In Re: Lionell Ephraim

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 12-1407 In re: LIONELL ELIJAH EPHRAIM, a/k/a Lionel Elizah Williams, Petitioner. On Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. (1:11-cv-00107) Submitted: May 24, 2012 Decided: May 30, 2012 Before MOTZ and DAVIS, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge. Petition dismissed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Lionell Elijah Ephraim, Petitioner Pro Se. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. PER CURIAM: Lionel Elijah Ephraim filed a petition for an original writ of habeas corpus challenging his 1991 sentence. This court ordinarily declines to entertain original habeas petitions filed under 28 U.S.C.A. § 2241 (West 2006 & Supp. 2011), and this case provides no reason to depart from the general rule. Moreover, we find that the interests of justice would not be served by transferring the case to the district court. See 28 U.S.C. § 1631 (2006); Fed. R. App. P. 22(a). Accordingly, while we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, we dismiss the petition. We also deny Ephraim’s motion to expedite the proceedings. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process. PETITION DISMISSED 2