Eaton

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 CHRISTOPHER VILLAREAL, No. 2:20-cv-0380-EFB P Petitioner, v. ORDER AND FINDINGS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

PATRICK EATON, Respondent. 16 Petitioner is a state prisoner who, proceeding pro se, seeks a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. He has filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) which makes the required showing and is granted. However, his petition (ECF No. 1), for the reasons stated below, does not state a viable claim. I. Legal Standards The court must dismiss a habeas petition or portion thereof if the prisoner raises claims that are legally “frivolous or malicious” or fail to state a basis on which habeas relief may be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). The court must dismiss a habeas petition “[i]f it plainly appears from the petition and any attached exhibits that the petitioner is not entitled to relief[.]” Rule 4, Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. ///// 28 …