Eastern District of Virginia • 2:26-cv-00919

#1

Sep 01, 2026

PETITION filed for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Filing fee $ 0.00.), filed by Melvin Cabrera Villatoro. (Attachments: # 1 Envelope) (jmey) Modified on 9/14/2026 to note filed re 6 Order. (jmey) (Entered: 09/01/2026)

#2

Sep 01, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Melvin Cabrera Villatoro. (jmey) (Entered: 09/01/2026)

#3

Sep 01, 2026

MOTION to Appoint Counsel by Melvin Cabrera Villatoro. (jmey) (Entered: 09/01/2026)

#4

Sep 01, 2026

Acknowledgment of Receipt. (jmey) (Entered: 09/01/2026)

#5

Sep 02, 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. Signed by District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes on 9/2/2026. Copies mailed 9/2/2026. (jmey) (Entered: 09/02/2026)

#6

Sep 14, 2026

ORDER. 2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma Pauperis is GRANTED and the Clerk is DIRECTED to file the 1 Petition. 3 Motion to Appoint Counsel is DENIED. 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 September 21, 2026, Respondent must file a response to the Petition of no more than 7 pages addressing: (1) whether the central legal issue in this action is Petitioner's eligibility for discretionary bond under § 1226(a); and (2) whether there are any unique factual circumstances rendering this Petition different from Lopez Garcia that would warrant a different result. ORDERED that if Respondent files a response stating that the central legal issue in this petition is Petitioner's eligibility for discretionary bond under § 1226(a), and identifies no unique factual circumstances that render this Petition different from Lopez Garcia, then this Court will issue a ruling without further filings from the parties; and it is further ORDERED that if Respondent files a response identifying unique factual circumstances that render this Petition different from Lopez Garcia, then Petitioner shall file any reply in further support of the Petition on or before October 5, 2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard on 9/14/2026. Copies mailed 9/14/2026. (jmey) (Entered: 09/14/2026)

#7

Sep 15, 2026

Mail Returned as Undeliverable. Mail sent to Melvin Cabrera Villatoro re 5 . (jmey) (Entered: 09/17/2026)

#8

Sep 16, 2026

Mail Returned as Undeliverable. Mail sent to Melvin Cabrera Villatoro re 4 . (jmey) (Entered: 09/17/2026)