Verdict . News

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed wire fraud sentence for defendant who defrauded COVID-19 relief programs including PPP and EIDL

11th Circuit Affirms Wire Fraud Sentence in COVID-19 Relief Program Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the wire fraud sentence of Omar Loaces Gonzalez, who defrauded COVID-19-era relief programs. The court rejected Gonzalez's arguments that the district court misapplied federal sentencing guidelines and imposed an unreasonable sentence.

•Court rejected challenges to both sentencing guidelines application and substantive reasonableness of the sentence

•Three defendants convicted of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery had their convictions affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit

11th Circuit Upholds Hobbs Act Robbery Conspiracy Convictions

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions of three defendants on charges of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. The defendants challenged multiple aspects of their trial but lost on all grounds after a comprehensive review.

•Court rejected challenges to photo lineup identification evidence and Rule 404(b) evidence admission

•Eleventh Circuit denied Colombian national's asylum petition in case involving FARC persecution

11th Circuit Denies Colombian Asylum Seeker's Immigration Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied Ginna Alejandra Gutierrez-Mikan's petition for review of an immigration judge's decision rejecting her asylum application. The Colombian national and her son had sought protection from persecution by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia after refusing to pay extortion money.

•Gutierrez-Mikan and her son sought protection after refusing to pay extortion to guerrilla forces

•Eleventh Circuit rules force must occur before or during property taking for Hobbs Act robbery conviction

11th Circuit Sets New Hobbs Act Standard for Federal Robbery Cases

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a published opinion in United States v. Jy'Quale Grable, establishing that force must occur before or during property taking to constitute robbery under the Hobbs Act. The court reversed Grable's conviction, ruling that force applied only after theft was complete does not meet federal robbery standards.

•Court reverses Jy'Quale Grable's federal robbery conviction because force was used only after theft was complete

•Eleventh Circuit reversed district court's denial of qualified immunity motion as 'premature'

11th Circuit Reverses District Court in Qualified Immunity Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed a district court's denial of a qualified immunity motion, ruling the lower court erred by calling the motion 'premature' before discovery was complete.

•Court held that qualified immunity claims must be ruled on promptly, not deferred until after discovery

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed denial of compassionate release for Ponzi scheme defendant serving 151-month sentence

11th Circuit Denies Compassionate Release for Ponzi Scheme Defendant

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the denial of a compassionate release motion for Karamchand Doobay, who is serving a 151-month sentence for defrauding investors of more than $8 million through a Ponzi scheme. The court held that his family circumstances do not constitute the extraordinary and compelling reasons required for early release.

•Karamchand Doobay defrauded 84 investors of over $8 million through fraudulent investment scheme in Florida

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

•Chad Allen Pease received a 271-month federal sentence for attempted child enticement and related charges as a registered sex offender

11th Circuit Upholds 271-Month Sentence for Child Enticement

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 271-month federal prison sentence for Chad Allen Pease, who was convicted of attempted enticement of a minor and commission of a felony offense involving a minor by a registered sex offender. The appeals court rejected Pease's challenge to the district court's denial of a sentence reduction for acceptance of responsibility.

•The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his challenge to the district court's denial of a sentence reduction for acceptance of responsibility

Jan 2, 2026•4 min read

•Pro se plaintiff alleged his driver's license was taken without due process by Florida Department of Revenue official

11th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Driver's License Due Process Claims

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a pro se civil rights lawsuit filed by Kenneth R. Parson, Jr. against Florida Department of Revenue official Ann Coffin. Parson alleged his due process rights were violated when his driver's license was suspended without proper notice or hearing.

•District court dismissed Section 1983 civil rights claims without allowing amendment