Matthew Stephen Hepple v. Attorney General for the State of New Mexico

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO

MATTHEW STEPHEN HEPPLE, Petitioner, v. No. 2:23-cv-00864-MV-KRS ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO Respondent.

ORDER STAYING ANSWER DEADLINE AND REQUIRING PETITIONER TO SHOW CAUSE This matter is before the Court on Petitioner Matthew Stephen Hepple’s (“Petitioner”) 28 U.S.C. § 2254 habeas petition (Doc. 1) (hereinafter “Petition”). Petitioner was a state inmate when he commenced this case and is proceeding pro se. He challenges his state convictions based on, inter alia, double jeopardy violations. By an Order entered December 19, 2025, the Court directed Respondent Attorney General for the State of New Mexico (“AG”) to answer the Petition within sixty days. See (Doc. 7). Thereafter, one mailing was returned as undeliverable with a notation that forwarding was unavailable. See (Doc. 7). The Court Clerk searched the Federal Bureau of Prisons electronic database for “Matthew Stephen Hepple” and obtained zero results. Within thirty (30) days of entry of this Order, Petitioner must advise the Court of his new address, as required by N.M. LR-Civ. 83.6. See Bradenburg v. Beaman, 632 F.2d 120, 122 (10th Cir. 1980) (“It is incumbent on litigants, even those proceeding pro se, to follow the federal rules of procedure . . . .

The same is true of simple, nonburdensome local rules. . . .”) (citations omitted). Failure to timely cure this deficiency may result in dismissal of the Petition without further notice. The Court will also stay the answer deadline until further notice.

IT IS ORDERED that within thirty (30) days of entry of this Order, Petitioner shall notify the Clerk of his new address; IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the deadline for the AG to file an answer is STAYED until further Order by the Court.

KEVIN R. SWEAZEA UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE