In Re: Eric Richardson, No. 17-1489 (4th Cir. 2017)

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UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 17-1489 In re: ERIC M. RICHARDSON, a/k/a Father, Petitioner. On Petition for Writ of Mandamus. (1:09-cr-00288-JKB-28; 1:14-cv-02542-JKB) Submitted: July 27, 2017 Decided: July 31, 2017 Before AGEE and FLOYD, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge. Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion. Eric Richardson, Petitioner Pro Se. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. PER CURIAM: Eric Richardson petitions for a writ of mandamus, alleging that the district court has unduly delayed in ruling on his 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (2012) petition. He seeks an order from this court directing the district court to act. However, we find the present record does not reveal undue delay in the district court. Richardson also seeks an order granting relief on his claim that he does not qualify as a career offender and directing the district court to recuse itself. We conclude that Richardson is not entitled to mandamus relief. Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should be used only in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. U.S. Dist. Court, 426 U.S. 394, 402 (1976); United States v. Moussaoui, 333 F.3d 509, 516-17 (4th Cir. 2003). Further, mandamus relief is available only when the petitioner has a clear right to the relief sought and no other adequate remedy is available. In re First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n, 860 F.2d 135, 138 (4th Cir. 1988). Because Richardson can pursue his career offender claim through his § 2241 petition and subsequent 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (2012) motion, the relief he seeks is not available by way of mandamus. Nor has Richardson established a clear right to the district court’s recusal. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process. PETITION DENIED 2

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