Western District of Kentucky • 5:26-cv-00266

#1

Sep 21, 2026

PETITION for Writ of Habeas Corpus (filing fee $5, MO# 55428320341), filed by Marco Antonio Espinoza Mendoza. (Attachments: # 1 AO 242 form (petition), # 2 Declaration of Petitioner, # 3 Exhibits) (SMJ) Modified on 9/21/2026 - text added (SMJ). (Entered: 09/21/2026)

#2

Sep 21, 2026

Case Assignment (Random Selection): Case Assigned to Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings. (SMJ) (Entered: 09/21/2026)

#3

Sep 21, 2026

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Petitioner Marco Antonio Espinoza Mendoza. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration) (SMJ) (Entered: 09/21/2026)

#4

Sep 21, 2026

MOTION to Appoint Counsel by Petitioner Marco Antonio Espinoza Mendoza. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration) (SMJ) (Entered: 09/21/2026)

#5

Sep 21, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis by Petitioner Marco Antonio Espinoza Mendoza. (SMJ) (Entered: 09/21/2026)

#6

Sep 21, 2026

NOTICE to Pro se Litigant - The following information is provided to pro se litigants to inform them about rules and procedures governing how they communicate with the Court. (SMJ) (Entered: 09/21/2026)

Sep 21, 2026

Remark (Public)

Sep 21, 2026

REMARK: Electronic notification of the petition and any subsequent order constitutes valid service on all federal respondents named therein as of the date of this remark pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding and Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts, which the Court is applying to these cases. (SMJ)

#7

Sep 22, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE signed by Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings on 9/22/2026 re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. The Clerk of Court shall serve the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky electronically at the following email address: ben.schecter@usdoj.gov. The Clerk of Court shall forward by certified mail, return receipt requested one copy of the petition (Docket No. 1 ) and this Order on Respondent Adam Smith, Christian County Jailer. Show Cause Response due by 9/25/2026. Respondents shall identify whether the case presents a standard "1225/1226" issue covered by Lopez-Campos v. Raycraft, 2026 WL 1283891 (6th Cir. May 11, 2026). And if so, Respondents shall release the petitioner within 5 days. Show Cause Reply due by 10/9/2026. Show Cause Hearing on Petition set for 10/14/2026 at 10:00 AM in Louisville Courtroom before Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings. Petitioner must notify the Court on or before 12:00 PM 10/9/2026, if an interpreter is necessary for the Show Cause Hearing. In conjunction with each of their separate briefs, the Parties shall provide the following documents to the Court as applicable (*see order). As part of their briefs, the Parties shall address the following issues, as applicable (*see order). cc: Counsel, Petitioner-pro se, Respondents (as directed), US Atty-KYWD (as directed) (SMJ) (Entered: 09/22/2026)

#8

Sep 22, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Calesia Henson on behalf of Todd Blanche, Todd M. Lyons, Markwayne Mullin, Sam Olson (Henson, Calesia) (Entered: 09/22/2026)

#9

Sep 22, 2026

NOTICE of Certified Mailing re 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, 7 Order. (SMJ) (Entered: 09/22/2026)

#10

Sep 25, 2026

Response to Order to Show Cause

Sep 25, 2026

Filing Fee Received

#11

Oct 02, 2026

Notice (Other)

#12

Oct 08, 2026

Extension of Time to File Response/Reply AND Miscellaneous Relief AND Release

#13

Oct 08, 2026

Notice of Appearance

#14

Oct 10, 2026

Response to Motion

#15

Oct 10, 2026

Remand

Oct 12, 2026

Order - TEXT ONLY

#17

Oct 13, 2026

Response to Habeas Petition

#18

Oct 27, 2026

Extension of Time to File Response/Reply AND Ruling

#19

Oct 30, 2026

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER Signed by Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings on 10/30/2026. For the reasons set forth above, the Court GRANTS the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (DE 1 ) and ORDERS the following. Respondents are directed to release Peti tioner immediately because of the unlawful detention in violation of his due process rights. The United States must certify compliance with the Court's order by a filing on the docket by 11/2/2026. Espinoza Mendoza's motion to compel ser vice (DE 12 ) is DENIED as moot. Espinoza Mendoza's motion (DE 12 ) for an extension of time to reply and his motion (DE 18 ) for a ruling on his motion at DE 12 are GRANTED. Espinoza Mendoza's motion for immediate release (DE 12 ) is GRANTED. Espinoza Mendoza's motions for a Temporary Restraining Order (DE 3 ), to appoint counsel (DE 4 ), for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (DE 5 ), and for a Spanish interpreter (DE 12 ) are DENIED as moot. cc: Counsel, Petitioner-pro se (SMJ)

#20

Nov 02, 2026

Status Report

#21

Nov 04, 2026

Status Report

#22

Nov 06, 2026

Judgment AND ~Util - Set/Clear Flags