James Taylor

Correspondent

James Taylor

Capitol Hill correspondent, covers legislative and political stories.

Criminal Justice

Decisions covered by James Taylor

1,506 decisions
Mar 9 2026
6th Cir. 25-1358 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. PHILLIP CLAUDIUS GRAY

The Sixth Circuit affirmed a 21-month prison sentence for Phillip Gray, who violated supervised release conditions through repeated drug use and combative behavior. The court found no procedural or substantive error, noting the district court adequately considered Gray's psychiatric history while prioritizing public safety and the need for custodial monitoring.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 9 2026
11th Cir. 8:22-cr-00407-SDM-UAM-2 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANDREA MITCHELL LESTER BEST

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions and sentences of Andrea Mitchell and Lester Best, rejecting challenges to the sufficiency of evidence for aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. The court further upheld a four-level sentencing enhancement for Best, finding he acted as an organizer or leader of the fraudulent scheme.

Criminal Fraud Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 9 2026
11th Cir. 1:22-cr-20473-DPG-2 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSE SALAS-BORREGO

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the defendant's convictions for drug conspiracy and possession aboard a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. The court rejected all constitutional challenges regarding the statute's reach in exclusive economic zones and its definition of stateless vessels.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 9 2026
11th Cir. 7:23-cr-00264-LSC-GMB-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BRANDON DEVANTE OLIVER

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Brandon Oliver's conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, rejecting his Second Amendment challenge to the federal statute. The court held that longstanding prohibitions on felons possessing firearms remain presumptively lawful under the Second Amendment despite recent Supreme Court rulings.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 6 2026
10th Cir. 1:21-CR-00670-JB-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KYLE AGUILAR

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Kyle Aguilar's convictions for two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, ruling that the statute treats touching different body parts as separate criminal acts. The court further held that the victim's testimony provided sufficient evidence for a jury to infer the defendant's intent to gratify his sexual desire.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Double Jeopardy Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241)
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Mar 6 2026
10th Cir. 2:14-CR-00058-ABJ-1 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSEPH COLVIN

The Tenth Circuit affirmed a three-year prison sentence for a supervised release violation, ruling that a police report detailing firearm possession was admissible evidence. The court held that the report met the minimal reliability standard required for sentencing and that the defendant waived his right to object to the timing of its disclosure.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 6 2026
3rd Cir. 26-1084 Panel Decision

In re JOBADIAH SINCLAIR WEEKS

The Third Circuit dismissed a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by Jobadiah Weeks because the District Court subsequently ruled on the underlying motions. The appellate court found that the lower court's actions resolved the specific relief sought, eliminating the live controversy required for judicial intervention.

Criminal Fraud
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