Topic
Every decision we've filed under Criminal.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions and sentences of Andrea Mitchell and Lester Best, rejecting challenges to the sufficiency of evidence for aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. The court further upheld a four-level sentencing enhancement for Best, finding he acted as an organizer or leader of the fraudulent scheme.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal challenging a district court order denying a motion to dismiss an indictment. The court held that the order was not final because the defendant had not yet been convicted or sentenced.
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 Eleventh Circuit affirmed the defendant's convictions for drug conspiracy and possession aboard a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. The court rejected all constitutional challenges regarding the statute's reach in exclusive economic zones and its definition of stateless vessels.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has issued an opinion in the case of United States versus Samuel McElmeel. Judgment has been entered in accordance with the court's decision.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Brandon Oliver's conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, rejecting his Second Amendment challenge to the federal statute. The court held that longstanding prohibitions on felons possessing firearms remain presumptively lawful under the Second Amendment despite recent Supreme Court rulings.
The Eleventh Circuit granted appointed counsel's motion to withdraw from representing LaRonce Howell in a direct criminal appeal. The court affirmed the defendant's conviction and sentence after an independent review found no arguable issues of merit.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 36-month prison sentence for a supervised release violation, rejecting the defendant's claim that the sentence was substantively unreasonable. The court held that the district court properly weighed the severity of the defendant's drug violations and his lack of candor regarding his treatment plan.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 600-month sentence for child pornography production and distribution, rejecting the defendant's claim that the district court failed to weigh his voluntary cessation of conduct. The court held that the permanence of the images and the need for deterrence justified the sentence within the Guidelines range.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed Mackenzie Becker's convictions for firearms and drug offenses, rejecting his argument that the search warrant affidavit failed to establish probable cause linking a road-rage incident to his residence. The court also dismissed Becker's Second Amendment challenge as foreclosed by existing Tenth Circuit precedent.