Verdict . News

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court decision favoring Mountaire Farms in employment termination case

4th Circuit Affirms Mountaire Farms' Termination of Injured Worker

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court's decision favoring Mountaire Farms of North Carolina Corporation in an employment termination case. Former rehang supervisor Craige Robinson challenged his firing after he was unable to return to work following a serious injury and FMLA leave.

•Former rehang supervisor Craige Robinson was terminated after FMLA leave when accommodation efforts failed

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied petition for review in immigration case involving El Salvador native Maria Cortez Pineda

Fourth Circuit Denies Immigration Appeal for El Salvador Native

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Maria Cortez Pineda, an El Salvador native seeking asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. Eight major immigration advocacy organizations supported the unsuccessful appeal against Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

•Eight prominent immigration rights organizations filed amicus briefs supporting the unsuccessful appeal

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed conviction in unpublished per curiam opinion filed Feb. 4, 2026

Fourth Circuit Affirms Hobbs Act Robbery Conviction for Larry Pyos Jr.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of Larry Pyos Jr. on multiple federal robbery and firearm charges in an unpublished per curiam decision. The case originated from a 2016 jury conviction in the Eastern District of Virginia involving conspiracy and multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery.

•Original 2016 conviction included 20 federal charges ranging from Hobbs Act robbery to felon in possession of firearm

•Fourth Circuit affirmed Lawrence Levon Jones's drug and firearms convictions and 480-month sentence

Fourth Circuit Affirms Drug, Firearms Convictions for Jones

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the drug and firearms convictions of Lawrence Levon Jones, rejecting his challenges to evidentiary rulings, motion denials, and sentencing enhancements. Jones received a 480-month prison sentence for his role in a drug-trafficking operation.

•Jones challenged evidentiary rulings, motion denials, and sentencing enhancements on appeal

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed Heggins' wire fraud conviction and 24-month sentence

4th Circuit Affirms Wire Fraud Conviction in Heggins Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Daniel Frank Heggins' conviction for aiding and abetting wire fraud, upholding his 24-month prison sentence and $6,029 restitution order. The unpublished per curiam decision rejected Heggins' appeal challenging both his conviction and restitution requirements.

•Court rejected challenges to conviction and $6,029 restitution order to settlement company

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court ruling favoring Montgomery County Board of Education

Fourth Circuit Affirms Montgomery County School Board in Education Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of the Montgomery County Board of Education in a lawsuit brought by the Association for Education Fairness. The unpublished decision, filed February 3, 2026, upheld the district court's judgment.

•Association for Education Fairness, represented by Pacific Legal Foundation, was unsuccessful in appeal

•Fourth Circuit vacated district court's dismissal of discrimination lawsuit against Prince George's County

4th Circuit Remands Civil Rights Case Against Prince George's County

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated a lower court's dismissal and remanded Randy Richardson's civil rights lawsuit against Prince George's County. Richardson alleged the county's permitting department discriminated against his minority-owned small business through harassment and improper fines.

•Richardson alleged county's permitting department discriminated against his minority-owned business

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed perjury and False Claims Act conviction of Jacky Lynn McComber

4th Circuit Affirms Perjury, False Claims Act Conviction

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Jacky Lynn McComber on perjury and False Claims Act violations in an unpublished per curiam opinion issued Feb. 2. The court rejected multiple challenges to the trial proceedings and evidence.

•Court rejected challenges to evidence admission, jury instructions, loss calculations, and prosecutorial conduct

•Fourth Circuit vacated 36-month supervised release revocation sentence for inadequate explanation

4th Circuit Vacates 36-Month Sentence in Supervised Release Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded a 36-month revocation sentence imposed on Francisco Celedon, ruling the district court failed to adequately explain its decision to impose the statutory maximum. The 2-1 decision sends the case back for resentencing.

•Court ruled 2-1 that district court failed to justify imposing statutory maximum penalty