Verdict . News

•Minter convicted of unlawful firearm possession after brandishing gun during January 2022 road rage incident in Scranton

3rd Circuit Affirms 100-Month Sentence in Felon Gun Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction and 100-month prison sentence of Victorious Minter for unlawful firearm possession following a road rage incident in Scranton. The court ruled that a recent Supreme Court decision foreclosed Minter's primary argument on appeal.

•Third Circuit affirmed 100-month sentence, noting recent Supreme Court ruling foreclosed defendant's main appellate argument

•Kyle Stevens pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and interstate threats against a University of Delaware classmate

3rd Circuit Affirms Restitution Order in Cyberstalking Case

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a restitution order against Kyle Stevens, who pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and making interstate threats against a University of Delaware victim. Stevens had challenged the inclusion of post-arrest costs and car registration expenses in the restitution calculation.

•Stevens sent violent threats from Germany between September and November 2021, including death threats

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Denies Immigration Appeal in Cruz De Saenz Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Karla Rubenia Cruz De Saenz challenging a Board of Immigration Appeals decision. The January 16, 2026 ruling drew support from seven major immigration advocacy organizations.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously denied the petition for review in an unpublished opinion

•Seven prominent immigration rights organizations filed amicus briefs supporting the petitioner

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Reverses Drug Conviction, Rules Evidence Insufficient

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Paul Belloisi's drug smuggling conviction, ruling the government failed to prove he knew the contraband in an airplane's avionics compartment contained controlled substances. The court held that while Belloisi admitted to unauthorized access at JFK Airport, evidence was insufficient to show knowledge of the specific drug conspiracy.

•Second Circuit reversed Paul Belloisi's drug smuggling conviction for insufficient evidence of knowledge

•Court held government failed to prove defendant knew contraband contained controlled substances

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Discrimination Claims vs Racing Group

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the dismissal of employment discrimination claims filed by Valerie Lowery against Jefferson County Racing Association. The appeals court found that Lowery's pro se complaint failed to state valid claims under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of Lowery's Title VII and ADA claims for failure to state a claim

•Plaintiff alleged race discrimination, disability discrimination, and retaliation against racing association

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Firearms Convictions on Spirit Lake Reservation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Nathaniel Patrick Azure on six firearms-related charges stemming from incidents on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota. The court rejected Azure's appeal challenging the district court's denial of his motion for mistrial based on alleged prosecutorial misconduct and the admission of Facebook records as evidence.

•Nathaniel Azure convicted on six firearms charges for three shooting incidents on Spirit Lake Reservation between January 2021 and May 2022

•Eighth Circuit rejected Azure's claims of prosecutorial misconduct and improper admission of Facebook records as evidence

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

2nd Circuit Affirms Getty Images Warrant Breach Ruling

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling that Getty Images Holdings, Inc. breached its warrant agreement obligations to investment funds. The appeals court upheld damages awarded to Alta Partners and other warrant holders after Getty Images refused to honor their stock purchase redemption requests.

•Second Circuit affirmed summary judgment ruling that Getty Images breached warrant agreement obligations

•Investment funds led by Alta Partners successfully sued after Getty Images refused to honor warrant redemption requests

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of constitutional claims but remanded disability law claims for further review

3rd Circuit: PA Prison System Must Face Disability Rights Claims

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mixed ruling in a case brought by blind inmate Alan Decker against Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections, affirming dismissal of constitutional claims while allowing disability discrimination claims to proceed on remand.

•Case involves blind inmate Alan Decker challenging delayed placement in Pennsylvania DOC halfway-house program

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of attorney's constitutional rights lawsuit against Virgin Islands bar disciplinary officials

3rd Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Attorney's Rights Suit Over Bar Discipline

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a constitutional rights lawsuit filed by Virgin Islands attorney Peter Lynch against disciplinary counsel officials. The appeals court ruled that federal courts must abstain from interfering with ongoing state disciplinary proceedings and that the officials were protected by quasi-judicial immunity.

•Court applied Younger abstention doctrine, requiring federal courts to avoid interfering with ongoing state disciplinary proceedings