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Mar 13 2026
6th Cir. 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
6th Cir. 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 12 2026
11th Cir. 1:17-cr-20887-KMM-4 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. YESID AVILA DIAZ

The Eleventh Circuit granted the Government's motion to dismiss an appeal because the defendant had entered a guilty plea and signed a valid sentence appeal waiver. The court enforced this waiver, ruling that it bars appeals even for difficult legal issues or potential errors, provided the waiver was made knowingly and voluntarily.

Criminal Other Criminal
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Mar 11 2026
6th Cir. 24-1726 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. VIJAYA SHETTY

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Vijaya Shetty's conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, finding no plain error in the district court's acceptance of his guilty plea. The court held that Shetty failed to demonstrate that his plea was not knowing, intelligent, or voluntary despite his claims of misunderstanding and duress.

Criminal Fraud Plain Error Review
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Mar 11 2026
10th Cir. 5:23-CR-00051-R-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. AKIN ZHON WOFFORD

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Akin Zhon Wofford's conviction for armed bank robbery and firearm possession, rejecting his claim that jury instructions improperly relieved the government of its burden of proof. The court held that the challenged instruction, when read in the context of all jury directions, did not mislead the jury or violate the defendant's Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 11 2026
10th Cir. 5:24-CR-00250-PRW-1 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MALYK JAJUAN RANSBURG

The Tenth Circuit dismissed Malyk Jajuan Ransburg's appeal because he signed a valid plea agreement containing an enforceable waiver of his right to appeal. The court held that the government did not breach the plea agreement by failing to support a downward sentencing adjustment, as Ransburg's false denial of relevant conduct precluded him from receiving that benefit.

Criminal Firearms
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Mar 11 2026
8th Cir. 25-2843 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Jeffrey Alan Bradley

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court order directing the Bureau of Prisons to transfer funds from a defendant's inmate trust account to satisfy a restitution obligation. The appellate court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion because the amount ordered matched the figure the defendant himself suggested in a prior motion.

Criminal Other Criminal
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