Opinion
NO. 4:15-CV-00103-DMB-DAS
09-23-2015
JOSEPH STEVENSON PETITIONER v. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI RESPONDENT
ORDER TRANSFERRING CASE TO FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS
This matter is before the Court, sua sponte, for consideration of the transfer of this cause. Joseph Stevenson has submitted a petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Stevenson was convicted of statutory rape on June 12, 2007. He has filed at least one other unsuccessful § 2254 motion concerning the same conviction which he now seeks to challenge. See Stevenson v Davenport, No. 4:13-CV-00027-SA-DAS (dismissed as untimely filed on July 30, 2013).
The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act provides:
Before a second or successive application permitted by this section is filed in the district court, the applicant shall move in the appropriate court of appeals for an order authorizing the district court to consider the application.28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(3)(A). Stevenson has not obtained such an order. Rather than dismissing the petition on this basis, the Fifth Circuit of Appeals permits district courts to transfer the petition for consideration pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2244(a) and (b)(3)(c). See In re Epps, 127 F.3d 364, 365 (5th Cir. 1997). Therefore, in the interest of justice and judicial economy, it is ORDERED:
1. That this petition be transferred to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for the petitioner to seek leave to file this successive § 2254 petition;
2. That the Clerk of Court is directed to transfer this petition and the entire record to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 2244(a) and (b)(3)(c), and In re Epps, 127 F.3d at 365; and
3. This case is CLOSED.
SO ORDERED, this 23rd day of September, 2015.
/S/ Debra M. Brown
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE