Correspondent
Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Jose Cutberto Arellano-Alvarado for illegal reentry. The court held that the defendant's constitutional challenge to the statutory sentencing enhancement was foreclosed by existing precedent.
The Fifth Circuit granted the appointed attorney's motion to withdraw and dismissed the appeal due to an insufficiently developed record. The court also denied the defendant's pro se motion to appoint new counsel as untimely.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Samuel Sweeley in an unpublished per curiam opinion. The court declined to address a potential error regarding a drug testing payment condition because the defendant did not challenge that specific aspect of his sentence.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Jose Ismael Ramirez-Gonzalez for illegal reentry and firearm possession by an alien. The court found ample evidence supported the jury's verdict and rejected challenges regarding the admission of a 911 call.
The Fifth Circuit granted the Federal Public Defender's motion to withdraw from representing Charles Dandraon Seaton. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Michael Celestine for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court held that Celestine's constitutional challenges to the statute were foreclosed by existing precedent.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted Starbucks Corporation's petition for review and vacated the National Labor Relations Board's decision. The court held that the Board failed to adequately consider contradictory evidence regarding the termination of a union organizer.
The Eleventh Circuit granted the government's motion to dismiss an appeal filed by Steven Andrew Holguin. The court held that Holguin's valid sentence-appeal waiver in his plea agreement foreclosed his challenge to his conviction and sentence.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the sentence of a defendant convicted of illegal reentry after deportation. The court held that the defendant's constitutional challenge to the sentencing enhancement was foreclosed by existing Supreme Court precedent.
The Ninth Circuit granted in part, denied in part, and remanded a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision. The court found substantial evidence did not support the agency's conclusion that the petitioner's paraplegia was not a reason for his fear of future harm.
