Middle District of Florida • 2:26-cv-01280

#1

Apr 21, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus - Federal (Filing fee $ 5 receipt number AFLMDC-24816147) filed by Juan Carlos Zuniga Leon. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet JS-44)(Montanez, Felix) (Entered: 04/21/2026)

#2

Apr 21, 2026

NEW CASE ASSIGNED to Judge Sheri Polster Chappell and Magistrate Judge Douglas N. Frazier. New case number: 2:26-cv-01280-SPC-DNF. (TDC) (Entered: 04/21/2026)

#3

Apr 21, 2026

NOTICE TO COUNSEL Felix Alberto Montanez 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: 04/21/2026)

Apr 21, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Apr 21, 2026

Notice to Counsel of Local Rule

#4

Apr 22, 2026

ORDER to respond and show cause why the petition should not be granted. The Clerk is directed to serve the petition. The Petitioner has 3 days to reply to the response to petition. Response to petition due by 4/29/2026. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 4/22/2026. (TDC) (Entered: 04/22/2026)

#5

Apr 28, 2026

Response to habeas petition

#6

Apr 28, 2026

Response to habeas petition

#7

Apr 30, 2026

Notice of appearance

#8

Apr 30, 2026

Extension of Time to File Answer / Respond to Complaint

#9

Apr 30, 2026

Notice of appearance

#10

May 01, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER granting 8 Motion for Extension of Time. By May 4, 2026, Respondent, Warden, Alligator Alcatraz may file a response to the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. Signed by Magistrate Judge Douglas N. Frazier on 5/1/2026. (BRH) (Entered: 05/01/2026)

May 01, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

#11

May 04, 2026

Dismiss

#12

May 04, 2026

ENDORSED ORDER denying Respondent Warden of Alligator Alcatraz's Motion to Dismiss Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. 11). "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 5/4/2026. (SAP) (Entered: 05/04/2026)

May 04, 2026

Order on Motion to Dismiss

#13

May 06, 2026

Opinion and order

#14

May 08, 2026

Judgment