Zuniga et al v. Venturella et al
Petitioner: Denis Eduardo Zuniga and Melquis Sedec Contreras
Respondent: David Venturella, Markwayne Mullin, Todd Blanche, David Kluemper, Kenneth Barnett and John Rife
Case Number: 3:2026cv00421
Filed: June 24, 2026
Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Presiding Judge: Omar J Aboulhosn
Referring Judge: Robert C Chambers
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause of Action: 28 U.S.C. ยง 2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federal)
Jury Demanded By: None
Docket Report

This docket was last retrieved on June 29, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.

Date Filed Document Text
June 24, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 5 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE directing that: Respondents shall file a written response to show cause as to why the #1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241) should not be granted by 6/27/2026 at 12:00 PM; the response shall indicate whether Respondents have a good faith basis to assert that they will present arguments in this case that have not previously been considered and rejected by this Court; Petitioners shall have an opportunity to file a reply by 6/29/2026 at 8:30 AM; this matter shall be heard by this Court on 6/29/2026 at 3:30 PM in Huntington before Judge Robert C. Chambers; to the extent Respondents intend to assert that jurisdiction and/or venue in the Southern District of West Virginia is improper in this case, Respondents shall file any such objections within twenty-four hours of entry of this Order, as more fully set forth herein; Petitioners shall file any reply to any filed objections no later than twenty-four hours following Respondents' filing; Respondents shall not remove or facilitate the removal of Petitioners from the Southern District of West Virginia pending further order of the Court, as more fully set forth herein; Respondents shall afford Petitioners the opportunity to confidentially consult with counsel so long as they remain in custody and shall facilitate future requests for communication within twenty-four hours of counsel's requests; upon receipt of this Order, Respondents shall promptly ensure that all of Petitioners' property seized incident to detention is accounted for and that all such property can be immediately made available to Petitioners in the event Petitioners are released, as more fully set forth herein; service of this Order shall be made by Petitioners on the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia by 6:00 PM on 6/24/2026, and shall constitute good and sufficient service on Respondents. Signed by Judge Robert C. Chambers on 6/24/2026. (cc: counsel of record; any unrepresented parties) (skm)
June 24, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 4 STANDING ORDER IN RE: ASSIGNMENT AND REFERRAL OF CIVIL ACTIONS AND MATTERS TO MAGISTRATE JUDGES ENTERED SEPTEMBER 1, 2024. This case is referred to Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn for Findings of Fact and Recommendations for disposition. (cc: counsel of record; any pro se party) (ts)
June 24, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 3 MOTION by Melquis Sedec Contreras, Denis Eduardo Zuniga for Order to Show Cause re: and Immediate Order Preventing Removal of Transfer of Petitioner Pending Disposition of Petition (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)(Brown, Sarah)
June 24, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 2 EXHIBITS by Melquis Sedec Contreras, Denis Eduardo Zuniga in support of #1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (2241),. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit B, #2 Exhibit C, #3 Exhibit D, #4 Exhibit E)(Brown, Sarah)
June 24, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 1 PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS by Denis Eduardo Zuniga, Melquis Sedec Contreras against David Venturella, Markwayne Mullin, Todd Blanche, David Kluemper, Kenneth Barnett, John Rife pursuant to Title 28, United States Code, Section 2241. Filing Fee $5. Receipt # AWVSDC-9130130. (Attachment: #1 Civil Cover Sheet) (skm)
June 24, 2026 Opinion or Order CASE assigned to Judge Robert C. Chambers. (ts)

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Search for this case: Zuniga et al v. Venturella et al
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Petitioner: Denis Eduardo Zuniga
Represented By: Sarah K. Brown
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Petitioner: Melquis Sedec Contreras
Represented By: Sarah K. Brown
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Respondent: David Venturella
Represented By: Moore Capito
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Respondent: Markwayne Mullin
Represented By: Moore Capito
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Respondent: Todd Blanche
Represented By: Moore Capito
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Respondent: David Kluemper
Represented By: Moore Capito
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Respondent: Kenneth Barnett
Represented By: Moore Capito
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Respondent: John Rife
Represented By: Moore Capito
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