ORDER

STEVEN D. MERRYDAY, District Judge.

Thomas moves to vacate under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Doc. 1) and challenges the validity of his convictions for (1) conspiring to possess fifty grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute, (2) possessing fifty grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and (3) maintaining a place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using cocaine. Thomas is imprisoned for life.

Rule 4, Rules Governing Section 2255 Cases, requires both a preliminary review of the motion to vacate and a summary dismissal "[i]f it plainly appears from the face of the motion, any attached exhibits, and the record of prior proceedings that the moving party is not entitled to relief . . . ." Accord Wright v. United States, 624 F.2d 557, 558 (5th Cir. 1980)* (finding the summary dismissal of a Section 2255 motion was proper "[b]ecause in this case the record, uncontradicted by [defendant], shows that he is not entitled to relief"); Hart v. United States, 565 F.2d 360, 361 (5th Cir. 1978) ("Rule 4(b) [Rules Governing § 2255 Proceedings], allows the district court to summarily dismiss the motion and notify the movant if `it plainly appears from the face of the motion and any annexed exhibits and the prior proceedings in the case that the movant is not entitled to relief . . . .'"). Thomas's motion is barred.

Thomas's earlier challenge to this same conviction was denied on the merits in 8:05-cv-580-T-23TBM. (Doc. 14 and 17) Both the district court and the circuit court declined to issue a certificate of appealability. (Doc. 21 and 23) The Supreme Court denied Thomas's petition for a writ of certiorari. (Doc. 25) Thomas is precluded from pursuing a second or successive motion without permission from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. "Before a second or successive application permitted by this section is filed in the district court, the applicant shall move in the appropriate court of appeals for an order authorizing the district court to consider the application." 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(3)(A). Felker v. Turpin, 518 U.S. 651, 664 (1996); Dunn v. Singletary, 168 F.3d 440, 442 (11th Cir. 1999). The earlier denial of his motion to vacate precludes Thomas from again challenging either his conviction or his sentence. Felker, 518 U.S. at 664 ("The new restrictions on successive petitions constitute a modified res judicata rule, a restraint on what is called in habeas corpus practice `abuse of the writ.'").

This new action is, therefore, a second or successive action that is subject to specific restrictions. Section 2255(h) provides as follows:

Thomas asserts entitlement to the retroactive application of Donawa v. United States, 735 F.3d 1275 (11th Cir. 2013), and Descamps v. United States, 133 S.Ct. 2276 (2013). Thomas cannot proceed with a second or successive motion to vacate based on Donawa, which is a circuit court decision, because Section 2255(h)(2) requires both the establishment of a new rule of constitutional law by the Supreme Court and the retroactive application of that new rule by the Supreme Court. Based on Descamps, Thomas must obtain permission from the circuit court to pursue a second or successive motion to vacate. Thomas fails to establish that he possesses the necessary authorization from the circuit court.

Accordingly, the motion to vacate under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED. The clerk must close this case.

DENIAL OF BOTH A CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY AND LEAVE TO APPEAL IN FORMA PAUPERIS

Thomas is not entitled to a certificate of appealability ("COA"). A prisoner seeking a writ of habeas corpus has no absolute entitlement to appeal a district court's denial of his petition. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1). Rather, a district court must first issue a COA. Section 2253(c)(2) permits issuing a COA "only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right." To merit a certificate of appealability, Thomas must show that reasonable jurists would find debatable both (1) the merits of the underlying claims and (2) the procedural issues he seeks to raise. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2); Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 478 (2000); Eagle v. Linahan, 279 F.3d 926, 935 (11th Cir 2001). Because the motion to vacate is clearly second or successive, Thomas is entitled to neither a COA nor leave to appeal in forma pauperis.

Accordingly, a certificate of appealability is DENIED. Leave to appeal in forma pauperis is DENIED. Thomas must obtain permission from the circuit court to appeal in forma pauperis.

ORDERED.