Derek J. Stephens v. Chadwick Dotson

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Norfolk Division DEREK J. STEPHENS, Petitioner, v. Civil Action No. 2:24cv170 CHADWICK DOTSON, Respondent.

FINAL ORDER Before the Court is a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, ECF No. 1, filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, and Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 15. On August 9, 2005, Petitioner was sentenced in the Circuit Court for the City of Portsmouth to a thirty-five year and nine-month term of incarceration for first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, grand larceny, and burglary. In his Petition, the pro se Petitioner alleges that certain amendments to the Virginia Code violate his federal rights.

The matter was referred for disposition to a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 636(b)(1)(B)-(C), Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(b), Local Civil Rule 72, and the April 2, 2002 Standing Order on Assignment of Certain Matters to United States Magistrate Judges. In a Report and Recommendation entered on December 5, 2025, ECF No. 18, the Magistrate Judge recommended the Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss be granted, and the Petition be denied and dismissed with prejudice. The parties were advised of their right to file written objections to the Report and Recommendation. Neither the Petitioner nor the Respondent filed objections with the Court.

Having reviewed the record and having heard no objection, the Court agrees with the Report and Recommendation on the grounds stated by the Magistrate Judge and ADOPTS and APPROVES the Report and Recommendation, ECF No. 18, in its entirety as the Court’s own opinion. Accordingly, the Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 15, is GRANTED, and the Petition, ECF No. 1, is DENIED and DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. It is ORDERED that judgment be entered in favor of the Respondent.

The Petitioner is hereby notified that he may appeal from the judgment entered pursuant to this Final Order by filing a written notice of appeal with the Clerk of the Court at the Walter E.

Hoffman United States Courthouse, 600 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510, within thirty (30) days from the date judgment is entered. Because the Petitioner has failed to demonstrate a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c) and Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 22(b)(1), the Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability. See Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 335-36 (2003).

The Clerk is DIRECTED to forward a copy of this Order to the Petitioner and counsel of record for the Respondent.

It is so ORDERED.

Arenda L. Wright Allen United States District Judge Norfolk, Virginia February 26, 2026