The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Norfolk Division
SEAN R. BROWN, #1083630,
Petitioner,
v. CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:19cv370
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 28 U.S.C. §
2254, ECF No. 6, and the Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss. ECF No. 12. In his Petition, the pro
se Petitioner alleges violation of federal rights pertaining to his convictions in the Virginia Beach
Circuit Court for Murder, Abduction with the Intent to Extort Money, Robbery and Conspiracy.
As a result of the convictions, Petitioner was sentenced to serve a total of 80 years in prison with
30 years suspended.
The Petition was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge for report and
recommendation pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(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 was filed April 10, 2020 and recommends
dismissal of the Petition without prejudice. ECF No. 17. On April 23, 2020, 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 has reviewed the record and examined the objections filed by Petitioner to the
Report and Recommendation. The Court has also made de novo findings with respect to the
portions objected to, and does hereby ADOPT and APPROVE the findings and recommendations
set forth in the Report and Recommendation filed April 10, 2020. It is, therefore, ORDERED that
the Respondent’s Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 12, is GRANTED, and that the Petition, ECF No.
6, is DENIED and DISMISSED WITHOUT 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. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c);
see Rules Gov. § 2254 Cases in U.S. Dist. Cts. 11(a); Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 335–38
(2003); Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 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
May 15, 2020
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