Verdict . News

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Enhanced Sentence for Child Porn Defendant

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed an enhanced prison sentence for Bryan Michael Vannausdle, who pled guilty to receiving child pornography after exchanging explicit materials with a 13-14-year-old girl. The appeals court upheld the district court's application of federal sentencing enhancement guidelines.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed 240-month prison sentence for defendant who pled guilty to receiving child pornography

•Vannausdle exchanged explicit materials with 13-14-year-old girl and made sexual solicitations

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 23, 2026•5 min read

7th Circuit Reviews Prison Officials' Liability in Cellmate Attack Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals examined whether federal prison officials at the Terre Haute facility can be held liable under Bivens for failing to protect an inmate from repeated cellmate attacks. The court decided the case on January 23, 2026, after arguments heard in May 2025.

•Derek Thomas sued federal prison officials under Bivens for alleged failure to protect him from repeated cellmate attacks at FCC Terre Haute

•The Seventh Circuit examined whether Thomas's claims fit within established Bivens precedent and could overcome qualified immunity defenses

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Drug Conviction After Anonymous Tip Led to Car Search

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a drug conviction against Steven Tilden Fellmy, rejecting his argument that methamphetamine found in his car should have been suppressed because officers conducted an unlawful search using a police dog.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed conviction after rejecting argument that methamphetamine evidence should have been suppressed

•Case began with anonymous tip about drug transportation in silver Ford Mustang through Kentucky

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Issues Published Decision in Tennessee Civil Rights Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published decision in *Alford v. Deffendoll*, a civil rights case involving Cannon County sheriff's deputies and a traffic stop that escalated beyond minor violations. The court designated the January 23, 2026 ruling for publication, indicating its precedential value for future cases.

•Sixth Circuit designated the decision for publication, indicating precedential legal significance

•Case involves civil rights claims against Cannon County deputies following traffic stop

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Rules for Treasure Hunters vs. North Carolina Officials

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a published opinion favoring Frederick Allen and Nautilus Productions in their legal battle against North Carolina Governor Joshua Stein and multiple officials from the state's Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The case involves disputes over maritime archaeology and underwater treasure hunting rights.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of treasure hunters Frederick Allen and Nautilus Productions against North Carolina state officials

•Case involved disputes over underwater archaeology and cultural resource protection with multiple Department of Natural and Cultural Resources officials as defendants

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Reverses Removal Order for Cape Verde Resident's Lewdness Convictions

The First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed an immigration removal order against Lucio Ivaldo Cabral Fortes Tomar, a lawful permanent resident from Cape Verde, ruling that Massachusetts' "open and gross lewdness" statute does not categorically constitute a crime involving moral turpitude under federal immigration law.

•First Circuit reversed removal order for lawful permanent resident with two Massachusetts lewdness convictions

•Court held that Massachusetts' "open and gross lewdness" statute is not categorically a crime involving moral turpitude

•Sixth Circuit ruled witness testimony stating 'do not remember' insufficient evidence for jury findings

CA6

6th Circuit: Memory Gaps Don't Meet Evidence Standard in Prison Care Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that witness testimony stating they "do not remember" whether events occurred is insufficient evidence for a jury to find those events actually happened. The decision came in a case where inmate Michael Victor suffered an epileptic seizure after not receiving anti-seizure medication during overnight jail detention.

•Case involved inmate Michael Victor who suffered seizure after allegedly not receiving medication

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Denial of International Child Return Petition

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of Lucas Alzu's petition to return his child under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. The Argentine father had alleged that Amy Nichole Huff wrongfully removed their child from Argentina.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed district court denial of Hague Convention child return petition

•Case involved Argentine father seeking return of child from Missouri mother

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 23, 2026•5 min read

6th Circuit Reverses, Grants Officer Qualified Immunity in Excessive Force Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a district court decision and granted qualified immunity to Officer Nicholas Rubenstahl, who was accused of using excessive force while executing an arrest warrant against Rebecca Lucas in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

•Sixth Circuit reversed district court denial of qualified immunity for Officer Rubenstahl

•Case involved excessive force allegations during arrest warrant execution for criminal mischief