Topic
Every decision we've filed under Criminal.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has issued an opinion in the case of United States versus Greg Wallin. Judgment has been entered in accordance with the court's decision.
The First Circuit affirmed Jacob Parlin's conviction for drug distribution and conspiracy, ruling that any error in admitting a police officer's lay testimony regarding drug quantities was harmless. The court held that wiretapped conversations and the sheer volume of methamphetamine provided sufficient evidence of intent to distribute independent of the officer's testimony.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has issued an opinion in this criminal appeal. Judgment has been entered in accordance with the court's decision.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed Vijaya Shetty's conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, finding no plain error in the district court's acceptance of his guilty plea. The court held that Shetty failed to demonstrate that his plea was not knowing, intelligent, or voluntary despite his claims of misunderstanding and duress.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the convictions of Tevye Jones for drug trafficking and firearm offenses, rejecting claims that jury misconduct and evidence handling errors warranted a new trial. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion when replacing a juror who refused to follow the law and found the government's evidence of possession sufficient despite administrative discrepancies.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 144-month prison sentence for drug trafficking and felon-in-possession offenses, rejecting the defendant's claim that the sentence was substantively unreasonable. The court held that the district court properly weighed the defendant's extensive history of domestic violence and drug recidivism under the abuse-of-discretion standard.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Demetris Mackie's conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, rejecting his challenges to the admission of evidence regarding a prior shooting. The court also upheld Mackie's 360-month sentence, finding it reasonable given his extensive criminal history and gang affiliation.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed Akin Zhon Wofford's conviction for armed bank robbery and firearm possession, rejecting his claim that jury instructions improperly relieved the government of its burden of proof. The court held that the challenged instruction, when read in the context of all jury directions, did not mislead the jury or violate the defendant's Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed a twenty-four-month prison sentence for illegal reentry, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an upward variance. The appellate court held that the lower court provided compelling reasons for the sentence based on the defendant's repeated violations and history of extreme cruelty to animals.
The Tenth Circuit dismissed Malyk Jajuan Ransburg's appeal because he signed a valid plea agreement containing an enforceable waiver of his right to appeal. The court held that the government did not breach the plea agreement by failing to support a downward sentencing adjustment, as Ransburg's false denial of relevant conduct precluded him from receiving that benefit.