UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Norfolk Division

STEVEN JONES, #1893310,

Petitioner,

v. Civil Action No. 2:21cv176

HAROLD W. CLARKE, Director, Virginia Department of Corrections,

Respondent.

FINAL ORDER Before the Court is a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus filed pursuant to

, ECF No. 4, and the Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss. ECF No. 8. In his Petition, the pro se Petitioner alleges violation of federal rights pertaining to his convictions in the Southampton County Circuit Court for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and possession of marijuana. As a result of the convictions, Petitioner was sentenced to serve fifteen years and thirty days, respectively, with nine years suspended. The Petition was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge for report and recommendation pursuant to the provisions of

(b)(1)(B) and (C) and Local Civil Rule 72 of the Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation filed June 22, 2022, recommends dismissal of the Petition with prejudice. ECF No. 16. On July 13, 2022, Petitioner timely filed objections to the Report and Recommendation. Respondent has not responded to Petitioner’s objections and the time to do so has expired. The Court, having reviewed the record and examined the objections filed by Petitioner to the Report and Recommendation, and having made de novo findings with respect to the portions objected to, does hereby ADOPT and APPROVE the findings and recommendations set forth in the Report and Recommendation filed June 22, 2022. It is, therefore, ORDERED that the Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 8, be GRANTED, and that the Petition, ECF No. 4, be DENIED and DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. It is further ORDERED that judgment be

entered in favor of the Respondent. Finding that the procedural basis for dismissal of Petitioner’s § 2254 petition is not debatable, and alternatively finding that Petitioner has not made a “substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right,” a certificate of appealability is DENIED.

(c); see Rules Gov. § 2254 Cases in U.S. Dist. Cts. 11(a); Miller-El v. Cockrell,

, 335–38 (2003); Slack v. McDaniel,

, 483–85 (2000). Petitioner is ADVISED that because a certificate of appealability is denied by this Court, he may seek a certificate from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Fed. Rule App. Proc. 22(b); Rules Gov. § 2254 Cases in U.S. Dist. Cts. 11(a). If Petitioner intends to seek a certificate of appealability from the Fourth Circuit, he must do so within thirty (30) days from

the date of this Order. Petitioner may seek such a certificate by filing a written notice of appeal with the Clerk of the United States District Court, United States Courthouse, 600 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. The Clerk shall forward a copy of this Order to Petitioner and to counsel of record for the Respondent. It is so ORDERED.

_______________/s/___________________ Arenda L. Wright Allen United States District Judge Norfolk, Virginia September 13, 2022

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