11th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

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

Apr 10 2026
6:23-cr-00207-CEM-LHP-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHARLES BERNARD LONG

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 78-month sentence for child pornography possession, ruling that a sentencing error regarding video image counts did not affect the defendant's substantial rights. Although the district court incorrectly applied a rule counting each video as 75 images, the correct legal standard would likely have resulted in an even higher image count.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 10 2026
6:23-cr-00207-CEM-LHP-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHARLES BERNARD LONG

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Charles Long's 78-month sentence for child pornography possession, ruling that while the district court erred in applying a 75-image-per-video rule, the mistake did not affect Long's substantial rights. The court held that applying the correct one-frame-one-image standard would likely result in a significantly higher image count, meaning no reasonable probability exists that a lower sentence would have been imposed.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 10 2026
6:23-cr-00207-CEM-LHP-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHARLES BERNARD LONG

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Charles Long's sentence for possession of child pornography, ruling that while the district court erred by relying on outdated commentary to count videos, Long failed to prove the error affected his substantial rights. The court held that applying the correct one-frame-one-image rule would likely increase, rather than decrease, the total image count, meaning no prejudice existed.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 10 2026
0:25-cv-60070-WPD Per Curiam

MARIE DORIVAL v. COLE, SCOTT & KISSANE ANDREA GUNDERSEN

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a Title VII hostile work environment claim, ruling that a single racially charged remark by a partner was not severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of employment. The court further held that the plaintiff's additional allegations were too vague to survive dismissal and that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying leave to file a second amended complaint.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Apr 10 2026
0:19-cv-62854-AMC Per Curiam

ALBERTO RAMOS ALGABA v. SECRETARY, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of habeas relief, holding that the petitioner failed to demonstrate cause and prejudice to overcome the procedural default of his due process claim. Consequently, the court found the underlying sufficiency of the evidence claim unreviewable, leaving the conviction and sentence in effect.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 10 2026
1:20-cv-00613-TWT Unpublished

TENOR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC v. GUNBROKER.COM, LLC

The Eleventh Circuit reversed a summary judgment ruling that had shielded a financial firm from fiduciary duty claims, holding that statutory duties under the Investment Advisers Act cannot be waived by contract disclaimers. The court also reversed a jury verdict awarding the firm unjust enrichment, ruling that its financing services were inextricably linked to prior illegal investment advice, rendering the entire contract void.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting
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Apr 10 2026
1:22-cr-20438-RNS-4 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. YANDREY NEGRIN ROJAS

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 97-month prison sentence for migrant smuggling, ruling that the district court did not violate the Sixth Amendment by considering acquitted conduct to apply sentencing enhancements. The court held that under binding precedent, acquitted conduct may be used at sentencing if proven by a preponderance of the evidence.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 9 2026
6:24-cr-00192-GAP-LHP-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. EDWIN RIVERA

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Edwin Rivera's 48-month sentence for theft of government property, ruling that the district court properly considered his lack of remorse and the seriousness of the offense. The court held that the district court did not commit procedural or substantive errors in its sentencing analysis.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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