Dozier v. United States of America, No. 5:2023cv00089 - Document 40 (S.D.W. Va. 2024)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER adopting the 39 Proposed Findings and Recommendations; granting the Respondent's 36 Motion to dismiss; denying the Petitioner's 31 Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence (2255); dismissing this matter and removing it from the Court's docket; denying a certificate of appealability. Signed by Judge Irene C. Berger on 4/8/2024. (cc: Magistrate Judge Eifert; counsel of record; any unrepresented party) (btm)

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Dozier v. United States of America Doc. 40 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA BECKLEY DIVISION DESHAWN DOZIER, Petitioner, v. CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:23-cv-00089 (Criminal No. 5:15-cr-00078) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Respondent. MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER On February 6, 2023, the Petitioner, proceeding pro se, filed his Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence by a Person in Federal Custody, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Document 31). On March 23, 2023, the Government’s Response to Movant’s 28 U.S.C. § 2255 Motion (Document 36) was filed wherein it is requested that the Petitioner’s § 2255 Motion be dismissed. By Standing Order (Document 33) entered on February 7, 2023, this action was referred to the Honorable Cheryl A. Eifert, United States Magistrate Judge, for submission to this Court of proposed findings of fact and recommendation for disposition, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636. On March 12, 2024, the Magistrate Judge submitted a Proposed Findings and Recommendation (Document 39) wherein it is recommended that the Respondent’s motion to dismiss (Document 36) be granted, the Petitioner’s § 2555 motion (Document 31) be denied, and this matter be dismissed and removed from the Court’s docket. 1 Dockets.Justia.com Objections to the Magistrate Judge’s Proposed Findings and Recommendation were due by March 29, 2024, and none were filed by either party. The Court is not required to review, under a de novo or any other standard, the factual or legal conclusions of the magistrate judge as to those portions of the findings or recommendation to which no objections are addressed. Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 150 (1985). Failure to file timely objections constitutes a waiver of de novo review and the Petitioner’s right to appeal this Court’s Order. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); see also Snyder v. Ridenour, 889 F.2d 1363, 1366 (4th Cir. 1989); United States v. Schronce, 727 F.2d 91, 94 (4th Cir. 1984). Accordingly, the Court ADOPTS and incorporates herein the findings and recommendation of the Magistrate Judge as contained in the Proposed Findings and Recommendation, and ORDERS that the Respondent’s motion to dismiss (Document 36) be GRANTED, the Petitioner’s § 2555 motion (Document 31) be DENIED, and this matter be DISMISSED and REMOVED from the Court’s docket. The Court has additionally considered whether to grant a certificate of appealability. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c). A certificate will not be granted unless there is “a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.” Id. § 2253(c)(2). The standard is satisfied only upon a showing that reasonable jurists would find that any assessment of the constitutional claims by this Court is debatable or wrong and that any dispositive procedural ruling is likewise debatable. Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336-38 (2003); Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000); Rose v. Lee, 252 F.3d 676, 683-84 (4th Cir. 2001). The Court concludes that the governing standard is not satisfied in this instance. Accordingly, the Court DENIES a certificate of appealability. 2 The Court DIRECTS the Clerk to send a certified copy of this Order to Magistrate Judge Eifert, counsel of record, and any unrepresented party. ENTER: 3 April 8, 2024

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