Christopher Thompson v. Chadwick Dotson, Director of the Virginia Department of...

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Norfolk Division CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON (#1536377), Petitioner, v. Case No. 2:25-cv-177 CHADWICK DOTSON, Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections, Respondent.

ORDER Petitioner Christopher Thompsonseeks a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, challenging his 2015 convictions in the Circuit Court for York County and Poquoson, Virginia. ECF No. 1. Respondent Chadwick Dotson, Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections, moved to dismiss the petition. ECF No. 13. The petitioner did not file a response to the motion. Before the Court is an unopposed report and recommendation, in which the Honorable Douglas E. Miller, United States Magistrate Judge, concluded that the petition is untimely, the respondent’s motion to dismiss should be granted, and this matter should be dismissed. ECF No. 21.

Judge Miller advised the parties of their rights to object to his findings and recommendations and explained that failure to timely object would result in a waiver of appeal from a judgment of this Court based on such findings and recommendations.

ECF No. 21 at 8–9 (citing 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b); Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Carr v. Hutto, 737 F.2d 433 (4th Cir. 1984); United States v. Schronce, 727 F. 2d 91 (4th Cir. 1984)). The time to file an objection has expired, and neither party objected to the report and recommendation.

In the absence of a specific written objection, this Court may adopt a magistrate judge’s recommendations without conducting a de novo review, unless the recommendations are clearly erroneous or contrary to law. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2); Orpiano v. Johnson, 687 F.2d 44, 47 (4th Cir. 1982) (citations omitted); Diamond v. Colonial Life & Accident Ins. Co., 416 F.3d 310, 316 (4th Cir. 2005).

The Court has reviewed Judge Miller’s findings and recommendations and found no clear error. Accordingly, the report and recommendation (ECF No. 21) is ADOPTED.

The respondent’s motion to dismiss (ECF No. 13) is GRANTED.

This action is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.

IT IS SO ORDERED. GY /s/ Jamar K. Walker United States District Judge Norfolk, Virginia January 13, 2026