Southern District of West Virginia • 3:26-cv-00293

#1

Apr 25, 2026

PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS by Datan Eliezer Licona Zelaya against Kenneth Barnett, John Rife, Todd M. Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Todd Blanche pursuant to Title 28, United States Code, Section 2241. Filing Fee $5. Receipt # 3001094. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Receipt) (skm) (Entered: 04/27/2026)

Apr 25, 2026

Case Assigned

Apr 25, 2026

CASE assigned to Judge Robert C. Chambers. (klc)

#2

Apr 27, 2026

STANDING ORDER IN RE: ASSIGNMENT AND REFERRAL OF CIVIL ACTIONS AND MATTERS TO MAGISTRATE JUDGES ENTERED SEPTEMBER 1, 2024. This case is referred to Magistrate Judge Joseph K. Reeder for Findings of Fact and Recommendations for disposition. (cc: counsel of record; any pro se party) (klc)

#3

Apr 27, 2026

SUMMONS SUBMITTED by Datan Eliezer Licona Zelaya for Kenneth Barnett, Todd Blanche, Todd M. Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, John Rife, re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241). (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Summons, # 2 Proposed Summons, # 3 Proposed Summons, # 4 Proposed Summons)(Brown, Sarah)

#4

Apr 27, 2026

EXPEDITED MOTION by Datan Eliezer Licona Zelaya for Immediate Order to Show Cause and Immediate Order Preventing Removal or Transfer of Petitioner Pending Disposition of Petition. (Attachment: # 1 Proposed Order)(Brown, Sarah)

#5

Apr 27, 2026

ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to Kenneth Barnett, John Rife, Todd M. Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Todd Blanche, re: 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241). Summons returnable 60 days. Instructions to Counsel: This is your electronic summons. Please print as many copies of the Summons and Complaint as are necessary to effectuate service under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4. See Proof of Service page of this Summons form for filing a return of service if required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(l). (Attachments: # 1 Summons as to John E. Rife, # 2 Summons as to Todd Lyons, # 3 Summons as to Markwayne Mullin, # 4 Summons as to Todd Blanche) (skm)

#6

Apr 27, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE AND TEMPORARILY ENJOINING TRANSFER OF PETITIONER PENDING DISPOSITION OF PETITION directing that Respondents SHALL file a written response to SHOW CAUSE, if any, as to why the 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) should not be granted by 8:30 AM on 4/30/2026; Petitioner shall have an opportunity to file a reply by 5/1/2026 at 8:30 AM; this matter shall be heard by this Court on 5/1/2026 at 10:30 AM in Huntington before Judge Robert C. Chambers; to the extent Respondents intend to assert that jurisdiction and/or venue in the Southern District of West Virginia is improper in this case, Respondents shall file any such objections within twenty-four hours of entry of this Order; Respondents SHALL NOT remove or facilitate the removal of Petitioner and/or his property from the United States, or transfer Petitioner to a location further from the Southern District of West Virginia than where he is presently located, pending further order of the Court; Respondents shall FORTHWITH, IMMEDIATELY, AND IN NO EVENT LATER THAN 4/27/2026, afford Petitioner a reasonable opportunity to confidentially consult with counsel and shall take all necessary steps to facilitate such communication; upon receipt of this Order, Respondents shall promptly ensure that all of Petitioner's property seized incident to detention is accounted for and that all such property can be immediately made available to Petitioner in the event Petitioner is released, as more fully set forth herein; service of this Order shall be made by Petitioner on the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia by 3:00 P.M. on 4/27/2026 and shall constitute good and sufficient service on Respondents. Signed by Judge Robert C. Chambers on 4/27/2026. (cc: counsel of record; any unrepresented parties) (skm)

#7

Apr 28, 2026

DECLARATION OF SERVICE by Datan Eliezer Licona Zelaya upon the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia in response to the Court's 6 Order. (Brown, Sarah)

#8

Apr 28, 2026

MOTION by Datan Eliezer Licona Zelaya to Waive Certain Requirements of L.R.Civ.P. 83.6 and For Pro Hac Vice Admission of Co-Counsel. (Brown, Sarah)

#9

Apr 28, 2026

Order

#10

Apr 29, 2026

Order

#11

Apr 29, 2026

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241)

#12

Apr 29, 2026

Response to Order to Show Cause

#13

Apr 30, 2026

Reply to Response

#14

May 01, 2026

Show Cause Hearing

#15

May 01, 2026

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER upon hearing held 5/1/2026; GRANTING Petitioner's 11 AMENDED VERIFIED PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241); directing Respondents to RELEASE PETITIONER IMMEDIATELY; directing Respondents to facilitate the prom pt return of Petitioners' seized property, including legal documents; PROHIBITING Respondents from re-arresting and detaining Petitioner in civil confinement absent significant change in circumstances to justify detention or the determination of a neutral, detached decisionmaker or prior approval of this Court. Signed by Judge Robert C. Chambers on 5/1/2026. (cc: counsel of record; any unrepresented parties) (skm)

#16

May 04, 2026

Judgment

#17

May 04, 2026

Transmitted Certified Copy