6th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

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

Mar 19 2026
22-3544 Published

MARVIN G. JOHNSON v. DAVID BOBBY, Warden

The Sixth Circuit held that a state prisoner's federal habeas petition is not rendered moot by a subsequent resentencing from death to life without parole, as long as the underlying conviction remains intact. The court affirmed the denial of Johnson's petition, rejecting claims of ineffective assistance of counsel regarding the admission of criminal history evidence and the failure to raise a Confrontation Clause challenge.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Confrontation Clause
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Mar 19 2026
25-3173 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANDREW GOLOBIC

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction and 144-month sentence of Andrew Golobic, an ICE agent who coerced sexual acts from immigrants under his supervision and obstructed the subsequent investigation. The court rejected arguments regarding juror excusal, multiplicity of charges, and sentencing enhancements, clarifying that the obstruction enhancement applies to pre-investigation conduct.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 19 2026
25-3661 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANDREW GOLOBIC

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction and 144-month sentence of Andrew Golobic, an ICE agent who used his authority to coerce sexual encounters with immigrants under his supervision. The court rejected all challenges regarding jury management, multiplicity of charges, and sentencing enhancements, clarifying that obstruction enhancements apply to pre-investigation conduct.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal Fifth Amendment - Double Jeopardy Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 18 2026
25-5169 Published

MARK F. BERGENS v. DIVERSE CONCEPTS LLC; ISLAND AMENITIES, LLC; SMOKY MOUNTAIN BLUE MOOSE, LLC

The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for an employer, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove his termination was pretextual discrimination under the ADA. The court held that the company's stated reason for firing the employee—searching co-workers' bags without permission—was supported by video evidence and the honest-belief rule.

Civil Civil Rights - ADA / Other Summary Judgment
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Mar 18 2026
25-1287 Published

Jordan Christopher Danski v. Gary Miniard, Warden

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal habeas corpus petition filed by a Michigan prisoner. The court held that the state trial court did not violate constitutional rights by providing aiding-and-abetting jury instructions and that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support the convictions.

Criminal Violent Crimes
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Mar 18 2026
25-5252 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. TERRANCE PATTERSON

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Terrance Patterson's conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, rejecting his claim that the district court erred by not ordering a competency hearing sua sponte. The court held that the magistrate judge's thorough colloquy under Rule 11, combined with the defendant's affirmative responses regarding his mental state, provided sufficient evidence of competency.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 18 2026
24-1163 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. EDDIE LEE NAILOR, III

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Eddie Nailor's conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, rejecting his constitutional challenges to the statute. The court held that Nailor's history of armed robbery and subsequent criminal conduct established he was dangerous under the controlling precedent of United States v. Williams.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 25 2026
25-3273 Unanimous

Schoening Investment LP v. Cincinnati Casualty Company

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an insurer's claim, holding that a commercial property policy requiring repairs to commence within two years does not authorize a depreciation-free payment if those repairs are not completed. The court ruled that the policy's valuation provision mandates a deduction for depreciation when the condition precedent of actual repair is not met.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty
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Mar 17 2026
25-3442 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. GULAM MUKHDOMI and ABIDA MUKHDOMI

The Sixth Circuit affirmed $125,000 fines imposed on two physicians, ruling that their appellate waivers barred challenges to the reasonableness of the sentences. The court further held that even if the Eighth Amendment challenge were considered, the fines were not grossly disproportional given the defendants' admitted conduct involving thousands of fraudulent claims.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Eighth Amendment - Cruel & Unusual Sentencing Guidelines
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