Verdict . News

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Vacates 36-Month Sentence in Supervised Release Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded a 36-month revocation sentence imposed on Francisco Celedon, ruling the district court failed to adequately explain its decision to impose the statutory maximum. The 2-1 decision sends the case back for resentencing.

•Fourth Circuit vacated 36-month supervised release revocation sentence for inadequate explanation

•Court ruled 2-1 that district court failed to justify imposing statutory maximum penalty

•Sixth Circuit issued precedential ruling on federal sentencing for defendants in state youth diversion programs

6th Circuit Rules on Criminal Sentencing in Youth Diversion Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a precedential ruling in United States v. Carmello Anthony Rolon, addressing sentencing enhancements for defendants who commit federal crimes while participating in state youth diversion programs. The court's decision clarifies how prior state charges should be treated in federal sentencing guidelines.

•Case involved defendant who committed federal gun crime while participating in Michigan youth diversion program

•Sixth Circuit affirmed felon-in-possession firearm conviction despite Second Amendment challenge

6th Circuit Affirms Felon Firearm Conviction in Second Amendment Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a felon-in-possession firearm conviction, rejecting Chad Christopher Taylor's Second Amendment challenge to federal gun laws. The court ruled Taylor failed to demonstrate he was not dangerous, upholding the constitutionality of the federal statute as applied to him.

•Court ruled defendant failed to demonstrate he was not dangerous to society

•Eugene Fishback purchased over 150,000 fentanyl-laced pills and resold them in eastern Kentucky

6th Circuit Upholds 40-Year Sentence for Fentanyl Dealer

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction and 40-year prison sentence of Eugene Laron Fishback, who purchased and resold over 150,000 fentanyl-laced pills in eastern Kentucky. The appeals court rejected his challenges to both his conviction and sentencing guidelines.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed his 40-year federal prison sentence and rejected all appeals arguments

•Carter operated drug sales from two Detroit houses while possessing loaded firearms as a convicted felon

6th Circuit Affirms Drug Dealer's Conviction on Gun Charges

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the federal conviction of Lawon Carter, a repeat felon who operated drug sales from two Detroit houses while possessing loaded firearms. The court rejected Carter's challenges to the search warrant and evidence sufficiency.

•The Sixth Circuit rejected challenges to the search warrant's validity and evidence sufficiency

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms District Court in MSV Synergy v. Shapiro Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court judgment on January 30, 2026, in a complex real estate dispute involving MSV Synergy, LLC against law firm Shapiro & Associates and multiple Harlem development companies.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court judgment in real estate dispute involving law firm and development companies

•Case involved MSV Synergy, LLC and Mark Barron against Shapiro & Associates law firm and multiple Harlem development entities

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Rules in Pipeline Dispute on Fort Berthold Reservation

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decided a complex pipeline dispute between Andeavor Logistics and Native American allottees with beneficial ownership interests in trust lands on North Dakota's Fort Berthold Reservation. The case involves the 500-mile High Plains Pipeline system and represents years of litigation over oil and gas infrastructure rights.

•Eighth Circuit decided pipeline dispute between Andeavor Logistics and 45 Native American allottees on Fort Berthold Reservation

•Case involves 500-mile High Plains Pipeline system affecting Indian trust lands in North Dakota

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Upholds California Switchblade Ban in Second Amendment Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's ruling upholding California's switchblade regulations against a Second Amendment challenge. The court rejected arguments from Knife Rights, Inc. and other plaintiffs that the state's restrictions on concealed carrying of switchblades violate constitutional rights.

•Ninth Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment upholding California's switchblade regulations

•Court focused specifically on prohibition of concealed carrying of switchblades in public

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Reverses FOIA Order for 6M Volkswagen Documents

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court order requiring disclosure of six million documents that Volkswagen AG provided to federal prosecutors as part of its criminal plea deal with the Department of Justice.

•Ninth Circuit reversed district court order requiring disclosure of 6 million Volkswagen documents under FOIA

•Documents were provided to DOJ as part of Volkswagen's criminal plea deal and obtained through grand jury investigation