Verdict . News

•Eleventh Circuit vacated 17-year sentence for John Lee's $90 million jewelry fraud scheme targeting Qatar victim

11th Circuit Vacates 17-Year Sentence in $90M Jewelry Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit vacated a 17-year prison sentence for John Lee, who defrauded a Qatar victim of over $90 million in jewelry through a psychic advisor scheme, ruling the sentence was unreasonably harsh.

•Court ruled the sentence was unreasonably harsh, representing a 107-month upward variance from federal guidelines

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed 228-month federal sentence for Avery Fuller on armed robbery conspiracy charges

11th Circuit Affirms 228-Month Sentence for Armed Robbery Conspiracy

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the 228-month federal prison sentence for Avery Fuller, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence. The appeals court rejected Fuller's challenge to his sentence in a per curiam opinion issued January 6, 2026.

•Fuller pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and aiding firearms brandishing during violent crime

•Eleventh Circuit denied petition for review in removal case involving Armenian national

11th Circuit Denies Armenian National's Immigration Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Vahagn Paremuzyan, an Armenian national challenging his removal order. The three-judge panel upheld decisions by the immigration judge and Board of Immigration Appeals in the case involving claims of persecution.

•Case involved claims of persecution related to witnessing murder in Armenia

•Eleventh Circuit rejected Will David Parr's Second Amendment challenge to federal felon-in-possession law

11th Circuit Rejects Felon's Second Amendment Gun Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected a convicted felon's constitutional challenge to federal gun possession laws in *United States v. Will David Parr*. The defendant argued that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) violates the Second Amendment following recent Supreme Court precedents.

•Court upheld conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) despite recent Supreme Court gun rights decisions

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Reviews False Advertising Case in Display Industry

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Kesters Merchandising Display International v. SurfaceQuest, addressing false advertising claims under the Lanham Act involving alleged misuse of competitor photographs in marketing materials.

•Tenth Circuit ruled against Kesters Merchandising Display International in false advertising case

•Court found insufficient evidence to prove injury required for Lanham Act claims

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Tenth Circuit Reviews Police Search Without Arrest in Montgomery v. Cruz

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued a published opinion January 6, 2026, in Montgomery v. Cruz examining whether a police officer can justify searching a suspect's pockets and wallet without making an actual arrest. The case addresses the boundaries of Fourth Amendment protections when officers have probable cause but don't arrest.

•Tenth Circuit examines whether police can search suspects with probable cause but no actual arrest

•Published decision will set precedent for six-state Tenth Circuit jurisdiction

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Issues Decision in NMSU Professor Termination Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued an order and judgment in Roemer v. Board of Regents of New Mexico State University, involving a tenured professor's termination and constitutional rights claims. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression participated as amicus curiae, indicating significant First Amendment implications.

•Tenured NMSU professor Gary Roemer sued university officials after his August 2021 termination

•The Tenth Circuit decided the appeal without oral argument, finding written briefs sufficient

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Life Sentence Denial Under First Step Act

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of a sentence reduction motion filed under the First Step Act of 2018. Zechariah Benjamin, serving a mandatory life sentence for crack cocaine distribution, was deemed eligible for resentencing but unsuccessful in obtaining relief.

•Benjamin was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment in 2008 for crack cocaine distribution and conspiracy

•His sentence was enhanced due to at least two prior cocaine delivery convictions in Illinois

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Backs Religious Mission Against Washington Bias Laws

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a preliminary injunction protecting Union Gospel Mission of Yakima Washington from enforcement of state anti-discrimination laws. The court held that the faith-based organization can require employees to adhere to Christian beliefs in non-ministerial positions.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed preliminary injunction protecting Union Gospel Mission from Washington state anti-discrimination law enforcement

•Court held that Christian ministry can require employees in non-ministerial roles to adhere to religious beliefs