Opinion
9:22-cv-4705-DCC
03-28-2024
Calvin Epps, Petitioner, v. Warden FCI Estill, Respondent.
ORDER
Donald C. Coggins, Jr. United States District Judge.
Petitioner, a federal prisoner proceeding pro se, is seeking habeas corpus relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Local Civil Rule 73.02(B)(2), (D.S.C.), this matter was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Molly H. Cherry for pre-trial proceedings and a Report and Recommendation (“Report”). On June 13, 2023, Respondent filed a Motion to Dismiss or, in the Alternative, for Summary Judgment. ECF No. 15. On October 31, 2023, the Magistrate Judge issued a Report recommending that the Motion for Summary Judgment be granted and that the Petition be denied. ECF No. 19. The Magistrate Judge advised Petitioner of the procedures and requirements for filing objections to the Report and the serious consequences for failing to do so. Petitioner has not filed objections to the Report and the time to do so has lapsed.
The Magistrate Judge makes only a recommendation to this Court. The recommendation has no presumptive weight, and the responsibility to make a final determination remains with the Court. See Mathews v. Weber, 423 U.S. 261 (1976). The Court is charged with making a de novo determination of any portion of the Report of the Magistrate Judge to which a specific objection is made. The Court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the recommendation made by the Magistrate Judge or recommit the matter to the Magistrate Judge with instructions. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b). The Court will review the Report only for clear error in the absence of an objection. See Diamond v. Colonial Life & Accident Ins. Co., 416 F.3d 310, 315 (4th Cir. 2005) (stating that “in the absence of a timely filed objection, a district court need not conduct a de novo review, but instead must only satisfy itself that there is no clear error on the face of the record in order to accept the recommendation.” (citation omitted)).
As stated above, Petitioner has not filed objections to the Report. Upon review for clear error, the Court agrees with the recommendation of the Magistrate Judge. Accordingly, the Motion for Summary Judgment [15] is GRANTED and the Petition [1] is DENIED with prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED.