Topic
Every decision we've filed under Sentencing Guidelines.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a 60-month prison sentence for a wire fraud conspiracy, ruling that the defendant failed to prove plain error regarding a sentencing enhancement for substantial financial hardship. The court further held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an above-Guidelines sentence based on the victims' advanced age.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the denial of a § 2255 motion, holding that a defendant cannot prove ineffective assistance of counsel based on a conflict of interest without showing that the conflict adversely affected the defense strategy. Although the attorney's dual representation created an actual conflict, the record showed the lawyer withdrew immediately upon discovery and took no substantive actions that harmed the client.
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the sentence imposed on Toni Yeager following her guilty plea to a drug offense. The court granted counsel's motion to withdraw under Anders v. California after finding no non-frivolous issues for appeal.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed Shaquaila Lewis's twenty-seven-month sentence, rejecting her argument that the district court erred in applying a sophisticated-means enhancement. The court held that Lewis's use of fictitious tax forms, fake payroll checks, and delayed business registration constituted especially complex conduct designed to conceal her fraud.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Pedro Delgado-Ramirez for illegal reentry. The court held that the defendant's constitutional challenge to the statutory sentencing enhancement was foreclosed by existing Supreme Court precedent.
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a thirty-six-month sentence for bank fraud and money laundering, rejecting the defendant's challenges to the sentencing guidelines calculations. The court found no plain error in the district court's application of the mass-marketing enhancement and its denial of a minor-role reduction.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed David Lynn Vannelli's 252-month sentence and the district court's rejection of his plea agreement, ruling that the judge acted within discretion given the egregious nature of the child exploitation offenses. The court held that a sentencing judge is not bound to accept a Rule 11(c)(1)(C) plea recommendation and may impose a higher sentence if the agreed-upon term is inadequate.
The Sixth Circuit reversed the proceedings to address attorney Steven N. Howe's misconduct in filing briefs containing fabricated legal citations generated by artificial intelligence. The court vacated the appeal and ordered new counsel appointed to ensure a fair review of the defendant's sentencing challenge.
The Third Circuit affirmed Christopher Miller's sentence for bank fraud and identity theft, ruling that while the District Court erred in its legal analysis of the Sentencing Guidelines, the mistake was harmless. The appellate court held that applying the correct ambiguity standard still supported the five-participant enhancement based on the aggregate involvement of participants and non-participants.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed Carlos Robles's sentence, ruling that the district court properly applied sentencing guidelines cross-references and enhancements based on relevant conduct involving grooming and sexual acts with a minor. The court further upheld supervised release conditions requiring SORNA compliance and polygraph testing as reasonably related to public safety and the nature of the offense.