Jerome Meraz v. Scott Jackson, Judge, Carroll County Circuit Court; Sara...

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS CENTRAL DIVISION JEROME MERAZ PLAINTIFF ADC #113295 v. No. 4:25-cv-738-DPM SCOTT JACKSON, Judge, Carroll County Circuit Court; SARA HUCKABEE, Governor, Arkansas State Capitol; DEXTER PAYNE, Director, ADC; and MICHELLE GREY, Warden, Delta Regional DEFENDANTS ORDER On de novo review, the Court adopts the Magistrate Judge Ervin’s recommendation, Doc. 18, and overrules Meraz’s objections, Doc. 19.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(3). Meraz’s allegations of actual innocence aren’t enough to overcome his procedural default or entitle him to a hearing.

Weeks v. Bowersox, 119 F.3d 1342, 1351–55 (8th Cir. 1997) (en banc).

Claims one and two of the § 2254 petition will be dismissed with prejudice as procedurally defaulted. Claim three will be dismissed without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The Court denies a certificate of appealability. 28 U.S.C. § 2253; Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336 (2003).

So Ordered.

D.P. Marshall Jr. United States District Judge January 2026 _2-