UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ARMANDO ANTONIO SUMOZA-PADRON

MARICELA ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ DOMINGUEZ; KIMBERLY MICHELLE MORAN RODRIGUEZ; CHRISS ENRIQUE MORAN RODRIGUEZ v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision rejecting asylum and related relief for an El Salvadorian family targeted by gang extortion. The court held that the harm was motivated by economic interest rather than a protected ground, failing the statutory nexus requirement for asylum.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. WHITFIELD LELAND, III

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 264-month sentence for Hobbs Act robbery, holding that the defendant's 2011 Florida aggravated assault conviction properly qualified as a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The court rejected the defendant's argument that a recent Supreme Court decision undermined the binding precedent establishing that Florida assault statutes require a knowing mens rea.

PALLA FARMS, LLC v. GEMINI INSURANCE COMPANY

The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for an insurance company, ruling that saltwater qualifies as a pollutant under commercial general liability policies. The court held that because the plaintiff conceded saltwater was an irritant or contaminant, it met the policy definition regardless of whether it constituted waste.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. STEPHEN DANIEL LEONARD

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Stephen Daniel Leonard's conviction for felon in possession of a firearm, rejecting all arguments regarding his self-representation and the necessity defense. The court also granted Leonard's counsel's motion to withdraw, citing incompatibility and compliance with withdrawal rules.

Brothers Market LLC No. 1 v. United States

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment against a grocery store and its owner, holding that they failed to rebut the government's evidence of SNAP trafficking. The court ruled that statistical patterns of unusually large and rapid transactions supported an inference of trafficking without requiring expert testimony.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. NIGEL RICHSON

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Nigel Richardson's convictions for Hobbs Act robbery and firearm offenses, rejecting challenges to the sufficiency of evidence and the indictment's Grand Jury Clause compliance. The court held that Hobbs Act robbery remains a crime of violence under the elements clause and that the indictment's language adequately alleged knowledge of Richardson's felon status.

AUDEL HERNANDEZ AVELLANEDA; RUBI VALDEZ GARCIA; Y. H. V v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review seeking asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture relief for three Mexican nationals. The court found that the petitioners waived key arguments regarding government protection and failed to meet the high legal threshold required to prove a likelihood of future torture.

HENKELS & MCCOY, INC v. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION SECRETARY OF LABOR: HENKELS & MCCOY, INC v. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION SECRETARY OF LABOR

The Eleventh Circuit denied Henkels & McCoy's petition for review, upholding the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission's finding that the company violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act's general duty clause. The court ruled that the Commission's decision was supported by substantial evidence and was not arbitrary or capricious.

United States of America v. Velma Taper

The Eighth Circuit affirmed Velma Taper's sentence for fraud offenses after reviewing the district court's ruling. The court granted counsel's motion to withdraw under Anders v. California, finding no non-frivolous issues for appeal.