CUNNINGHAM v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA et al

Filing 28

ORDER adopting 23 Report and Recommendations of Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant, granting 14 Motion for Summary Judgment on behalf of Respondent ; denying 19 Motion for Summary Judgment of Petitioner and this matter is dismissed without prejudice due to failure to exhaust administrative remedies. Signed by Honorable Cameron McGowan Currie on 6/1/11.(hhil, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
BEAUFORT DIVISION
Eugene Jerome Cunningham,

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Petitioner,
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v.
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Warden, F.C.I.-Bennettsville,
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Respondent.
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___________________________________ )

C/A NO. 9:10-2105-CMC-BM

OPINION and ORDER

This matter is before the court on Petitioner’s pro se application for writ of habeas corpus,
filed in this court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241.
In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Local Civil Rule 73.02 (B)(2)(c), DSC, this
matter was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant for pre-trial proceedings
and a Report and Recommendation (“Report”). On April 19, 2011, the Magistrate Judge issued a
Report recommending that Defendant’s motion for summary judgment be granted and this matter
be dismissed without prejudice for Petitioner’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies. The
Magistrate Judge advised Petitioner of the procedures and requirements for filing objections to the
Report and the serious consequences if he failed to do so. Petitioner filed objections to the Report
on May 2, 2011.
The Magistrate Judge makes only a recommendation to this court. The recommendation has
no presumptive weight, and the responsibility to make a final determination remains with the court.
See Mathews v. Weber, 423 U.S. 261 (1976). The court is charged with making a de novo
determination of any portion of the Report of the Magistrate Judge to which a specific objection is
made. The court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the recommendation made by

the Magistrate Judge or recommit the matter to the Magistrate Judge with instructions. See 28
U.S.C. § 636(b).
After conducting a de novo review as to the objections made, and considering the record, the
applicable law, the Report and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge, and Petitioner’s
objections, the court agrees with the conclusion of the Magistrate Judge that this matter should be
dismissed.
Petitioner indicates that there are a number of reasons he should be excused from exhaustion
of administrative remedies. See generally Objections (Dkt. #27, filed May 2, 2011). Petitioner
argues that BOP lacks to ability or legal authority to resolve the issue presented by this petition; that
BOP has “predetermine[d]” the outcome of the issue (making exhaustion futile); and that because
he is challenging the “constitutional invalidity of the statute under which he has been prosecuted,”
Obj. at 4, he should be relieved from having to exhaust his administrative remedies.
None of these arguments is persuasive. Petitioner essentially argues he should receive the
benefit of a law passed after he was convicted and sentenced. To the extent Petitioner’s claim does
not challenge the validity of Petitioner’s underlying sentence,1 the application of a particular law to
the execution of a defendant’s criminal sentence is the type of issue which the BOP is uniquely
qualified to ascertain in the first instance. In other words, Petitioner’s failure to exhaust his
administrative remedies is fatal to the outcome of this petition. See McClung v. Shearin, 90 Fed.
App’x 444 (4th Cir. 2004) (Federal prisoners must exhaust their administrative remedies prior to
filing § 2241 petitions).

1

A challenge to Petitioner’s sentence would be more correctly pursued in a motion to vacate
under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Petitioner’s initial pleading was filed in the District Court for the District
of Columbia, ostensibly seeking § 2255 relief. However, that District Court construed Petitioner’s
application as one for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2241, and transferred it to this Court.
2

Therefore, Respondent’s motion for summary judgment is granted, Petitioner’s motion for
summary judgment is denied, and this matter is dismissed without prejudice due to failure to exhaust
administrative remedies. See Bryant v. Rich, 530 F.3d 1368, 1375 n.11 (11th Cir. 2008) (noting that
district court’s dismissal without prejudice on summary judgment motion proper where “neither
party has evidenced that administrative remedies at [the correctional facility] are absolutely time
barred or otherwise clearly infeasible.”).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Cameron McGowan Currie
CAMERON MCGOWAN CURRIE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Columbia, South Carolina
June 1, 2011

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