Topic

Sentencing Guidelines

Every decision we've filed under Sentencing Guidelines.

Related topics

Civil 2101 Criminal 1228 Summary Judgment 471 Civil Rights - Section 1983 399 Immigration (Civil) 358 Constitutional 353 Supervised Release 289 Drug Trafficking 275 Firearms 215 Civil Rights - Employment 205 Intellectual Property 160 Qualified Immunity 153
Apr 1 2026
6th Cir. 25-5257 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MICHAEL WILLIAMS

The Sixth Circuit affirmed Michael Williams's within-Guidelines sentence for violating his supervised release, rejecting his claim that the district court impermissibly relied on retributive factors. The court held that the district court properly considered the breach of trust and the need for deterrence when imposing consecutive sentences for the new offense and the revocation.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines Supervised Release
Read summary →
Mar 31 2026
9th Cir. 23-35483 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. FRANCIS R. CASILDO

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of a federal prisoner's habeas motion, excusing procedural default due to ineffective assistance of counsel. The panel held that the defendant's prior Nevada conviction was not a qualifying controlled substance offense under the Sentencing Guidelines, necessitating resentencing without the career offender enhancement.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Mar 31 2026
11th Cir. 4:24-cr-00039-CDL-CHW-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ANTONIO BELL

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).

Criminal Drug Trafficking Firearms Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Mar 31 2026
11th Cir. 7:24-cr-00008-WLS-ALS-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. TAVIO JAVON MCNEARY, JR

The Eleventh Circuit summarily affirmed Tavio McNeary's conviction for felon-in-possession, rejecting his challenge to the sentencing enhancement based on a prior marijuana conviction. The court held that binding precedent requires applying state law to define a controlled substance offense, even when the substance is no longer controlled under federal law.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Mar 31 2026
11th Cir. 1:97-cr-00509-JEM-2 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. LEONCIO PEREZ

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Leoncio Perez's motion for compassionate release, ruling that his advanced age and medical conditions did not constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons for sentence reduction. The court held that the district court properly weighed the sentencing factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and found Perez's history and the nature of his offenses precluded leniency.

Compassionate Release Criminal Drug Trafficking Mandatory Minimum
Read summary →
Mar 31 2026
10th Cir. 5:23-CR-00278-HE-7 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. FEI XIE

The Tenth Circuit affirmed Fei Xie's conviction and 120-month sentence, ruling that the district court properly admitted witness testimony and an organizational chart under the Federal Rules of Evidence. The court further held that Xie's role in financing and managing the drug trafficking organization justified the application of the organizer/leader sentencing enhancement.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Mar 31 2026
11th Cir. 3:24-cr-00112-TKW-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. RAFAEL SANCHEZ-DE LA ROSA

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 46-month prison sentence for illegal reentry after removal, rejecting arguments that a sentencing enhancement for a post-removal DUI was applied in error. The court held that the enhancement was proper under the Sentencing Guidelines and that the sentence was substantively reasonable given the defendant's history of impaired driving.

Criminal Immigration (Criminal) Plain Error Review Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →
Mar 30 2026
11th Cir. 3:23-cr-00010-TCB-RGV-1 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ARTHUR GENE YOUNG

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Arthur Young's 168-month sentence for felon in possession of a firearm, rejecting all five sentencing enhancement challenges. The court held that the district court properly applied the Sentencing Guidelines and that the sentence was substantively reasonable given the danger Young posed to society.

Criminal Firearms Sentencing Guidelines
Read summary →