NEWARK, NJ – A federal judge has dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a former Fort Dix inmate who claimed the Bureau of Prisons wrongly denied him earned time credits under the First Step Act — because the man is no longer in custody.

Martin Reyes, who filed his petition in June seeking immediate relief over allegedly miscalculated release dates, was released from federal custody on July 29, weeks before the court could rule on the matter. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel ruled the case is now moot under Article III of the Constitution, which requires a live controversy for a federal court to retain jurisdiction.

Reyes argued that prison officials at Fort Dix improperly placed him in “refusal” status, making him ineligible for time credits that could have shortened h

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