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The Sixth Circuit denies petitions for review, affirming that Arch Resources remains liable for Black Lung Benefits Act claims against its former subsidiary, Apogee. The court relies on binding precedent to reject the argument that selling the subsidiary in 2005 terminated Arch's self-insured liability for pre-2005 claims.
The Fourth Circuit dismissed Latoshia Reeves' appeal because the district court's order was not a final judgment or an appealable interlocutory order. The court held that it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to review the procedural rulings denying Reeves' motions to shield records or enter default judgment.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed Gary Duane Cool's conviction for methamphetamine trafficking, finding no plain error in the district court's acceptance of his guilty plea. The court held that the magistrate judge fully complied with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11, ensuring the plea was knowing, voluntary, and supported by a sufficient factual basis.
The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to deny asylum and Convention Against Torture relief. The court held that small business ownership is not an immutable characteristic and that generalized country conditions do not prove government acquiescence required for CAT protection.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Harold Thornton's third motion for compassionate release, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding Thornton dangerous to the community. The court held that Thornton's extensive violent history and ongoing threats to prison officials satisfied the statutory requirements to deny sentence reduction.
The Sixth Circuit denied petitions for review seeking to overturn a Benefits Review Board order holding Arch Resources liable for Black Lung Benefits Act claims. The court ruled that the petitioners' arguments were identical to those rejected in a binding 2024 precedent, leaving the Board's decision affirming Arch's financial responsibility in place.
The Fourth Circuit denied a petition for an extraordinary writ seeking to enjoin a state court order that prohibited the petitioner from practicing law. The court held it lacked jurisdiction to issue such relief because the requested injunction was not incidental to its appellate jurisdiction and the petitioner had other adequate means to challenge the order.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed an 18-month supervised release revocation sentence, applying a deferential abuse-of-discretion standard to the district court's decision. The court held that the sentence was procedurally and substantively reasonable given the defendant's repeated violations and the district court's adequate explanation of its reasoning.
The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review seeking asylum and related relief for Russian nationals, upholding the Board of Immigration Appeals' finding that the evidence did not compel a conclusion of persecution. The court held that the Immigration Judge properly applied the cumulative-effect standard and that the record failed to show an objectively well-founded fear of future persecution.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Brandon Byner's 540-month sentence for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion. The appellate court held that the severity of the crimes and the need to protect vulnerable victims justified the lengthy term despite the defendant's history of abuse.
