Verdict . News

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

4th Circuit Affirms Aviation Company Win in COVID-Era ADA Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling in favor of Wilson Air Center, LLC in a disability discrimination case brought by employee DeAnne Haggins, who was diagnosed with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court held that the company's efforts to accommodate Haggins exceeded legal requirements.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed district court ruling favoring Wilson Air Center in ADA discrimination case

•Court found aviation company exceeded legal duties by allowing full-time remote work during pandemic

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

Tenth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Excessive Force Case Against Colorado Springs Officer

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of Jacob Root's Section 1983 excessive force complaint against Colorado Springs Police Officer Robert Comstock and the City of Colorado Springs.

•Tenth Circuit affirmed district court dismissal of Section 1983 excessive force complaint against Colorado Springs police officer

•Jacob Root's lawsuit against Officer Robert Comstock and the City of Colorado Springs failed to state a valid claim under federal pleading standards

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

5th Circuit Affirms Immigration Conviction in Zavala-Garcia Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on an appeal by Joel Zavala-Garcia, who challenged his conviction and sentence for illegal reentry into the United States after deportation. The defendant argued that statutory sentencing enhancements under federal immigration law are unconstitutional.

•Joel Zavala-Garcia challenged his illegal reentry conviction and sentencing enhancement under 8 U.S.C. § 1326

•The Fifth Circuit panel acknowledged the challenge is foreclosed by Almendarez-Torres v. United States precedent

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit: Courts Cannot Delegate Treatment Decisions to Probation

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal district courts improperly delegate judicial authority when allowing probation officers to determine whether defendants receive inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment. The court vacated the supervised release condition in United States v. Dubois and remanded the case.

•Fifth Circuit ruled courts cannot delegate inpatient vs. outpatient treatment decisions to probation officers

•Court vacated supervised release condition and remanded case for proper judicial determination

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Fraud Conviction of Charmaine Brown

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the federal fraud conviction of Charmaine Miesha Brown, who was found guilty of conspiracy to commit passport fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, bankruptcy fraud, and making false statements in bankruptcy proceedings. The court sentenced Brown to 30 months in prison.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed Charmaine Brown's conviction on passport fraud conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, bankruptcy fraud, and false statements charges

•Brown received a 30-month prison sentence after jury trial in Maryland federal court

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

10th Circuit Rules on Police Detention in Federal Gun Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued a ruling in United States v. Chafin, addressing whether police properly detained Jeremy Daniel Chafin during an encounter that led to federal firearm possession charges. The case involved a motion to suppress evidence based on claims of unlawful investigatory detention.

•Jeremy Daniel Chafin was charged with illegal firearm possession as a convicted felon under federal law

•District court granted Chafin's motion to suppress evidence, finding unlawful police detention

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Life Sentence for Gang Leader in RICO Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the life imprisonment sentence of Derrick Slade, known as 'D' and 'Solja,' who was convicted on ten counts related to his leadership role in the 'Onsight' criminal gang. The January 13, 2026 decision represents a significant federal victory against organized crime in South Florida.

•Derrick Slade received life imprisonment plus five years supervised release following jury conviction on ten federal counts

•Slade was a leader in the 'Onsight' criminal gang operating in South Florida

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Federal Circuit Upholds MSPB Dismissal of DEA Executive's Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Merit Systems Protection Board's dismissal of a petition by Nicholas Palmeri, a Senior Executive Service employee at the DEA, who challenged an alleged involuntary retirement. The court ruled that SES employees must use the Attorney General's regulatory appeal system rather than the MSPB for such disputes.

•Federal Circuit upheld MSPB's jurisdictional dismissal of SES employee's appeal

•Court clarified that DEA Senior Executive Service employees must use Attorney General's appeal system, not MSPB

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Grants Immigration Appeal in Ahmed v. Bondi Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit granted a petition for review and remanded an immigration case to the Board of Immigration Appeals on January 13, 2026. The case, Ahmed v. Bondi, represents one of the first immigration appeals decided under Attorney General Pamela Bondi's tenure.

•Second Circuit Court of Appeals granted petition for review and remanded immigration case to Board of Immigration Appeals

•Case represents one of first immigration appeals decided under Attorney General Pamela Bondi's tenure