Opinion
Civil Action 2:21-CV-219
09-21-2021
ISAAC DAVID SANCHEZ, Petitioner, v. BOBBY LUMPKIN, Respondent.
OPINION AND ORDER OF TRANSFER
JASON B. LIBBY, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
This is a habeas action filed on September 14, 2021, by a state prisoner incarcerated at the Darrington Unit in Rosharon, Texas, which is located in Brazoria County. (D.E. 1). In his petition, Petitioner challenges his Cameron County sentence. (D.E. 1).
A habeas action may be filed either in the district where petitioner is in custody or in the district in which petitioner was convicted. 28 U.S.C. § 2241(d); Wadsworth v. Johnson, 235 F.3d 959 (5th Cir. 2000). Petitioner's place of incarceration is in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas, 28 U.S.C. § 124(b)(1), and he was convicted by a court located in the Brownsville Division of the Southern District of Texas. 28 U.S.C. § 124(b)(4).
For the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a district court may transfer any civil action to any other district or division where it might have been brought. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1404(a) and 1406(a). A habeas application may be transferred in furtherance of justice to the district court within which the state court was held which convicted and sentenced the petitioner. 28 U.S.C. § 2241(d). Because Petitioner was convicted in Cameron County, it is more convenient and would further the interests of justice for this action to be handled in the Brownsville Division of the Southern District of Texas. The records of his conviction and the prosecutor and defense lawyers are all located in the Brownsville Division of the Southern District of Texas.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that this case be transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to close this case.