Verdict . News

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

•Leo Steban Chumwalooky pled guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country under federal jurisdiction

10th Circuit Affirms Sexual Abuse Sentence Enhancement

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a sentence enhancement for Leo Steban Chumwalooky, who pled guilty to sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country. The appellate court upheld the district court's finding that Chumwalooky had supervisory control over the victim.

•District court applied sentence enhancement for supervisory control over victim under U.S.S.G. § 2A3.2(b)(1)

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•Tenured NMSU professor Gary Roemer sued university officials after his August 2021 termination

10th Circuit Issues Decision in NMSU Professor Termination Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued an order and judgment in Roemer v. Board of Regents of New Mexico State University, involving a tenured professor's termination and constitutional rights claims. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression participated as amicus curiae, indicating significant First Amendment implications.

•The Tenth Circuit decided the appeal without oral argument, finding written briefs sufficient

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•Tenth Circuit ruled against Kesters Merchandising Display International in false advertising case

10th Circuit Reviews False Advertising Case in Display Industry

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Kesters Merchandising Display International v. SurfaceQuest, addressing false advertising claims under the Lanham Act involving alleged misuse of competitor photographs in marketing materials.

•Court found insufficient evidence to prove injury required for Lanham Act claims

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•Tenth Circuit examines whether police can search suspects with probable cause but no actual arrest

Tenth Circuit Reviews Police Search Without Arrest in Montgomery v. Cruz

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued a published opinion January 6, 2026, in Montgomery v. Cruz examining whether a police officer can justify searching a suspect's pockets and wallet without making an actual arrest. The case addresses the boundaries of Fourth Amendment protections when officers have probable cause but don't arrest.

•Published decision will set precedent for six-state Tenth Circuit jurisdiction

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

•Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for University of Kansas Hospital Authority in negligent supervision case

Tenth Circuit Upholds Summary Judgment in Hospital Assault Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment in favor of the University of Kansas Hospital Authority in a negligent supervision case. Patient Tamatha Hennessey had alleged that a hospital employee sexually assaulted her during a radiologic procedure, but the appeals court found insufficient evidence to establish whether the assault was foreseeable to the hospital.

•Patient alleged sexual assault by hospital employee during radiologic procedure

Jan 2, 2026•5 min read

•Tenth Circuit addressed whether district courts must personally invite defendants to speak during supervised release revocation hearings

10th Circuit Rules on Allocution Rights in Supervised Release Cases

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued a ruling in United States v. Miller addressing whether district courts must personally invite defendants to speak during supervised release revocation hearings. The case arose after Dominic Miller was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for supervised release violations without being given the opportunity to allocute before the court.

•Dominic Miller was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment without being personally invited to allocute before the court

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

•Michael Williams was indicted for impersonating an FBI agent and being a felon in possession of firearms

10th Circuit Reverses Evidence Suppression in FBI Impersonation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit reversed a district court's decision to suppress evidence against Michael Brandon Williams, who was indicted for impersonating an FBI agent and illegal firearms possession. The appellate court ruled that the good-faith exception to the exclusionary rule applied, allowing prosecutors to use evidence seized from Williams' home.

•The Tenth Circuit reversed a district court's decision to suppress evidence seized from Williams' home