Verdict . News

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Upholds Fraud Conviction of Clean Energy CEO Who Called Himself 'Modern Icarus'

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the 48-count conviction of James P. Abrams, a clean energy startup founder who defrauded investors using forged documents and false financial statements. Abrams, who compared himself to the mythological figure Icarus, received a 72-month prison sentence and must pay $1.2 million in restitution.

•Third Circuit affirmed 48-count conviction including wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction charges

•Abrams used forged documents and false financial statements to deceive clean energy startup investors

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Child Sexual Abuse Material Conviction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Billy J. Griffith for receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material. The unpublished opinion upheld a 132-month prison sentence handed down by a West Virginia federal court.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed Billy J. Griffith's conviction for receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material

•Griffith received 132-month prison sentence, a downward variance from sentencing guidelines

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