Background
Brian O. Knight was sentenced to 15 months for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He appealed, arguing the sentence was substantively unreasonable.
The court’s reasoning
The court found that the district court’s comments on rehabilitation did not clearly violate Tapia v. United States. Additionally, the district court properly weighed Knight’s history and arguments under the Section 3553(a) factors.
The court’s statements regarding rehabilitation and Knight’s alcohol abuse, viewed in context, did not clearly or obviously violate Tapia.
United States v. Knight, No. 25-30633, at 2 (5th Cir. 2026)
What it means going forward
Knight’s 15-month sentence remains in place, affirming the district court’s application of the sentencing guidelines.