District of Nevada • 2:26-cv-00673

#1

Mar 09, 2026

MOTION/APPLICATION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Petitioner Daniel Molinar Mendez.. (Attachments: # 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, # 2 Motion for Appointment of Counsel)(HAM) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

#2

Mar 10, 2026

NOTICE from USDC advising case against Pamela Bondi, et al., has been received and assigned case number 2:26-cv-00673-RFB-BNW. (HAM) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

#3

Mar 10, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE Initially, the Court finds that good cause exists to grant Petitioner's IFP Application. As such, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED the IFP Application (ECF No. 1 ) is GRANTED. Additionally, the Court finds that the appointment of counsel is in the interest of justice, as this case necessarily implicates a complex web of detention authority developed specifically for noncitizens. See Torres v. Barr, 976 F.3d 918, 924 (9th Cir. 2020) (describing the Immigration and Nationality Act as: a "morass;" a "Gordian knot;" and "King Minos's labyrinth in ancient Crete.") (citations omitted). Accordingly, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 1 -2) is GRANTED. The Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada ("FPD") is HEREBY APPOINTED to represent Petitioner Daniel Molinar Mendez and is directed to file a notice of appearance by March 12, 2026. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED Petitioner, with the assistance of counsel, must file an amended petition for a writ of habeas corpus by March 16, 2026. Alternatively, the FPD may notify the Court that it is unable to represent Petitioner. If the FPD is unable to represent Petitioner based on a conflict of interest, or for any other reason, alternate counsel will be appointed. Appointed counsel will represent Petitioner in all federal proceedings related to this matter, including any appeals or certiorari proceedings, unless appointed counsel is allowed to withdraw. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court will send a copy of this Order to the FPD and the CJA coordinator for this division. Furthermore, the Court has reviewed the Petition (ECF No. 1 -1) and preliminarily finds Petitioner can likely demonstrate that his circumstances warrant the same relief this Court ordered for Petitioners Mena-Vargas and Reyes-Lopez in Escobar Salgado v. Mattos, No. 2:25-cv-01872-RFB-EJY, 2025 WL 3205356 (D. Nev. Nov. 17, 2025) (No. 25). Therefore, Respondents are ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE why the writ should not be granted. See 28 U.S.C. § 2243. Respondents must file "a return certifying the true cause of detention" by March 19, 2026. See id. Petitioner may file a traverse on or before March 22, 2026. See Order to Show Cause for additional information. Signed by Judge Richard F. Boulware, II on 3/10/2026. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF. CC: CJA. A copy of the Petition (ECF No. 1 -1) and this Order distributed as instructed. - RJDG) (Entered: 03/10/2026)

Mar 10, 2026

Case randomly assigned to Judge Richard F. Boulware, II and Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler. Nature of Suit: 463 - Habeas Immigration (HAM)

Mar 10, 2026

Assign Judges in Civil Case

#4

Mar 12, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Ashlyn Nicole Saenz-Ochoa on behalf of Petitioner Daniel Molinar Mendez. (Saenz-Ochoa, Ashlyn) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

#5

Mar 12, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Virginia Tomova on behalf of Respondents Michael Bernacke, Pamela J. Bondi, Todd Lyons, Kerri Ann Quihuis. (Tomova, Virginia) (Entered: 03/12/2026)

Mar 12, 2026

Withdraw Counsel

Mar 12, 2026

Attorney update in case: Attorney Sylvia A. Irvin withdrawn from the case. (Irvin, Sylvia)

#6

Mar 13, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney James Sweetin on behalf of Respondents Michael Bernacke, Pamela J. Bondi, Todd Lyons, Kerri Ann Quihuis. (Sweetin, James) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

#7

Mar 16, 2026

STIPULATION and Order for Extension of Time to File First Amended Petition and Response re 3 Order on Motion/Application to Proceed in forma pauperis,,,,,,,,,,, Order Appointing Counsel,,,,,,,,,, by Petitioner Daniel Molinar Mendez.. (Saenz-Ochoa, Ashlyn) (other) (pleading) (Entered: 03/16/2026)

#8

Mar 17, 2026

MINUTE ORDER IN CHAMBERS of the Honorable Judge Richard F. Boulware, II on 3/17/2026. Good cause appearing, 7 Stipulation is HEREBY GRANTED. Petitioner's due date to file a first amended petition is extended by two weeks, up to and including March 30, 2026. Respondents may file a return on or before April 6, 2026, and Petitioner may file a traverse on or before April 10, 2026, accordingly.(Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - CMB) (Entered: 03/17/2026)

Mar 17, 2026

Minute Order AND Order on Stipulation

#9

Mar 30, 2026

First AMENDED PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Daniel Molinar Mendez. No changes to parties. (Saenz-Ochoa, Ashlyn) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

#10

Apr 06, 2026

RESPONSE to 9 Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Respondents Michael Bernacke, Pamela J. Bondi, Todd Lyons, Kerri Ann Quihuis. (Attachments: # 1 Index, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E)(Sweetin, James) (Entered: 04/06/2026)

#11

Apr 06, 2026

MOTION to Seal Document, 10 Response,, by Respondents Michael Bernacke, Pamela J. Bondi, Todd Lyons, Kerri Ann Quihuis. Responses are due by 4/20/2026. (Sweetin, James) (Entered: 04/06/2026)

#13

Apr 06, 2026

RESPONSE to 8 Order on Stipulation,, Minute Order, 9 Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Respondent John Mattos. (Hesman, Ashlee) (Entered: 04/06/2026)

#14

Apr 10, 2026

REPLY to 13 Response by Petitioner Daniel Molinar Mendez. (Saenz-Ochoa, Ashlyn) (Entered: 04/10/2026)

#15

Apr 10, 2026

EXHIBIT to 14 Reply by Petitioner Daniel Molinar Mendez. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 01)(Saenz-Ochoa, Ashlyn) (Entered: 04/10/2026)

#16

Apr 22, 2026

ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS. IT IS ORDERED that Petitioner's 9 Amended Petition is GRANTED. Defendants must IMMEDIATELY RELEASE Petitioner from detention on his own recognizance, but by no later than 12:00 P.M. on Apr il 23, 2026. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents' 11 Motion to Seal is GRANTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Parties shall file a joint status report by April 24, 2026, confirming Respondents' compliance with this Order, and P etitioner's release from detention. The Clerk of Court is kindly instructed to enter judgment accordingly and close this case. See order for further details. Signed by Judge Richard F. Boulware, II on 4/22/2026. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - AMMi)

#17

Apr 22, 2026

JUDGMENT in favor of Daniel Molinar Mendez against John Mattos, Kerri Ann Quihuis, Michael Bernacke, Pamela J. Bondi, Todd Lyons. The amended petition for writ of habeas corpus is granted. Signed by Clerk of Court Debra K. Kempi on 4/22/2026. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - AMMi) (Entered: 04/22/2026)

#18

Apr 24, 2026

Joint STATUS REPORT by Petitioner Daniel Molinar Mendez. (Saenz-Ochoa, Ashlyn) (Entered: 04/24/2026)