Topic
Every decision we've filed under Drug Trafficking.
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of a defendant who sought to withdraw his guilty plea on direct appeal. The court held that the defendant failed to demonstrate his plea was involuntary or unintelligent despite his complaints about time pressure and counsel.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Antonio Bell's 165-month sentence, ruling that the district court correctly applied a four-level sentencing enhancement for possessing a firearm in connection with methamphetamine distribution. The court further held that the sentence was substantively reasonable because the district court properly weighed the statutory factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Christopher Stanton Jr.'s convictions for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and as a convicted felon. The court rejected Stanton's novel Second Amendment challenge, ruling that binding precedent forecloses the argument regarding felon possession while the drug trafficking enhancement argument failed to meet the plain error standard.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a federal prisoner's motion for sentence reduction, ruling that time served and rehabilitation efforts do not constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons. The court granted the government's motion for summary affirmance, noting the appeal was frivolous given the defendant's prior unsuccessful attempts to raise these same claims.
The Eleventh Circuit granted the government's motion for summary affirmance, rejecting challenges to the defendants' convictions under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. The court held that the United States properly exercised jurisdiction over a vessel without nationality in international waters, even when located within another nation's exclusive economic zone.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed Marshall Grace's conviction for drug conspiracy, ruling that he failed to prove purposeful racial discrimination under Batson v. Kentucky. The court held that the district court's assessment of the prosecutor's credibility regarding a race-neutral reason for striking a juror was not clearly erroneous.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed in part and dismissed in part the conviction and sentence of a defendant who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The court held that the defendant's appellate waiver was valid and enforceable, barring review of sentencing issues raised under an Anders brief.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's decision to revoke supervised release and impose a sentence below the advisory guidelines range. The appellate court held that the district court adequately explained its reasoning based on the defendant's history and the need for public protection.
The Tenth Circuit enforced a defendant's appeal waiver contained in his plea agreement after he failed to file a response despite multiple extensions. The court determined that the appeal fell within the waiver's scope, the waiver was knowingly and voluntarily made, and enforcing it would not result in a miscarriage of justice.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to reduce a drug trafficking sentence based on a retroactive Sentencing Guidelines amendment. The court held that the district court properly weighed the statutory factors and did not abuse its discretion by emphasizing the seriousness of the offense and the defendant's lack of cooperation.