Middle District of Florida • 2:26-cv-01245

#1

Apr 19, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus - Federal (Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AFLMDC-24805251) filed by Rudy Mendoza-Rivas. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Appendix, # 3 Exhibit A, # 4 Exhibit B, # 5 Exhibit C)(Smerdon, Bonnie) Modified on 4/20/2026 (TDC). (Entered: 04/19/2026)

#2

Apr 20, 2026

NEW CASE ASSIGNED to Judge Sheri Polster Chappell and Magistrate Judge Nicholas P. Mizell. New case number: 2:26-cv-01245-SPC-NPM. (TDC) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

#3

Apr 20, 2026

NOTICE TO COUNSEL Bonnie Smerdon of Local Rule 2.02(a), which states, "The first paper filed on behalf of a party must designate only one lead counsel who - unless the party changes the designation - remains lead counsel throughout the action." Counsel must file a Notice of Lead Counsel Designation identifying lead counsel. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (TDC) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

Apr 20, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Apr 20, 2026

Notice to Counsel of Local Rule

#4

Apr 21, 2026

Notice of Lead Counsel Designation

#5

Apr 22, 2026

Order to Respond to Habeas Petition

#6

Apr 28, 2026

Notice of appearance

#7

Apr 28, 2026

Notice of appearance

#8

Apr 28, 2026

Response to habeas petition

#9

Apr 28, 2026

Dismiss

#10

Apr 29, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER denying Respondent Warden of Florida Soft Side South's Motion to Dismiss Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 9). "The federal habeas statute straightforwardly provides that the proper respondent to a habeas petition is the person who has custody over the petitioner." Rumsfeld v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 426, 434 (2004) (cleaned up). While courts have recognized that immigration detainees in state-run facilities can bring habeas claims against certain federal officials, see, e.g., Masingene v. Martin, 424 F. Supp. 3d 1298, 1301 (S.D. Fla. 2020), the immediate custodian is also a proper respondent. As the immediate custodian of the petitioner, the Warden is a proper respondent to his habeas petition. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 4/29/2026. (SAP) (Entered: 04/29/2026)

#11

Apr 29, 2026

Reply to response to petition

Apr 29, 2026

Order on Motion to Dismiss

#12

May 01, 2026

Opinion and order

#13

May 01, 2026

Judgment

#14

May 07, 2026

Proof of Service