Central District of California • 5:26-cv-00317

#1

Jan 24, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in Federal Custody (28 USC 2241), Receipt No. ACACDC-41346899 for $5 filing fee, filed by plaintiff Santos NATALIO MENDOZA. (Attorney Rodrigo Marcelo Avendano added to party Santos NATALIO MENDOZA(pty:pet))(Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 01/24/2026)

#2

Jan 24, 2026

CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Petitioner Santos NATALIO MENDOZA. (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 01/24/2026)

#3

Jan 24, 2026

First EX PARTE APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to Release petitioner from immigration custody and refrain from transferring out of this District's jurisdiction Ex parte Temporary Restraining Order filed by plaintiff Santos NATALIO MENDOZA. Ex Parte Application set for hearing on 1/26/2026 at 09:00 AM before Judge Christina A. Snyder. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit Exhibit F, # 8 Exhibit Exhibit G, # 9 Exhibit Exhibit H, # 10 Exhibit Exhibit I, # 11 Exhibit Exhibit J) (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 01/24/2026)

#4

Jan 24, 2026

First APPLICATION for Order to Show Cause re: Immediate Releae Ex parte Temporary Restraining Order filed by plaintiff Santos NATALIO MENDOZA. Application set for hearing on 1/26/2026 at 10:00 AM before Judge Christina A. Snyder. (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 01/24/2026)

#5

Jan 25, 2026

NOTICE OF REFERENCE to a U.S. Magistrate Judge. This case has been assigned to the calendar of the Honorable District Judge Anne Hwang and referred to Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo, who is authorized to consider preliminary matters and conduct all further hearings as may be appropriate or necessary. Pursuant to Local Rule 83-2.4, the Court must be notified within five (5) days of any address change. See notice for additional details. (car) (Entered: 01/25/2026)

#6

Jan 25, 2026

NOTICE OF DEFICIENCIES in Attorney Case Opening RE: First APPLICATION for Order to Show Cause re: Immediate Release Ex Parte Temporary Restraining Order 4 . The following error(s) was found: Other error(s) with document(s): The hearing date and time should not have been set before Judge Assignment. No further action is required unless and until the Court directs you to do so. (car) (Entered: 01/25/2026)

#7

Jan 26, 2026

SCHEDULING NOTICE TEXT ENTRY ONLY by Judge Anne Hwang. NOTICE AND ORDER TO ALL PARTIES. The January 26, 2026 hearing re Ex parte application 3 for Temporary Restraining Order is hereby vacated. No one is to appear on January 26, 2026. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (ys) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 01/26/2026)

#8

Jan 26, 2026

SCHEDULING NOTICE TEXT ENTRY ONLY by Judge Anne Hwang. NOTICE AND ORDER TO ALL PARTIES. The Court is in receipt of Petitioners Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, filed on January 24, 2026. Dkt. No. 3 . Counsel for Respondents is ordered to file a response by 5:00 p.m. on January 27, 2026. Petitioner may file an optional reply by 2:00 p.m. on January 28, 2026. The matter will be set for a hearing on JANUARY 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The parties may appear remotely for the hearing. Counsel are directed to visit the ZOOM Webinar Information, that can be found on the Courts Website, under Judge Hwangs Procedures. Counsel may log in at least 15 minutes in advance of the hearing. Counsel and the parties are reminded that there is a general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings (including those held by telephone or video conference) and any recording of a court proceeding held by video or teleconference, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (ys) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 01/26/2026)

Jan 26, 2026

Text Only Scheduling Notice

#9

Jan 27, 2026

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Erika Suzanne Rojas counsel for Respondents Todd Lyons, Ernesto Santacruz, Jr. Adding Erika S. Rojas as counsel of record for Respondents for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Respondents in their official capacities. (Attorney Erika Suzanne Rojas added to party Todd Lyons(pty:res), Attorney Erika Suzanne Rojas added to party Ernesto Santacruz, Jr(pty:res))(Rojas, Erika) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

#10

Jan 27, 2026

OPPOSITION re: First EX PARTE APPLICATION for Temporary Restraining Order as to Release petitioner from immigration custody and refrain from transferring out of this District's jurisdiction Ex parte Temporary Restraining Order 3 filed by Respondents Todd Lyons, Ernesto Santacruz, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Jolene Velasquez, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B)(Rojas, Erika) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

#11

Jan 28, 2026

REPLY filed by Petitioner Santos Natalio Mendoza to Respondents Opposition to Emergency TRO (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 01/28/2026)

#12

Jan 29, 2026

MINUTES OF 3 EX PARTE APPLICATION for TRO; Motion Hearing held before Judge Anne Hwang. The case is called and counsel state their appearances. The Court and counsel confer. Following oral argument, the Court advises counsel that the Ex parte application for Temporary Restraining Order 3 is hereby DENIED, and the Court orders Respondent not to transfer the Petitioner out of the District, as stated on the record. Court Reporter: Valerie Savla. Attorney for Petitioner: Rodrigo M. Avendano, via zoom. Attorney for Respondent: Erika Rojas, AUSA via zoom. Courtroom Deputy: Yolanda Skipper. Time in court: 20 mins. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (ys) (Entered: 01/29/2026)

Jan 29, 2026

Motion Hearing AND Temporary Restraining Order

#13

Feb 11, 2026

ORDER REQUIRING RESPONSE TO HABEAS PETITION by Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows: Within three days after the date of this Order, Respondents shall file and serve a Notice of Appearance. (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS AND DEADLINES). Notice: The court has issued a ruling on preliminary review. Pursuant to the Agreement on Acceptance of Service between the Clerk of Court and the United States Attorneys Office, this Notice constitutes service under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4. (Attachments: # 1 Petition, # 2 Blank Consent Form) (hr) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

#14

Feb 19, 2026

FOR COURT USE ONLY: STATISTICAL CORRECTION denying 4 APPLICATION for Order to Show Cause re: 12 Minutes of Ex Parte Application for TRO (bm) Modified on 2/19/2026 (bm). (Entered: 02/19/2026)

Feb 19, 2026

Show Cause

#15

Feb 27, 2026

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Enforce Immediate Release filed by Plaintiff Santos Natalio Mendoza. Motion set for hearing on 4/27/2026 at 09:00 AM before Judge Anne Hwang. (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

#16

Mar 02, 2026

Text Only Entry: It is hereby ordered that Petitioner's Motion for Immediate Release or in the Alternative to Release on Bail Pending Resolution of Habeas Petition (Dkt. No. 15 ), currently set on April 27, 2026, at 9:00 am before District Judge Anne Hwang, is rescheduled for hearing before Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo on April 28, 2026, at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 590 of the Roybal Federal Courthouse, located at 255 E. Temple St. in Los Angeles, California. The hearing shall be in person. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (mr) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 03/02/2026)

Mar 02, 2026

Generic Text Only Entry

#17

Apr 24, 2026

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo: The Motion for Immediate Release (Dkt. 15 ) set for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. is continued to 3:00 p.m. on the same date in Courtroom 590 of the Roybal Federal Courthouse, located at 255 E. Temple St. in Los Angeles, California. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (mr) (Entered: 04/24/2026)

Apr 24, 2026

Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

#18

Apr 28, 2026

MINUTES OF Motion Hearing held before Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo: The Court heard arguments on Petitioner's Motion to Enforce Immediate Release (Dkt. No. 15 ). The Court takes the Motion under submission and will issue a written order. Attorney for Petitioner: Rodrigo Marcelo Avendano. Attorney for Respondent: Erika Suzanne Rojas. Courtroom Deputy: Marlene Ramirez. Time in Court: 14 mins. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. Court Recorder: CS 4/28/26. (mr) (Entered: 04/28/2026)

#19

Apr 28, 2026

ANSWER to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 1 filed by RESPONDENTS Todd Lyons, Ernesto Santacruz, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Rojas, Erika) (Entered: 04/28/2026)

Apr 28, 2026

Motion Hearing

#20

Apr 29, 2026

CONSENT TO PROCEED before Magistrate Judge, in accordance with Title 28 Section 636(c) and F.R.CIV.P 73(b), filed by Petitioner Santos Natalio Mendoza. (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 04/29/2026)

#21

Apr 30, 2026

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Strike Respondent's Untimely Answer to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Answer to Complaint 19 filed by petitioner Santos Natalio Mendoza. (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

#22

May 01, 2026

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo: This cause comes before the Court on Petitioner's Motion to Strike Respondent's Untimely Answer to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. (Dkt. No. 21 ). Although the Answer was filed very late, the Court will consider it. Therefore, Petitioner's Motion to Strike (Dkt. No. 21 ) is hereby DENIED. Petitioner may file a Traverse in support of the Petition on or before May 8, 2026, and is given leave to supplement the record by that date with any other relevant documents, including a recording of the bond hearing before the Immigration Judge. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (mr) (Entered: 05/01/2026)

May 01, 2026

Strike

#23

May 08, 2026

NOTICE OF LODGING filed Rodriguez Bond Audio Recording re Order on Motion to Strike,, 22 (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 05/08/2026)

#24

May 08, 2026

REPLY filed by Petitioner Santos Natalio Mendoza to Answer to Complaint 19, Order on Motion to Strike,, 22 (Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 05/08/2026)

#25

Sep 01, 2026

MINUTE ORDER IN CHAMBERS-ORDER RE CONSENT by Judge Anne Hwang: On April 29, 2026, Petitioner filed a written consent to proceed before the United States Magistrate Judge for all purposes pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sec. 636(c) and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 73(b). [Doc. No. 20.] Respondents have not yet filed a consent. Because this Petition was filed prior to the issuance of General Order No. 26-05 on April 1, 2026, it is unclear whether Respondents' consent pursuant to that General Order is effective for this case. For clarity, in light of the procedure now established in General Order No. 26-05 for immigration habeas cases, the Court will deem the government to have consented to the Magistrate Judge's jurisdiction in this case unless it files an objection within three days of the date of this order. (Attachments: # 1 Part 2) (bm) (Entered: 09/04/2026)

#26

Sep 09, 2026

Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel: for attorney Mallory Lynn counsel for Respondents Todd Lyons, Ernesto Santacruz, Jr. Adding Mallory Lynn as counsel of record for Todd Lyons, Ernesto Santacruz Jr. for the reason indicated in the G-123 Notice. Filed by Respondents Todd Lyons, Ernesto Santacruz Jr.. (Attorney Mallory Lynn added to party Todd Lyons(pty:res), Attorney Mallory Lynn added to party Ernesto Santacruz, Jr(pty:res))(Lynn, Mallory) (Entered: 09/09/2026)

#27

Sep 09, 2026

Notice OF INTENDED REMOVAL UPON DISCHARGE OF THE TRANSFER BAR IN THE COURTS JANUARY 29, 2026 ORDER filed by Respondents Todd Lyons, Ernesto Santacruz, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Removal order)(Lynn, Mallory) (Entered: 09/09/2026)

#28

Sep 10, 2026

NOTICE AND ORDER TO ALL PARTIES. - TEXT ONLY ENTRY- The assigned District Judge approves the parties' CONSENT 20 25 to a Magistrate Judge. Accordingly, the case will be reassigned. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (ys) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 09/10/2026)

#29

Sep 10, 2026

SCHEDULING NOTICE TEXT ENTRY ONLY by Judge Anne Hwang. NOTICE AND ORDER TO ALL PARTIES. This action has been fully consented to according to General Order 26-05 and the District Judge has approved the parties' consent. This case is now reassigned to Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo for final disposition. Any appeal shall be taken before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (ys) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 09/10/2026)

#30

Sep 10, 2026

CONSENT TO PROCEED before Magistrate Judge, ALL PARTIES having consented in accordance with Title 28 Section 636(c) and F.R.CIV.P. 73(b), approved by Judge Anne Hwang. Case reassigned to Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo for final disposition. Any appeal shall be taken before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (lh) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 09/10/2026)

Sep 10, 2026

Text Only Scheduling Notice

Sep 10, 2026

Consent to Proceed before US Magistrate Judge - FINAL

Sep 10, 2026

District Judge Response to Immigration 2241 Consent

#31

Sep 11, 2026

First STIPULATION to Dismiss Case pursuant to Joint Stipulation filed by Petitioner Todd Lyons, Santos Natalio Mendoza, Ernesto Santacruz, Jr.(Attorney Rodrigo Marcelo Avendano added to party Todd Lyons(pty:res), Attorney Rodrigo Marcelo Avendano added to party Ernesto Santacruz, Jr(pty:res))(Avendano, Rodrigo) (Entered: 09/11/2026)

Sep 14, 2026

Generic Text Only Entry