Topic

Drug Trafficking

Every decision we've filed under Drug Trafficking.

Related topics

Civil 3414 Criminal 1968 Summary Judgment 812 Sentencing Guidelines 723 Civil Rights - Section 1983 653 Immigration (Civil) 649 Constitutional 538 Supervised Release 475 Civil Rights - Employment 370 Firearms 323 Qualified Immunity 252 Anders Brief 243
Apr 20 2026
11th Cir. 8:20-cr-00342-SCB-TGW-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY DEFILIPPIS

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Christopher Defilippis's life sentence for distributing fentanyl that caused a death, ruling that witness testimony and chemical evidence sufficiently proved the drugs he sold were the but-for cause of the victim's overdose. The court also rejected claims regarding evidentiary errors and discovery violations, finding any mistakes harmless and the government's disclosures adequate.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
Read summary →
Apr 20 2026
9th Cir. 3:23-cr-00256-AKB-1 Unpublished

USA v. Kay

The Ninth Circuit affirmed Robert Charles Kay's conviction for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. The court held that the warrantless search of Kay's vehicle was constitutional under the plain view doctrine and the automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure
Read summary →
Apr 17 2026
11th Cir. 6:21-cr-00015-CEM-LHP-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. SHAWN MICHAEL CHALIFOUX

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court order allowing the involuntary administration of antipsychotic medication to a defendant found incompetent to stand trial. The court held that the government met its burden under the Sell standard by showing that medication was medically appropriate and necessary to restore the defendant's competency.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Apr 17 2026
6th Cir. 25-1190 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MATTHEW JOSEPH SHEEHAN

The Sixth Circuit affirmed the denial of Matthew Sheehan's motion to suppress evidence, ruling that police possessed reasonable suspicion to stop his vehicle based on corroborated informant tips and cell-site data. The court held that the totality of the circumstances supported the inference that Sheehan was engaged in an ongoing drug trafficking operation.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Supervised Release
Read summary →
Apr 17 2026
4th Cir. 25-4225 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. WILLIE JUNIOR LILLY

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Willie Junior Lilly's conviction and sentence, holding that his Second Amendment challenge to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) is foreclosed by binding circuit precedent. The court further rejected his sentencing argument, ruling that the district court correctly applied the Sentencing Guidelines to count his prior drug convictions.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
Read summary →
Apr 16 2026
11th Cir. 1:22-cr-20040-JEM-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANGELO MARTINEZ

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, holding that binding precedent forecloses constitutional challenges regarding the Felonies Clause and nexus requirements. The court further ruled that recent Sentencing Guidelines amendments are substantive and do not apply retroactively to reduce sentences.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
Read summary →
Apr 16 2026
11th Cir. 1:22-cr-20040-JEM-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANGELO MARTINEZ

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions of three defendants under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, holding that binding precedent forecloses constitutional challenges regarding the Felonies Clause and U.S. nexus requirements. The court further ruled that recent Sentencing Guidelines amendments are substantive rather than clarifying, precluding their retroactive application to alter the defendants' sentences.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
Read summary →
Apr 16 2026
11th Cir. 1:22-cr-20040-JEM-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANGELO MARTINEZ

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, holding that binding precedent forecloses constitutional challenges regarding the statute's validity and the lack of a U.S. nexus. The court further ruled that recent Sentencing Guidelines amendments are substantive and do not apply retroactively to alter the defendants' sentences.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
Read summary →