CASTINE v. WARDEN

Filing 8

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb on 8/27/2024. (dmr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
CAMDEN VICINAGE
THEODORE J. CASTINE,
Petitioner
v.
RACHEL THOMPSON,
Warden FCI Fort Dix,
Respondent

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CIV. NO. 24-515 (RMB)
MEMORANDUM OPINION

IT APPEARING THAT:
1.

On or about January 29, 2024, Petitioner Theodore J. Castine, a prisoner

confined in the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, filed a
petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, seeking application of earned
Time Credits under the First Step Act (“FSA Time Credits”). (Pet., Dkt. No. 1.) The
Court ordered Respondent to file an answer to the petition. (Order, Dkt. No. 2.)
2.

Respondent filed an answer to the petition on April 8, 2024, opposing

relief because Petitioner was ineligible to earn FSA Time Credits due to his conviction
under 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). (Dkt. No. 4.) Petitioner filed a reply brief on May 2, 2024.
(Dkt. No. 5.)
3.

On August 12, 2024, Respondent filed a letter brief, recommending

dismissal of the petition as moot because the Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) released
Petitioner from custody on July 2024, via good time credits. (Declaration of Christina
Clark, Ex. 1, Dkt. No. 7-1.)

4.

“If developments occur during the course of adjudication that eliminate

a plaintiff's personal stake in the outcome of a suit or prevent a court from being able
to grant the requested relief, the case must be dismissed as moot.” Blanciak v. Allegheny
Ludlum Corp., 77 F.3d 690, 698–99 (3d Cir. 1996).
5.

The petition no longer presents a live case or controversy. Therefore, the

Court will dismiss this matter as moot.

An accompanying Order follows.
DATE: August 27, 2024
s/Renée Marie Bumb
RENÉE MARIE BUMB
Chief United States District Judge