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 16 2026
25-1187 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANTJUAN PIERRE JACKSON

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Antjuan Pierre Jackson's conviction for fentanyl-related drug charges, rejecting his claims that evidence was unlawfully seized and that the government discriminated during jury selection. The court found the search warrant supported probable cause and that the district court did not clearly err in accepting the government's race-neutral reasons for striking jurors.

Civil Drug Trafficking Securities
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Mar 16 2026
24-1442 Published

Reichert v. Kellogg Co.

The Sixth Circuit reversed the dismissal of ERISA claims alleging that pension plans used outdated mortality data to calculate benefits for married participants. The court held that the statutory requirement for actuarial equivalence prohibits the use of unreasonable, inapplicable actuarial assumptions that fail to reflect modern life expectancies.

Criminal ERISA / Employee Benefits Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 16 2026
25-5662 Published

THE ESTATE OF JEREMY MARR, by and through JOANNA MARR, its Administrator and JOANNA MARR v. CITY OF GLASGOW, KENTUCKY, CITY OF GLASGOW POLICE DEPARTMENT GUY JOSEPH TURCOTTE

The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers and the City of Glasgow, holding that the officers were entitled to qualified immunity when using force against a drug-intoxicated suspect who actively resisted arrest. The court ruled that the use of a taser and knee strikes did not violate clearly established law because the suspect was struggling and refusing to comply with commands.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 13 2026
25-5653 Published

Jane Doe, by and through C.B. v. Diocese of Covington, et al.

The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a Catholic school, ruling that a single instance of racial slurring by a classmate and a teacher's insensitive lesson did not constitute actionable harassment under Title VI. The court held that the school's prompt investigation and remedial actions, including removing the teacher from chaperone duties and providing diversity training, defeated claims of deliberate indifference.

Civil Civil Rights - Education Summary Judgment
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Mar 13 2026
25-5285 Published

United States v. Stafford

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Austin David Stafford's convictions for producing child pornography, rejecting his arguments regarding the district court's jurisdiction and the factual basis for his guilty pleas. The court held that the government sufficiently established the interstate commerce nexus and that the district court properly verified the factual basis for the pleas under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Criminal
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Mar 13 2026
25-3144 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. KEVIN WILLIE CARTER

The Sixth Circuit affirmed a 264-month prison sentence for Kevin Willie Carter, rejecting his challenges to two U.S. Sentencing Guidelines enhancements. The court held that the factual record sufficiently supported findings that Carter acted as an organizer of a multi-participant drug conspiracy and maintained a premises for drug trafficking.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 13 2026
24-5918/5919; 25-5424 Published

Whiting v. City of Athens, Tennessee

The Sixth Circuit affirmed sanctions against plaintiff Glenn Whiting and his attorney for filing a pattern of frivolous lawsuits against the City of Athens and its officials. The court held that the claims lacked legal merit due to absolute immunities and privileges, and that the litigation constituted a harassment campaign draining public resources.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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