Apr 30 2026
4th Cir. 25-4561 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHARLES DANA JOHNSON, II

The Fourth Circuit affirmed an 84-month sentence for a felon-in-possession conviction, ruling that the district court sufficiently addressed the defendant's mitigating arguments. The court held that a district court need not explicitly spell out responses to defense arguments when the context makes it patently obvious that those arguments were rejected.

Apr 30 2026
4th Cir. 25-4389 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DIAMONIQUE SHAWN NEWTON

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a 78-month sentence for a felon-in-possession conviction, rejecting the defendant's challenge to a four-level sentencing enhancement. The court held that the district court did not clearly err in finding the defendant possessed a firearm in connection with a separate felony offense based on social media activity and the circumstances of a search warrant execution.

Apr 29 2026
6th Cir. 25-5505 Published

United States v. House

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Ricky House's 96-month sentence, ruling that his challenge to the large-capacity-magazine enhancement was forfeited because he invited the error by stipulating to its application below. The court further held that the district court adequately considered House's policy arguments regarding the enhancement when imposing a below-Guidelines sentence.

Apr 29 2026
5th Cir. 25-40280 Per Curiam

United States v. Caldera

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal after reviewing a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw. The court agreed that the appeal presented no nonfrivolous issues for review.

Apr 29 2026
5th Cir. 25-11130 Per Curiam

United States v. Diaz-Ortiz

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.

Apr 29 2026
4th Cir. 24-4331 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSEPH BOURABAH

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the denial of Joseph Bourabah's motions to substitute counsel and withdraw his guilty plea, finding no abuse of discretion in the district court's handling of the requests. The court upheld a 100-month sentence for a severe cyberstalking campaign, ruling that the district court properly applied upward departures for the extreme psychological injury inflicted on the victims.

Apr 29 2026
8th Cir. 25-1143 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Jersom Andu Mena

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a motion to dismiss an indictment against a defendant charged with unlawful firearm possession as a controlled substance user. The court held that the defendant's Second Amendment challenge is foreclosed by binding circuit precedent.