Topic

Criminal

Every decision we've filed under Criminal.

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Civil 3497 Summary Judgment 837 Sentencing Guidelines 744 Civil Rights - Section 1983 679 Immigration (Civil) 659 Constitutional 553 Supervised Release 485 Drug Trafficking 450 Civil Rights - Employment 383 Firearms 334 Qualified Immunity 260 Anders Brief 249
Apr 2 2026
1st Cir. 25-1259 Panel Decision

United States v. Ponzo

The First Circuit affirmed the prison sentences and multi-million dollar forfeiture orders imposed on the Ponzo brothers for their bribery and fraud schemes involving the Mass Save program. The court rejected arguments regarding sentencing guideline calculations, enhancements, and the constitutionality of the forfeiture amounts, finding the district court's decisions supported by the evidence.

Criminal Forfeiture / Penalty Fraud
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Apr 2 2026
5th Cir. 25-40363 Per Curiam

United States of America Plaintiff— v. Noel Mercado Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit remanded the case to correct a clerical error in the Presentence Investigation Report that retained an inapplicable obstruction of justice enhancement. The court ordered the district court to amend the record to ensure official documents accurately reflect the sentencing proceedings without altering the defendant's conviction or sentence.

Criminal Obstruction of Justice Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 2 2026
9th Cir. 1:23-cr-00031-RVM-2 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSHUA HANS ABAT JAO

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the sentences and restitution orders for three defendants who conspired to defraud their employer, rejecting arguments that the district court erred in calculating loss amounts higher than those stipulated in their plea agreements. The court held that the district judge acted within its discretion to question witnesses and rely on presentence investigation reports to determine the true financial harm.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 2 2026
1st Cir. 25-1203, 25-1259, 25-1327 Panel Decision

United States v. Ponzo

The First Circuit affirmed the sentences and multi-million dollar forfeiture orders against the Ponzo brothers, rejecting their challenges to sentencing enhancements and the calculation of criminal proceeds. The court held that the brothers' elaborate bribery scheme involving Mass Save contractors justified the prison terms and forfeiture amounts under federal law.

Criminal Forfeiture / Penalty Fraud Guidelines Departure
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Apr 2 2026
5th Cir. 25-10292 Per Curiam

United States v. Ealey

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.

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 2 2026
1st Cir. 25-1203, 25-1259, 25-1327 Panel Decision

United States v. Ponzo

The First Circuit affirmed the sentences and forfeiture orders of the Ponzo brothers, who orchestrated a massive bribery scheme involving the Mass Save energy program. The court rejected arguments regarding sentencing miscalculations and the constitutionality of the multi-million dollar forfeiture, upholding the penalties as reasonable and supported by the evidence.

Criminal Forfeiture / Penalty Fraud Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 2 2026
5th Cir. 25-11045 Per Curiam

United States v. Fulton

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

Anders Brief Criminal
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Apr 2 2026
11th Cir. 1:25-cv-01186-TCB Per Curiam

Willie J. Mitchell, Sr. v. The State Court of Georgia, Judge Susan E. Edlein, Jamie Mack, Dennis J. Murphy, Officer Jason Wescott, et al.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of Willie Mitchell Sr.'s amended complaint, ruling that his claims were frivolous and failed to state a valid cause of action. The court held that despite prior orders to clarify his allegations, Mitchell's complaint remained a deficient 'shotgun pleading' barred by statutes of limitations, immunity doctrines, and a lack of private rights of action.

Civil Rights - Section 1983 Criminal Obstruction of Justice Statute of Limitations
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Apr 2 2026
5th Cir. 25-50371 Per Curiam

United States v. Galvan-Martinez

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of Jorge Galvan-Martinez's motion to suppress evidence, ruling that a Border Patrol agent had reasonable suspicion to stop his vehicle. The court held that the totality of circumstances, including proximity to the border and recent illegal activity, supported the stop under established legal standards.

Criminal Immigration (Criminal)
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