Eastern District of Virginia • 2:26-cv-00431

#1

May 04, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 5.00.), filed by Nelson Alberto Sanchez Castellon. (Attachments: # 1 Letter, # 2 Envelope) (jmey) (Entered: 05/04/2026)

#2

May 04, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Nelson Alberto Sanchez Castellon. (jmey) (Entered: 05/04/2026)

#3

May 04, 2026

Acknowledgment of Receipt. (jmey) (Entered: 05/04/2026)

#4

May 06, 2026

REFERRAL ORDER. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A) and (B), this matter is hereby REFERRED to United States Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard for further proceedings. The Clerk is DIRECTED to send a copy of this Referral Order to Petitioner. Signed by District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith on 5/6/2026. Copies mailed 5/6/2026. (jmey) (Entered: 05/06/2026)

#5

May 11, 2026

ORDER. 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma Pauperis is DISMISSED as MOOT. It is hereby: ORDERED that Petitioner IS NOT to be removed or transferred from this District for any reason without this Court's permission; and it is further ORDERED that on or before 5:00 p.m. on May 18, 2026, Respondents must file a response to the Petition of no more than 7 pages addressing: (1) whether the central legal issue in this action is whether Petitioner is considered an applicant for admission under § 1225(b) or eligible for discretionary bond under § 1225(a), and (2) whether there are any unique factual circumstances rendering this Petition different from others that have been recently filed and adjudicated on the same issue that would warrant alternative consideration by the Court; and it is further ORDERED that if Respondents file a response stating that the central legal issue in this action is whether Petitioner is considered an applicant for admission under § 1225(b) or eligible for discretionary bond under § 1225(a), and identifies no unique factual circumstances that render this Petition different from others that have been recently filed and adjudicated on the same issue, then this Court will issue a ruling without further filings from the parties; and it is further ORDERED that if the Respondents file a response identifying unique factual circumstances that render this Petition different from others on the same issue, then Petitioner shall file any reply in further support of the Petition on or before June 1, 2026. The Clerk is DIRECTED to forward a copy of this Order to Petitioner. Signed by Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard on 5/8/2026. Copies mailed 5/8/2026. (jmey) (Entered: 05/11/2026)

#6

May 12, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Virginia Lynn Van Valkenburg on behalf of Russell Hott (Van Valkenburg, Virginia) (Entered: 05/12/2026)

#7

May 18, 2026

Response to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) filed by Russell Hott. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Van Valkenburg, Virginia) (Entered: 05/18/2026)

#8

Jul 09, 2026

Submission by Nelson Alberto Sanchez Castellon. (Attachments: # 1 Sealed Attachments, # 2 Envelope) (jmey) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

#9

Jul 13, 2026

NOTICE by Ney Hidalgo, Russell Hott of Mailing to Petitioner (Van Valkenburg, Virginia) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

#10

Jul 24, 2026

Traverse in Support to 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) filed by Nelson Alberto Sanchez Castellon. (Attachments: # 1 Sealed Attachments, # 2 Envelope) (jmey) (Entered: 07/24/2026)

#11

Aug 07, 2026

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241). Objections to R&R Deadline 8/21/2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard on 8/7/2026. Copies mailed 8/7/2026. (jmey) (Entered: 08/07/2026)

#12

Aug 20, 2026

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 11 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS by Nelson Alberto Sanchez Castellon. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (jmey) (Entered: 08/20/2026)

#13

Aug 21, 2026

ORDER Granting 12 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. Petitioner's new deadline to file an objection to the Report and Recommendation is September 4,2026. The Clerk is DIRECTED to forward a copy of this Order to the Petitioner and counsel of record for the Respondents. Signed by Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard on 8/21/2026. Copies mailed 8/21/2026. (Vpea) (Entered: 08/21/2026)

#14

Sep 03, 2026

OBJECTION to 11 Report and Recommendations by Nelson Alberto Sanchez Castellon. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (jmey) (Entered: 09/03/2026)

#15

Sep 25, 2026

FINAL ORDER. It is ORDERED that the court ADOPTS and APPROVES the findings and recommendations set forth in the 11 Report and Recommendation. The 1 Petition is DENIED without prejudice. It is further ORDERED that judgment be entered in favor of Respondents. The Clerk is DIRECTED to forward a copy of this Final Order to Petitioner and counsel for Respondents. Signed by District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith on 9/25/2026. Copies mailed 9/25/2026. (jmey)

#16

Sep 25, 2026

CLERK'S JUDGMENT. Signed by Clerk on 9/25/2026. (jmey) (Entered: 09/25/2026)