Verdict . News

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

•Three brothers convicted of defrauding USPS, UPS, and Citizens Bank in coordinated scheme

Third Circuit Affirms Fraud Convictions of Three DuBose Brothers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the criminal convictions of three brothers—Zumar, Abdush, and Kariem DuBose—for their roles in a fraud scheme targeting the United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, and Citizens Bank. The January 20, 2026 decision rejected multiple appellate arguments from the defendants.

•Third Circuit unanimously affirmed all convictions despite multiple appellate arguments

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•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

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•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

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•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

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit affirmed New Jersey district court's habeas jurisdiction despite initial detention in New York

Third Circuit Rules on Immigration Habeas Jurisdiction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a split ruling in *Mahmoud Khalil v. President United States of America*, holding that a New Jersey federal district court had proper habeas corpus jurisdiction over an immigration detainee's petition but lacked subject matter jurisdiction under immigration law. The decision clarifies jurisdictional questions when detainees are transferred between facilities during ongoing legal proceedings.

•Court held that Immigration and Nationality Act stripped district court of subject matter jurisdiction over immigration claims

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•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

Jan 14, 2026•5 min read

•Third Circuit reverses conviction due to insufficient factual basis for plea agreement

3rd Circuit Reverses Conviction Over Defective Plea in Procurement Case

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Nicole Schuster's conviction, ruling that her plea agreement lacked a sufficient factual basis under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(b)(3). The court emphasized courts must carefully scrutinize plea agreements to ensure defendants don't plead guilty to conduct that fails to satisfy offense elements.

•Court emphasizes Federal Rule 11(b)(3) requires careful judicial scrutiny of plea deals

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed conviction for methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute

Third Circuit Affirms Drug Conviction Despite Witness Challenges

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Diego Castillo-Pedraza for methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute. Castillo-Pedraza had challenged the admission of cooperating witness testimony and his below-Guidelines sentence, but the appellate court rejected both arguments in a non-precedential opinion filed January 14, 2026.

•Defendant challenged admission of cooperating witness testimony at trial

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Leroy Irvin's conditional guilty plea to federal fentanyl distribution charges was upheld by the Third Circuit

3rd Circuit Upholds Fentanyl Distribution Conviction for Pennsylvania Man

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction of Leroy Irvin, who pleaded guilty to federal fentanyl distribution charges. The non-precedential opinion rejected Irvin's appeals challenging evidence obtained through search warrants and his 120-month prison sentence.

•The case began with ShotSpotter detection of gunfire at a Pittsburgh housing complex, leading to search warrants