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Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Denies Habeas Appeal in Child Sexual Assault Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a federal habeas corpus appeal by Donnie Ray Pearson, who was convicted of super-aggravated sexual assault of a child in Texas. Pearson argued his attorney provided ineffective assistance by failing to challenge a juror who disclosed childhood sexual abuse during voir dire.

•Donnie Ray Pearson was convicted of super-aggravated sexual assault of a child in Texas state court

•A juror disclosed after voir dire that she had been molested as a child but believed she could remain fair

State Court

•Alaska Supreme Court issued consolidated memorandum opinion in child welfare appeals on January 28, 2026

Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court Rules on Child Services Appeals in Consolidated Case

The Alaska Supreme Court issued a memorandum opinion on January 28, 2026, in consolidated appeals by parents Jeremiah H. and Jocelyn H. challenging the State's Office of Children's Services. The cases originated from Palmer Superior Court and involved emergency custody proceedings related to domestic violence and substance abuse concerns.

•Two parents challenged Office of Children's Services emergency custody decisions involving domestic violence and substance abuse concerns

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Strikes Down Blanket Supervised Release Policy

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Northern District of New York improperly imposed standard supervised release conditions on Robert McAdam without making individualized assessments. The decision challenges the district's controversial "General Order #23" that automatically required 15 standard conditions in all supervised release cases.

•Second Circuit ruled that automatic imposition of supervised release conditions without individualized assessment violates federal law

•Northern District of New York's "General Order #23" required standard conditions in all supervised release cases

State Court

Supreme Court of South Dakota

SD Supreme Court Issues Split Ruling in Walton Medical Malpractice Case

The South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and partially reversed a circuit court decision in *Walton v. Huron Regional Medical Center*, a medical malpractice case involving allegations of hypoxic brain injury from opioid treatment. The mixed ruling represents a significant development in state healthcare liability law.

•South Dakota Supreme Court partially affirmed and reversed circuit court decision in medical malpractice case

•Case involved allegations of hypoxic brain injury from opioid administration and inadequate monitoring

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Doctor's 84-Month Prison Sentence

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and 84-month prison sentence of Dr. Leovares Mendez, who unlawfully prescribed controlled substances at his Garland, Texas medical clinic. The appeals court rejected challenges to jury instructions, evidence sufficiency, and sentencing enhancement.

•Dr. Leovares Mendez convicted on seven federal charges for unlawfully prescribing controlled substances at Texas clinic

•Fifth Circuit affirmed 84-month prison sentence, rejecting appeals on jury instructions and evidence sufficiency

•Two Housing Authority of South Bend leaders convicted of orchestrating kickback scheme with fake maintenance contracts

7th Circuit Affirms Wire Fraud Convictions in Housing Authority Kickback Scheme

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed wire fraud convictions against two former Housing Authority of South Bend leaders who orchestrated a kickback scheme involving fake maintenance contracts. The court reversed bank fraud charges while upholding convictions related to the misuse of federal housing funds.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed wire fraud convictions but reversed bank fraud charges on technical grounds

3w ago•5 min read

•Seventh Circuit affirmed wire fraud convictions but reversed bank fraud convictions for Housing Authority officials

7th Circuit Upholds Wire Fraud Convictions for Housing Officials

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld wire fraud convictions but reversed bank fraud convictions for two Housing Authority of South Bend leaders who orchestrated a kickback scheme involving fictional maintenance contracts. The scheme diverted federal funds intended for affordable housing.

•Robinson and Smith orchestrated kickback scheme involving fictional maintenance contracts on federal housing properties

•Seventh Circuit reversed bank fraud convictions on Counts 2-7 for both defendants

7th Circuit Reverses Bank Fraud Convictions in Robinson-Smith Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit granted a petition for panel rehearing and reversed bank fraud convictions for defendants Tonya Robinson and Albert Smith, while affirming their wire fraud convictions. The court directed the district court to enter a judgment of acquittal on the bank fraud counts.

•Wire fraud conviction on Count 8 was affirmed for both defendants

•Seventh Circuit reversed bank fraud convictions on Counts 2-7 but affirmed wire fraud conviction on Count 8

7th Circuit Reverses Bank Fraud Convictions, Orders Acquittal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit granted a petition for panel rehearing and reversed bank fraud convictions for Tonya Robinson and Albert Smith, directing the district court to enter judgments of acquittal. The court's January 28, 2026 order clarified its previous December 15, 2025 opinion with specific remand instructions.

•Court granted defendants' petition for panel rehearing to clarify remand instructions