8th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

May 5 2026

25-2699 Panel Decision

Francisca Lopez-Lopez; Mateo Eleodoro Lopez-Lopez v. Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General of the United States

The Eighth Circuit dismissed a petition for review of an immigration order because the petitioners failed to exhaust administrative remedies. The court held that the petitioners did not meaningfully challenge key determinations regarding nexus and government protection before the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Civil Immigration (Civil)

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May 5 2026

25-2878 Panel Decision

Garrett v. Stock

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court judgment in a real estate dispute involving breach of contract claims. The appellate court found no abuse of discretion in the denial of a continuance and declined to address arguments not raised in the lower court.

Civil Real Property

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May 5 2026

25-3293 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Cherelle Smith

The Eighth Circuit dismissed an appeal by a defendant who had entered a plea agreement containing an appeal waiver. The court found the waiver valid and enforceable, concluding there were no non-frivolous issues outside its scope.

Anders Brief Criminal

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May 5 2026

25-2052 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Komboor Gatluak Gatnoor

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the conviction of a defendant charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court held that police had reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle based on the totality of circumstances and the defendant's flight.

Criminal Firearms Supervised Release

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May 5 2026

25-1556 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Russell Tafron Weatherspoon

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a fraud conviction and sentence for a defendant who orchestrated a prison-based phone scam targeting medical professionals. The court rejected challenges to sentencing enhancements for sophisticated means and the defendant's leadership role in the conspiracy.

Criminal Fraud Guidelines Departure Sentencing Guidelines

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May 5 2026

25-1108 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Philip Anthony Maheia

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a 120-month mandatory minimum sentence imposed on Philip Anthony Maheia for a drug offense. The court held that the district court correctly applied a two-level aggravating-role enhancement, which precluded Maheia from receiving safety-valve relief.

Criminal Mandatory Minimum

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May 5 2026

25-2032 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Matthew Noel Hutchings

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a criminal sentence imposed after the defendant pled guilty to a tax offense. The court concluded the district court did not impose a substantively unreasonable sentence.

Criminal Other Criminal

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May 5 2026

25-2958 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Brian Darnell Brown

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's revocation of supervised release and imposition of a ten-month prison sentence. The panel found no significant procedural error and determined the sentence was not substantively unreasonable.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release

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May 4 2026

25-2617 Panel Decision

Briley Piper v. Attorney General for the State of South Dakota

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal habeas corpus petition filed by a South Dakota death row inmate. The court rejected six claims challenging the constitutionality of habeas deference, procedural default, and ineffective assistance of counsel.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Res Judicata

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May 4 2026

25-2264 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Verl Antoine Janis

The Eighth Circuit affirmed an above-Guidelines sentence for a defendant with extensive tribal court convictions. The court found no abuse of discretion in the district court's reliance on the defendant's criminal history to justify the variance.

Criminal Prison Offenses Sentencing Guidelines

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