Verdict . News

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Affirms Drug Conviction Despite Surveillance Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the drug trafficking conviction of Antonio Carrazco-Martinez, rejecting his Fourth Amendment challenge to government surveillance using cell-site simulators and hidden cameras. The February 5, 2026 decision addresses key questions about modern investigative technology in criminal cases.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed drug trafficking conviction despite Fourth Amendment challenge to surveillance methods

•Government used warrant-authorized cell-site simulators and hidden cameras to investigate Chicago-Mexico drug operation

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9th Circuit Reverses Safety Valve Relief in Drug Sentencing Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's decision granting safety valve relief to Paul Engstrom in a drug-related case, vacating his below-minimum sentence and remanding for resentencing.

•Ninth Circuit reversed district court's safety valve relief determination for drug defendant Paul Engstrom

•Engstrom failed to provide complete debrief to government as required by federal statute

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Vacates Identity Theft Conviction in McDonald Fraud Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Jennifer McDonald's aggravated identity theft conviction while affirming her 30 fraud-related convictions. The court ruled the identity theft did not occur 'during and in relation to' predicate offenses under Supreme Court precedent.

•Fourth Circuit vacated aggravated identity theft conviction but affirmed 30 fraud-related convictions

•Court applied Supreme Court's Dubin v. United States precedent requiring identity theft occur 'during and in relation to' predicate offenses

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Rules on Website Jurisdiction in Gun Marketplace Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit addressed whether online gun marketplace Armslist, LLC can be subject to personal jurisdiction in New Hampshire based on its website operations. The case involves former Boston police officer Kurt Stokinger and his wife suing the Pennsylvania-based company over a 2016 shooting.

•First Circuit addressed personal jurisdiction over Pennsylvania-based gun marketplace Armslist in case brought by former Boston police officer

•Case involves 2015 New Hampshire gun sale allegedly facilitated by website that led to 2016 Boston shooting

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Affirms Rabobank Medical Plan Win in ERISA Benefits Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Rabobank Medical Plan in a dispute with the estate of a deceased plan participant. The case involved executor Sheri Savage challenging the medical plan's decisions regarding benefits for her deceased sister Cindy Sieden.

•Second Circuit affirmed summary judgment in favor of Rabobank Medical Plan in ERISA benefits dispute

•Estate executor Sheri Savage challenged the plan's decisions regarding her deceased sister's benefits

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Care One Healthcare Network Appeals NLRB Decision to Second Circuit

A network of Connecticut healthcare facilities operated by Care One, LLC has appealed a National Labor Relations Board decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The case involves multiple healthcare centers across Connecticut and challenges actions by NLRB members and an administrative law judge.

•Care One, LLC and multiple Connecticut healthcare facilities appealed an NLRB decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals

•The case involves nine healthcare centers across Connecticut operated under the Care One network

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Reverses BIA on Immigration Reopening Deadline Standards

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit granted Leonel Pinilla Perez's petition challenging the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of his untimely motion to reopen removal proceedings. The court found the BIA provided insufficient reasons for denying the motion and remanded for further consideration.

•Second Circuit found BIA provided insufficient reasons for denying motion to reopen

•Case establishes precedent on 'reasonable diligence' standard for removed noncitizens

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Virgin Islands Excise Tax Refund Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of consolidated lawsuits by six construction and trading companies seeking excise tax refunds from the U.S. Virgin Islands. The companies challenged a territorial statute requiring excise taxes on goods brought into the Virgin Islands.

•Six companies lost their consolidated appeal seeking excise tax refunds from the U.S. Virgin Islands

•Third Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of lawsuits challenging territorial excise tax statute

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in ADA Retaliation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of Progressive Pain Management LLC in an employment retaliation lawsuit filed by former physician assistant Renee Wolf.

•Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Progressive Pain Management LLC in ADA retaliation case

•Former physician assistant Renee Wolf failed to establish prima facie case of retaliation