IN RE: Franklin C. SMITH (2019)

Franklin C. Smith petitions for a writ of mandamus, seeking an order compelling “Robert Mueller and all his independent (F.B.I.) offices across the United States to place an immediate halt on all the State and Federal Informant Systems.” He also seeks a list of all informants operating in Virginia Beach, Virginia on August 23 to August 24, 2016.

Mandamus relief is a drastic remedy and should be used only in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. U.S. Dist. Court, 426 U.S. 394, 402, 96 S.Ct. 2119, 48 L.Ed.2d 725 (1976); United States v. Moussaoui, 333 F.3d 509, 516-17 (4th Cir. 2003). Further, mandamus relief is available only when the petitioner has a clear right to the relief sought, and the respondent has a has a clear duty to perform the requested act. Cumberland Cty. Hosp. Sys., Inc. v. Burwell, 816 F.3d 48, 52 (4th Cir. 2016).

The relief sought by Smith is not available by way of mandamus. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, we deny the petition. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED

PER CURIAM:

Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.