Topic
Every decision we've filed under Criminal.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a defendant's sentence for firearm possession and witness tampering. The court held that the district court correctly calculated the base offense level and did not abuse its discretion in rejecting the defendant's arguments for a downward departure.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the convictions of Gary Cunningham for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting drug distribution. The court found sufficient evidence of coordination between Cunningham and a co-defendant to overcome claims of mere presence and buyer-seller exceptions.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Mark Leslie Lively for drug trafficking offenses. The court found no reversible error regarding the suppression of evidence or alleged prosecutorial misconduct.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a federal sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm where the district court declined to specify whether the term would run concurrently or consecutively to an anticipated state sentence. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion due to insufficient information regarding the pending state parole revocation.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Dontrail Markise Gilmore for federal drug distribution. The court rejected Gilmore's challenges regarding drug weight calculations, career offender status, and the district court's sentencing explanation.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the Central Intelligence Agency's redaction of a security clearance investigation file. The court held that the plaintiff failed to state a claim because existing statutes provided adequate remedies for his grievances.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal challenging a tax fraud conviction and sentence in part for lack of jurisdiction. The court affirmed the district court's denial of a new trial motion and its application of sentencing enhancements while dismissing a separate bail appeal as moot.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of compassionate release motions for two defendants seeking sentence reductions based on nonretroactive changes to federal sentencing laws. The court held that the Supreme Court's decision in Rutherford v. United States forecloses arguments that the Sentencing Commission's new policy statement overrides prior circuit precedent.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a sixty-month sentence imposed upon the revocation of supervised release. The court held that the defendant failed to preserve his claim that the district court impermissibly considered retributive factors.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed sentencing decisions for two defendants convicted of fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution. The court upheld an above-Guidelines sentence for Christopher Howes and rejected challenges to enhancements applied to Salvador Caracena-Zarates.