Topic

Sentencing Guidelines

Every decision we've filed under Sentencing Guidelines.

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Civil 3414 Criminal 1968 Summary Judgment 812 Civil Rights - Section 1983 653 Immigration (Civil) 649 Constitutional 538 Supervised Release 475 Drug Trafficking 445 Civil Rights - Employment 370 Firearms 323 Qualified Immunity 252 Anders Brief 243
Apr 2 2026
5th Cir. 25-40363 Per Curiam

United States of America Plaintiff— v. Noel Mercado Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit remanded the case to correct a clerical error in the Presentence Investigation Report that retained an inapplicable obstruction of justice enhancement. The court ordered the district court to amend the record to ensure official documents accurately reflect the sentencing proceedings without altering the defendant's conviction or sentence.

Criminal Obstruction of Justice Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 2 2026
9th Cir. 1:23-cr-00031-RVM-2 Unpublished

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSHUA HANS ABAT JAO

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the sentences and restitution orders for three defendants who conspired to defraud their employer, rejecting arguments that the district court erred in calculating loss amounts higher than those stipulated in their plea agreements. The court held that the district judge acted within its discretion to question witnesses and rely on presentence investigation reports to determine the true financial harm.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 2 2026
4th Cir. 25-4044 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. SEBASTIAN REIGLE

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Sebastian Reigle's thirty-month upward variance sentence, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion by implicitly addressing his disparity argument. The court held that the sentencing judge's explicit rejection of Reigle's conduct as typical satisfied the requirement to consider all non-frivolous reasons for a lower sentence.

Criminal Guidelines Departure Sentencing Guidelines
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Apr 2 2026
1st Cir. 25-1203, 25-1259, 25-1327 Panel Decision

United States v. Ponzo

The First Circuit affirmed the sentences and multi-million dollar forfeiture orders against the Ponzo brothers, rejecting their challenges to sentencing enhancements and the calculation of criminal proceeds. The court held that the brothers' elaborate bribery scheme involving Mass Save contractors justified the prison terms and forfeiture amounts under federal law.

Criminal Forfeiture / Penalty Fraud Guidelines Departure
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Apr 2 2026
1st Cir. 25-1203, 25-1259, 25-1327 Panel Decision

United States v. Ponzo

The First Circuit affirmed the sentences and forfeiture orders of the Ponzo brothers, who orchestrated a massive bribery scheme involving the Mass Save energy program. The court rejected arguments regarding sentencing miscalculations and the constitutionality of the multi-million dollar forfeiture, upholding the penalties as reasonable and supported by the evidence.

Criminal Forfeiture / Penalty Fraud Sentencing Guidelines
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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
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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
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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
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