Revia v. Director, TDCJ-CID

Filing 17

MEMORANDUM ORDER overruling petitioner's objections and adopting the magistate judge's 14 Report and Recommendation. Signed by Judge Marcia A. Crone on 3/28/2016. (bjc, )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

THOMAS AMILE REVIA,

EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS

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Petitioner,
versus
DIRECTOR, TDCJ-CID,
Respondent.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:15-CV-115

MEMORANDUM ORDER OVERRULING PETITIONER’S OBJECTIONS AND
ADOPTING THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Petitioner Thomas Amile Revia, a prisoner confined at the Bridgeport Correctional Center,
proceeding pro se, filed this petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.
The court referred this matter to the Honorable Keith F. Giblin, United States Magistrate
Judge, at Beaumont, Texas, for consideration pursuant to applicable laws and orders of this court.
The magistrate judge recommends dismissing the petition as barred by the statute of limitations.
The court has received and considered the Report and Recommendation of United States
Magistrate Judge, along with the record, pleadings, and all available evidence. The petitioner
filed objections to the magistrate judge’s Report and Recommendation.
The court has conducted a de novo review of the objections in relation to the pleadings and
the applicable law. See FED. R. CIV. P. 72(b). After careful consideration, the court concludes
the objections are without merit.
Citing McQuiggin v. Perkins,

U.S.

, 133 S. Ct. 1924 (2013), the petitioner contends

that he meets an equitable exception to the statute of limitations because he is actually innocent of
the sex offender conditions of his release to mandatory supervision. Actual innocence, if proved,

excuses procedural bars to federal habeas review of constitutional claims. Id. at 1928. To pass
through the actual innocence gateway, the petitioner must show that, in light of new, reliable
evidence, no jury would have found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. Because the
standard is so difficult to meet, valid claims of actual innocence are rare. Id.
The petitioner contends that he was not convicted of a sex offense and, therefore, the Texas
Board of Pardons and Paroles erroneously imposed conditions of release meant for sex offenders.
These allegations do not meet the petitioner’s burden of proving he is actually innocent of the
offense, and they are not based on newly discovered evidence. Thus, the petitioner’s failure to
file his petition within the statute of limitations is not excused.
Additionally, the petitioner is not entitled to the issuance of a certificate of appealability.
An appeal from a judgment denying federal habeas corpus relief may not proceed unless a judge
issues a certificate of appealability. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253; FED. R. APP. P. 22(b). The standard
for granting a certificate of appealability, like that for granting a certificate of probable cause to
appeal under prior law, requires the petitioner to make a substantial showing of the denial of a
federal constitutional right. See Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 483-84 (2000); Elizalde v.
Dretke, 362 F.3d 323, 328 (5th Cir. 2004); see also Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893
(1982). In making that substantial showing, the petitioner need not establish that he should prevail
on the merits. Rather, he must demonstrate that the issues are subject to debate among jurists of
reason, that a court could resolve the issues in a different manner, or that the questions presented
are worthy of encouragement to proceed further. See Slack, 529 U.S. at 483-84; Avila v.
Quarterman, 560 F.3d 299, 304 (5th Cir. 2009). Any doubt regarding whether to grant a
certificate of appealability is resolved in favor of the petitioner, and the severity of the penalty may

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be considered in making this determination. See Miller v. Johnson, 200 F.3d 274, 280-81 (5th
Cir. 2000).
The petitioner has not shown that any of the issues raised by his claims are subject to
debate among jurists of reason. The questions presented are not worthy of encouragement to
proceed further. Therefore, the petitioner has failed to make a sufficient showing to merit the
issuance of a certificate of appealability.
ORDER
Accordingly, the petitioner’s objections (#16) are OVERRULED. The findings of fact
and conclusions of law of the magistrate judge are correct, and the report of the magistrate judge
(#14) is ADOPTED. A final judgment will be entered in this case in accordance with the
magistrate .judge’s recommendation. A certificate of appealability will not be issued.
SIGNED at Beaumont, Texas, this 7th day of September, 2004.

SIGNED at Plano, Texas, this 28th day of March, 2016.

________________________________________
MARCIA A. CRONE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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