Hepple v. Attorney General of the State of New Mexico

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
MATTHEW STEPHEN HEPPLE,
Petitioner,
v. 	No. 2:23-cv-00864-MV-KRS
ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR
THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
Respondent.
ORDER STAYING ANSWER DEADLINE
AND REQUIRING PETITIONER TO SHOW CAUSE
This matter is before the Court on Petitioner Matthew Stephen Hepple’s (“Petitioner”) 28
U.S.C. § 2254 habeas petition (Doc. 1) (hereinafter “Petition”). Petitioner was a state inmate when
he commenced this case and is proceeding pro se. He challenges his state convictions based on,
inter alia, double jeopardy violations. By an Order entered December 19, 2025, the Court directed
Respondent Attorney General for the State of New Mexico (“AG”) to answer the Petition within
sixty days. See (Doc. 7). Thereafter, one mailing was returned as undeliverable with a notation that
forwarding was unavailable. See (Doc. 7). The Court Clerk searched the Federal Bureau of Prisons
electronic database for “Matthew Stephen Hepple” and obtained zero results. Within thirty (30)
days of entry of this Order, Petitioner must advise the Court of his new address, as required by
N.M. LR-Civ. 83.6. See Bradenburg v. Beaman, 632 F.2d 120, 122 (10th Cir. 1980) (“It is
incumbent on litigants, even those proceeding pro se, to follow the federal rules of procedure . . . .
The same is true of simple, nonburdensome local rules. . . .”) (citations omitted). 	Failure to timely
cure this deficiency may result in dismissal of the Petition without further notice. The Court will
also stay the answer deadline until further notice.
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IT IS ORDERED that within thirty (30) days of entry of this Order, Petitioner shall notify
the Clerk of his new address;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the deadline for the AG to file an answer is STAYED
until further Order by the Court.
___________________________________
KEVIN R. SWEAZEA
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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