District of Colorado • 1:26-cv-02797

#1

Jun 22, 2026

APPLICATION for Writ of Habeas Corpus Pursuant to 28 USC 2241 (Filing fee $ 5, Receipt Number 118466), filed by Jeffrey Greg Sandoval Espinoza. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment, # 2 Envelope) (jberr, ) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

#2

Jun 22, 2026

Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Richard T. Gurley for Initial Review pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 8.1 (b). Text Only Entry. (jberr, ) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

#3

Jun 25, 2026

ORDER DRAWING CASE by Magistrate Judge Richard T. Gurley on 6/25/2026. After review under D.C.COLO.LCivR 8.1(b), the Court has determined that this case does not appear to be appropriate for summary dismissal. Therefore, the case will be drawn to a presiding judge and, if applicable, to a magistrate judge. See D.C.COLO.LCivR 8.1(c). Accordingly, it is ORDERED that that this case shall be drawn to a presiding judge and, if applicable, to a magistrate judge. (Case randomly reassigned to Magistrate Judge Cyrus Y. Chung for all further proceedings. All future pleadings should be designated as 26-cv-02797-CYC). For all non-e-filer pro se parties, a copy of this document has been sent via U.S. Mail to the mailing address of record. (echa, ) (Entered: 06/25/2026)

#4

Jun 25, 2026

Magistrate Judge consent form issued pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 40.1, direct assignment of civil actions to full time magistrate judges. (echa, ) (Entered: 06/25/2026)

#5

Jun 26, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that Respondents SHOW CAUSE within seven (7) days from the date of this Order why the Petition, ECF No. 1, should not be granted. It is further ORDERED that within seven (7) days from the date of this Order the parties shall complete and file the Election Concerning Consent/Non-Consent to United States Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction form, ECF No. 4, indicating either the unanimous consent of the parties or that consent has been declined. Pursuant to the All Writs Act, and in order to preserve the Court's jurisdiction, it is further ORDERED that the respondents SHALL NOT REMOVE the Petitioner from the District of Colorado or the United States unless or until this Court or the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit vacates this Order. Entered by Magistrate Judge Cyrus Y. Chung on 6/26/2026. For all non-e-filer pro se parties, a copy of this document has been sent via U.S. Mail to the mailing address of record. (eluce) (Entered: 06/26/2026)

#6

Jun 26, 2026

CERTIFICATE of Service by Clerk of Court re 5 Order to Show Cause, 1 Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus. (Attachments: # 1 Certified Mail Receipts) (eluce) (Entered: 06/26/2026)

#7

Jun 29, 2026

ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Service upon United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado re 6 Certificate of Service. (eluce, ) (Entered: 06/29/2026)

#8

Jul 06, 2026

RESPONSE to 1 Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 5 Order to Show Cause,,,, by Respondents Juan Baltazar, Robert Hogan, Todd LyonsAttorney Timothy Bart Jafek added to party Juan Baltazar(pty:res), Attorney Timothy Bart Jafek added to party Robert Hogan(pty:res), Attorney Timothy Bart Jafek added to party Todd Lyons(pty:res). (Jafek, Timothy) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

#9

Jul 06, 2026

CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN Receipt as to Robert Hagan re: 6 Certificate of Service (agryan) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

#10

Jul 06, 2026

CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN Receipt as to Todd Lyons re: 6 Certificate of Service (agryan) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

#11

Jul 06, 2026

CONSENT to Jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge by Respondents Juan Baltazar, Robert Hogan, Todd Lyons All parties do not consent.. (Jafek, Timothy) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

#12

Jul 06, 2026

CASE REASSIGNED Pursuant to 11 Consent to Jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge. All parties do not consent, therefore, this case is randomly reassigned to Judge S. Kato Crews, and drawn to Magistrate Judge Cyrus Y. Chung for all future proceedings. All future pleadings should be designated as 26-cv-02797-SKC. (Text Only Entry) (agryan) (Entered: 07/06/2026)

#13

Jul 08, 2026

CONSENT to Jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge by Petitioner Jeffrey Greg Sandoval Espinoza. Petitioner party consents. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope)(eluce, ) (Entered: 07/08/2026)

#14

Jul 09, 2026

CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN Receipt as to Juan Baltazar re 6 Certificate of Service. (eluce, ) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

#15

Jul 13, 2026

Administrative Notice: The court did not successfully receive your payment as the original payment was returned due to insufficient funds. Text only entry. (agarc, ) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

#16

Jul 15, 2026

CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN Receipt as to USAG re 6 Certificate of Service (eluce, ) (Entered: 07/15/2026)

#17

Jul 24, 2026

Filing Fee RECEIVED: $ 5.00, receipt number 118855. (echa, ) (Entered: 07/24/2026)

#18

Aug 03, 2026

ORDER: Before the Court is Petitioner's 1 Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus. In their Response, Respondents state that they "are not submitting a brief in opposition to the Petition detailing the facts and circumstances of this case." Dkt. 8, p.1. The Tenth Circuit recently weighed in on the issue before this Court and agreed with the majority of courts in this district and around the country that "noncitizens who entered the United States and were thereafter detained in the interior of the country" are subject to 8 U.S.C. § 1226, not § 1225. Santillan Quiroz v. Mullin, No. 26-6019, 2026 WL 1876709, at *5 (10th Cir. June 30, 2026). Considering the Tenth Circuit's holding, Petitioner's 1 Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus is GRANTED. Furthermore, because Respondents have offered no lawful basis for his detention--alternative arguments pursuant to § 1226 or the existence of an administrative warrant--the Court concludes Petitioner is entitled to immediate release. Vargas Cardenas v. Bondi, No. 1:26-cv-01174-SKC, 2026 WL 886340, at *2 (D. Colo. Apr. 1, 2026).IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:Petitioner Jeffrey Greg Sandoval Espinoza is not subject to mandatory detention pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2), and Respondents are ENJOINED from re-detaining him under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(2)(A). Respondents are enjoined to the extent that Petitioner remains within the United States. This Order shall cease to apply if he is removed from the United States;Petitioner SHALL be immediately released from custody;To effectuate the purpose of this Court's Order and allow Petitioner to return home, Respondents are also temporarily enjoined from detaining Petitioner for a period of fourteen days; andRespondents SHALL FILE a status report within FIVE DAYS of this Order certifying compliance. SO ORDERED by Judge S. Kato Crews on 8/3/2026. For all non-e-filer pro se parties, a copy of this document has been sent via U.S. Mail to the mailing address of record. Text Only Entry (skclc4) (Entered: 08/03/2026)

Aug 03, 2026

Order

#19

Aug 07, 2026

STATUS REPORT by Respondents Juan Baltazar, Robert Hogan, Todd Lyons. (Jafek, Timothy) (Entered: 08/07/2026)

#20

Aug 11, 2026

ORDER re: 19 Status Report filed by Juan Baltazar, Robert Hagan, Todd Lyons. In light of Respondents' certification of compliance with this Court's Order, the Clerk of Court shall enter judgment and close this case. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED the Court's previous 5 Order prohibiting Petitioner's removal from the District of Colorado or the United States is VACATED. By Judge S. Kato Crews on 8/11/2026. For all non-e-filer pro se parties, a copy of this document has been sent via U.S. Mail to the mailing address of record. Text Only Entry (skclc4) (Entered: 08/11/2026)

Aug 11, 2026

Order

#21

Aug 13, 2026

FINAL JUDGMENT pursuant to Orders 18 and 20 . Entered by the Clerk of the Court on 8/13/2026. For all non-e-filer pro se parties, a copy of this document has been sent via U.S. Mail to the mailing address of record. (cpear) (Entered: 08/13/2026)

#22

Aug 20, 2026

NOTICE of Entry of Appearance by Anh Weinberg on behalf of Juan Baltazar, Robert Hogan, Todd Lyons (Jafek, Timothy) Modified on 8/20/2026 to correct attorney name (cpear). (Entered: 08/20/2026)

#23

Aug 20, 2026

MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Respondents Juan Baltazar, Robert Hogan, Todd Lyons. (Jafek, Timothy) (Entered: 08/20/2026)

#24

Aug 20, 2026

ORDER granting 23 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Timothy Bart Jafek is terminated as counsel for Respondents and electronic notifications will be turned off. By Judge S. Kato Crews on 8/20/2026. For all non-e-filer pro se parties, a copy of this document has been sent via U.S. Mail to the mailing address of record. Text Only Entry(skcja, ) (Entered: 08/20/2026)

Aug 20, 2026

Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney