Preacher v. Holder et al

Filing 2

MEMORANDUM DECISION & ORDER It is Ordered that Luke Ammon Preacher's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (Dkt. 1 ) be TRANSFERRED to the District of Colorado and that this case be closed. Signed by Judge B. Lynn Winmill. (caused to be mailed to non Registered Participants at the addresses listed on the Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) by (jp)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF IDAHO

LUKE AMMON PREACHER,
Case No. 4:14-cv-00295-BLW
Plaintiff,

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND
ORDER

v.
ERIC J. HOLDER, JR. and D.
BERKOBILE, Warden,
Respondents.

Pending before the Court is Luke Ammon Preacher’s (“Preacher”) Petition for
Writ of Habeas Corpus Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (Dkt. 1). For the reasons set forth
below, the Court enters the following Order transferring the Petition to the District of
Colorado.
BACKGROUND
On December 18, 2000, the Court sentenced Preacher to a term of imprisonment
of 168 months for the offense of aggravated sexual abuse of a child committed within
Indian Country in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2241(c) and 1153. Judgment, Dkt. 16 in
Case No. 4:00-cr-00064-BLW. At the time he filed the Petition, he was an inmate at the
United States Penitentiary ADMAX facility in Florence, Colorado. Petition, Dkt. 1-2.
MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER - 1

Preacher’s Petition contains three claims. The first and third claims request a
change in release date to April 25, 2014 from December 18, 2014 and release pursuant to
that change. The second claim is unclear. It simply states that 18 U.S.C. § 4246, which
addresses hospitalization of a person due for release but suffering from a mental disease
or defect, was impliedly repealed by 18 U.S.C. § 4248, which addresses civil
commitment of a sexually dangerous person. As best the Court can determine, Petitioner
is challenging a proceeding under § 4246. However, it may be that he is challenging a
proceeding instituted under § 4248 as well.
DISCUSSION
1.

Sentence Calculation
A petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 is the

mechanism for challenging “the manner, location, or condition under which a sentence is
executed” and must be filed in the custodial court. Harrison v. Ollison, 519 F.3d 952,
956 (citing Hernandez v. Campbell, 204 F.3d 861, 864 (9th Cir. 2000)). On the other
hand, challenges to the legality of a sentence are filed in the sentencing court pursuant to
28 U.S.C. § 2255. Id.
Here, Preacher appears to be challenging the Bureau of Prison’s calculation of his
sentence in light of the Court’s recommendation that he be given credit for time served in
tribal court. Petition, Ex. A., Sent. Tr. Excerpt, Dkt. 1-1. He is not challenging the
legality of the sentence.

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER - 2

Although a court may recommend credit for time served, it is the responsibility of
the Bureau of Prisons rather than the district court to calculate that credit. See United
States v. Wilson, 503 U.S. 329, 333 (1992). In order to challenge the Bureau of Prisons’
decision regarding credit for time served, a prisoner must first exhaust his administrative
remedies within the Bureau of Prisons. See United States v. Pardue, 363 F.3d 695, 699
(8th Cir. 2004); Rogers v. United States, 180 F.3d 349, 358 (1st Cir. 1999); 28 C.F.R. ss.
542.10 to 542.16. He may then seek judicial review of any adverse decision by filing a
habeas petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 in the United States District Court in the district
in which he is incarcerated. Id.
Here, Preacher indicates that he has exhausted his administrative remedies.
Petition at 2. Hence, assuming he did so, he properly filed a § 2241 petition. The Court
notes that Preacher properly named the Warden as a Respondent. However, he filed the
petition in the sentencing court rather than the custodial court.
2.

Hospitalization or Commitment Issue
As stated above, it is unclear to the Court what Preacher is asserting in his second

claim. However, whether he is challenging a proceeding instituted pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
§ 4246 or one instituted pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4248, that challenge cannot be made
before this Court. Proceedings under either statute are commenced in the court in the
district in which a prisoner is incarcerated. See 18 U.S.C. § 4246(a) and § 4248(a).
Accordingly, if a proceeding has been commenced against Preacher under either statute,

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER - 3

it would have been in the District of Colorado and any challenge must be made in that
jurisdiction.
ORDER
IT IS ORDERED that Luke Ammon Preacher’s Petition for Writ of Habeas
Corpus Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 (Dkt. 1) be TRANSFERRED to the District of
Colorado and that this case be closed.

DATED: October 14, 2014

_________________________
B. Lynn Winmill
Chief Judge
United States District Court

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER - 4