Verdict . News

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Supervised Release Law

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a constitutional challenge to federal supervised release revocation procedures in United States v. Mitchell. Joseph Floyd Mitchell contested 18 U.S.C. § 3583(g) for the first time on appeal after receiving a seven-month prison sentence.

•Fifth Circuit rejected constitutional challenge to 18 U.S.C. § 3583(g) mandatory supervised release revocation statute

•Joseph Floyd Mitchell received seven-month prison sentence after supervised release revocation

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Upholds 51-Month Sentence in Felon Gun Possession Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a 51-month prison sentence for Raekwon Undral Jackson, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jackson challenged his sentence as substantively unreasonable, arguing the district court gave excessive weight to deterrence factors.

•Jackson pleaded guilty to federal felon in possession of firearm charges after discarding weapon during police chase

•District court imposed 51-month sentence at bottom of Guidelines range

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Vacates Sanctions in FCRA Identity Theft Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated sanctions against attorneys in Fletcher v. Experian Information Solutions, a Fair Credit Reporting Act case involving alleged identity theft and fraudulent auto loan reporting. The district court had awarded attorney fees under Rule 11 and 28 U.S.C. § 1927 after determining the claims were baseless.

•Fifth Circuit vacated district court sanctions against attorneys in FCRA identity theft case

•Lower court had awarded attorney fees under both Rule 11 and 28 U.S.C. § 1927

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 6, 2026•2 min read

Sixth Circuit Affirms 121-Month Sentence in Nigerian Fraud Scheme

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the 121-month prison sentence for Fatai Okunola, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to a Nigerian-based online fraud scheme targeting vulnerable individuals. Okunola challenged his sentence as procedurally and substantively unreasonable.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed 121-month prison sentence for Fatai Okunola's role in Nigerian-based online fraud scheme

•Okunola pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, false naturalization statements, and money laundering charges

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

7th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Satanic Temple's Indiana Abortion Challenge

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit by the Satanic Temple challenging Indiana's prohibition on telehealth abortion services. The court ruled the Massachusetts-based religious organization lacked standing to challenge the state's criminal penalties for administering abortion medication.

•Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of Satanic Temple's challenge to Indiana telehealth abortion restrictions

•Court ruled the Massachusetts religious organization lacked standing to sue on behalf of its members

•Eighth Circuit dismissed employment discrimination appeal for missing 30-day filing deadline

8th Circuit Dismisses Worker's Bias Suit Over Late Appeal Filing

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Darran Farmer's employment discrimination lawsuit against FilmTec Corporation and DuPont after he failed to file his appeal within the required 30-day deadline. The court rejected Farmer's argument that his request for reconsideration extended the filing deadline.

•Former FilmTec employee's request for reconsideration did not extend appeal deadline

•State court granted motions to suppress evidence and dismissed all criminal charges

8th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Iowa Officers in Civil Rights Case

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of Iowa police officers and municipalities in a Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit. Plaintiffs Rene Valdivia and Alexis Free had successfully suppressed evidence and obtained dismissal of all criminal charges in state court before filing their federal civil rights claims.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed district court's summary judgment for all defendants

•Jordan Payne told mental health provider he wouldn't kill himself in jail but couldn't guarantee his actions after release

8th Circuit Reviews Mental Health Provider Liability in Jail Suicide Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is reviewing a case where parents are suing a mental health services provider after their son Jordan Payne committed suicide in the Madison County Jail in Iowa. The case centers on whether Eyerly-Ball Community Mental Health Services and its employee adequately responded to clear signs of mental health crisis during a meeting with Payne on the day he took his own life.

•Provider failed to fully communicate Jordan's concerning statements to jail staff, leading to inadequate suicide prevention measures

•Eighth Circuit upheld Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of asylum for Guatemalan mother and child

8th Circuit Upholds Denial of Asylum for Guatemalan Mother, Child

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit denied a petition for review from Rusby Dionisia Aguilar-Hernandez and her minor son, upholding the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to reject their asylum applications. The court found substantial evidence supported the immigration board's denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture.

•Court found substantial evidence supported rejection of asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture claims