Topic

Drug Trafficking

Every decision we've filed under Drug Trafficking.

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Civil 2084 Criminal 1218 Summary Judgment 466 Sentencing Guidelines 413 Civil Rights - Section 1983 395 Immigration (Civil) 354 Constitutional 350 Supervised Release 285 Firearms 213 Civil Rights - Employment 204 Intellectual Property 159 Qualified Immunity 151
Mar 26 2026
11th Cir. 1:24-cr-20449-KMM-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Joseph Anthony Cano Bonilla

The Eleventh Circuit granted a joint motion for summary reversal, holding that the government breached its plea agreement by arguing for a higher sentencing guideline range based on the purity of the methamphetamine. The court vacated the within-guideline sentence and remanded the case for resentencing consistent with the terms of the plea agreement.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 25 2026
6th Cir. 25-5468 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MICHAEL FLETCHER

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Dr. Michael Fletcher's convictions for distributing controlled substances, finding sufficient evidence that he prescribed high volumes of opioids without examining patients. The court further held that Dr. Fletcher validly waived his right to counsel a second time and that his secret reliance on a disbarred attorney did not constitute a due process violation.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 25 2026
5th Cir. 25-30294 Per Curiam

United States v. Calderon

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, ruling that the defendant forfeited his challenge to the traffic stop's duration by failing to address an independent basis for the district court's ruling. The court also found no clear error in the lower court's determination that the defendant's consent to search his vehicle was voluntary under the totality of the circumstances.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Mar 25 2026
U.S. Sup. Ct. 24-1056 8-1

Rico v. United States

The Supreme Court held that the Sentencing Reform Act does not authorize automatically extending a defendant's supervised release term due to abscondment. Consequently, a district court lacks authority to treat a new offense committed after a supervised release term has expired as a violation of that term.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Supervised Release
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Mar 24 2026
11th Cir. 2:23-cr-00379-RAH-SMD-1 Per Curiam

United States v. Guice, Jr.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to suppress self-incriminating statements made by a public employee during a criminal investigation. The court held that the defendant failed to prove he subjectively believed, or that such a belief was objectively reasonable, that he faced termination for refusing to speak to law enforcement.

Constitutional Drug Trafficking Fifth Amendment - Self-Incrimination Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255)
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Mar 23 2026
7th Cir. 25-1302 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. TOMMIE L. HANEY

The Seventh Circuit affirmed Tommie L. Haney's sentence, finding no clear error in the district court's application of a two-level sentencing enhancement for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug conspiracy. The court held that intercepted communications and DNA evidence supported the finding that Haney possessed the weapon, and his alternative theories were either waived or insufficient to rebut the presumption of furtherance.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Mar 23 2026
7th Cir. 25-1201 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHARLES G. DENTON, JR

The Seventh Circuit affirmed Charles Denton's conviction for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, ruling that the gun's proximity to his drug operation was sufficient to establish the required legal nexus. The court rejected Denton's argument that the weapon was merely stored in a closet and not connected to his drug sales.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Supervised Release
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Mar 23 2026
9th Cir. 3:23-cr-01091- Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHRISTIAN FERRARI

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a firearms trafficking sentencing enhancement, holding that the defendant need only have reason to believe the transferee was an unlawful possessor, not that the transferee was actually unlawful. The court rejected arguments relying on other criminal statutes, emphasizing that the plain text of the Sentencing Guidelines focuses on the defendant's subjective belief.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
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Mar 23 2026
6th Cir. 25-5255 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MICHAEL WAYNE BAILEY

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Michael Bailey's conviction for conspiracy to distribute narcotics, ruling that evidence of his coordination from prison was sufficient to prove the crime. The court rejected challenges regarding jury instructions and the admission of evidence related to gang affiliation and disciplinary records.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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