2026

RESPONSE re: 12 Letter, . Document filed by Lawrence Catletti, Marcus Charles, William Joyce, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, I-213, Jan. 23, 2023, # 2 Exhibit B, Notice to Appear, Jan. 23, 2023, # 3 Exhibit C, Parole, I-94, Jan. 23, 2023 to Jan. 22, 2024, # 4 Exhibit D, FBI Identity History Report, # 5 Exhibit E, I-213, Feb. 5, 2026, # 6 Exhibit F, Warrant for Arrest, I-200, Feb. 5, 2026).(Neagu, Tudor) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

#14

Feb 20, 2026

DECLARATION of Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer Timothy Nevin in Opposition re: 12 Letter, 13 Response,. Document filed by Lawrence Catletti, Marcus Charles, William Joyce, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem..(Neagu, Tudor) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

Feb 23, 2026

Mailing Receipt

Feb 23, 2026

MAILING RECEIPT: Document No: 11. Mailed to: JesusD.Mejia Huerta A#244012162 Orange County Correctional Facility 110 Wells Farm Rd. Goshen, NY 10924. (nb)

Feb 25, 2026

Pro Se Payment of Fee Processed: $5.00 Credit Card processed by the Finance Department on 2/25/2026, Receipt Number 46977. (ss)

Feb 25, 2026

Pro Se Payment of Fee - Processed

Feb 26, 2026

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Margaret M. Garnett: Show Cause Hearing held on 2/26/2026. Mr. Jesus Mejia Huerta, Pro Se, present. Counsel Tudor Neagu present for Defendants. (Court Reporter Eve Giniger) (kv)

Feb 26, 2026

Show Cause Hearing

#15

Feb 27, 2026

OPINION AND ORDER: For the foregoing reasons, Petitioner's habeas petition is GRANTED. The Government is hereby ORDERED to release Mr. Mejia Huerta from custody forthwith. The Government is further ORDERED to file a letter certifying compli ance with this Court's Order by no later than noon on Monday, March 2, 2026. The Court will retain jurisdiction over this case pending the Government's status letter. Nothing in this Order relieves the Government of its obligation, pursua nt to the Court's oral order at the February 26 hearing, to inform the assigned Assistant District Attorney at the Westchester County District Attorney's Office that Petitioner missed his February 12 court date due to his immigration detention, and to file a letter on the docket by Monday, March 2, 2026 confirming compliance with this Order. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Margaret M. Garnett on 2/27/2026) (kv)

Feb 27, 2026

Transmission to Orders and Judgments Clerk. Transmitted re: 15 Memorandum & Opinion, to the Orders and Judgments Clerk..(kv)

#16

Mar 02, 2026

LETTER addressed to Judge Margaret M. Garnett from Tudor Neagu dated March 2, 2026 re: Petitioner's Release and Fugitive Warrant, Westchester County. Document filed by Lawrence Catletti, Marcus Charles, William Joyce, Todd Lyons, Kristi Noem..(Neagu, Tudor) (Entered: 03/02/2026)

Mar 02, 2026

MAILING RECEIPT: Document No: 15. Mailed to: JesusD.Mejia Huerta A#244012162 Orange County Correctional Facility 110 Wells Farm Rd. Goshen, NY 10924. (nb)

Mar 02, 2026

Mailing Receipt

Mar 03, 2026

Transmission to Orders and Judgments Clerk

#17

Mar 05, 2026

CLERK'S JUDGMENT re: 15 Memorandum & Opinion in favor of Jesus D. Mejia Huerta against Kristi Noem, Lawrence Catletti, Marcus Charles, Todd Lyons, William Joyce. It is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED: That for the reasons stated in the Court's Memorandum Opinion and Order dated February 27, 2026, Petitioner's habeas petition is GRANTED. (Signed by Clerk of Court Tammi M Hellwig on 3/5/2026) (Attachments: # 1 Appeal Package) (km)

Mar 06, 2026

Mailing Receipt

Mar 06, 2026

MAILING RECEIPT: Document No: 17. Mailed to: JesusD.Mejia Huerta A#244012162 Orange County Correctional Facility 110 Wells Farm Rd. Goshen, NY 10924. (nb)

Mar 11, 2026

Received Returned Mail

Mar 11, 2026

Received returned mail re: 11 Order Directing Payment of Fee or IFP Application. Mail was addressed to JesusD.Mejia Huerta A#244012162 Orange County Correctional Facility 110 Wells Farm Rd. Goshen, NY 10924 and was returned for the following reason(s): Return to sender not deliverable as addressed unable to forward.(kma)

Apr 15, 2026

Received Returned Mail