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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 9 2026
6th Cir. 25-1358 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. PHILLIP CLAUDIUS GRAY

The Sixth Circuit affirmed a 21-month prison sentence for Phillip Gray, who violated supervised release conditions through repeated drug use and combative behavior. The court found no procedural or substantive error, noting the district court adequately considered Gray's psychiatric history while prioritizing public safety and the need for custodial monitoring.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 9 2026
3rd Cir. 25-1029 Panel Decision

THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL TRISTIAN PAONE, DECEASED, BY AND THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE ESTATE, MICHAEL PAONE, JR. AND LISA PAONE; LISA PAONE; JULIANA PAONE v. TOWNSHIP OF PLYM...: THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL TRISTIAN PAONE, DECEASED, BY AND THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE ESTATE, MICHAEL PAONE, JR. AND LISA PAONE; LISA PAONE; JULIANA PAONE v. TOWNSHIP OF PLYM…

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers who used deadly force against a man with a mental health crisis holding a pellet gun. The court held that the officers' perception of an imminent threat made their use of force objectively reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.

Constitutional Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Mar 6 2026
6th Cir. 24-1729 Published

Meredith Summer v. Detroit Public Schools Community District, et al.

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment against a teacher who claimed First Amendment retaliation and religious discrimination. The court held that the teacher's social media post did not address a matter of public concern and that she failed to provide evidence of similarly situated non-Jewish teachers receiving more favorable treatment.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Mar 6 2026
10th Cir. 2:24-CR-00070-SWS-1) Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BRIAN NEIL WIGGINS

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Brian Neil Wiggins's 192-month sentence, rejecting his claim that his prior Oregon second-degree assault conviction did not qualify as a crime of violence. The court held that Oregon law did not permit accomplice liability for negligence at the time of his 2008 conviction, ensuring the offense met the federal definition.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Mar 6 2026
10th Cir. 2:14-CR-00058-ABJ-1 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSEPH COLVIN

The Tenth Circuit affirmed a three-year prison sentence for a supervised release violation, ruling that a police report detailing firearm possession was admissible evidence. The court held that the report met the minimal reliability standard required for sentencing and that the defendant waived his right to object to the timing of its disclosure.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 6 2026
3rd Cir. 23-3184 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JEROME BROWN

The Third Circuit affirmed Jerome Brown's conviction and sentence, ruling that while the District Court improperly participated in plea negotiations, the error was harmless. Brown failed to demonstrate that the judicial interference violated his substantial rights or resulted in a heavier sentence than he would have otherwise accepted.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 5 2026
10th Cir. 5:00-CV-03146-DES Panel Decision

In re MAURICE B. MOORE

The Tenth Circuit denied Maurice Moore's application to file a second or successive habeas corpus petition because he failed to meet the strict statutory requirements of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. The court held that Moore's claims did not rely on a new retroactive rule of constitutional law nor did they present previously undiscoverable facts establishing actual innocence.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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