Verdict . News

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit affirmed dismissal of federal civil rights claims against Guilford County DSS

4th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Families' Claims Against Guilford DSS

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of federal claims brought by two families against Guilford County, North Carolina and its Department of Social Services. The unpublished decision rejected challenges by the Rhoads and Ethridge families against multiple DSS officials.

•Two families (Rhoads and Ethridge) challenged actions by multiple DSS officials and employees

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Francis pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

4th Circuit Affirms Enhanced Gun Sentence for Repeat Felon

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction and enhanced sentence of Elias Phillip Francis, who pleaded guilty to federal firearm possession charges. The court upheld the district court's determination that Francis qualified for enhanced sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act due to his three prior violent felony convictions.

•District court found Francis had three prior violent felony convictions qualifying him for Armed Career Criminal Act enhancement

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit unanimously denied Dominion Coal Corporation's petition challenging black lung benefits award

Fourth Circuit Denies Dominion Coal's Black Lung Benefits Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied Dominion Coal Corporation's petition challenging a black lung benefits award to coal miner Darrell G. Meade. The unanimous three-judge panel upheld the Benefits Review Board's decision granting compensation under federal workers' compensation programs.

•Court upheld Benefits Review Board decision granting compensation to coal miner Darrell G. Meade

Jan 15, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit unanimously denied Clinchfield Coal Company's petition challenging black lung benefits

4th Circuit Denies Coal Company's Black Lung Benefits Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied Clinchfield Coal Company's petition challenging workers' compensation benefits awarded to former underground coal miner Vernon Vanderpool, who developed black lung disease after over two decades of mining work.

•Vernon Vanderpool worked over 20 years underground before developing pneumoconiosis

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed district court ruling favoring Wilson Air Center in ADA discrimination case

4th Circuit Affirms Aviation Company Win in COVID-Era ADA Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling in favor of Wilson Air Center, LLC in a disability discrimination case brought by employee DeAnne Haggins, who was diagnosed with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court held that the company's efforts to accommodate Haggins exceeded legal requirements.

•Court found aviation company exceeded legal duties by allowing full-time remote work during pandemic

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed district court ruling favoring Butterball in wage dispute

4th Circuit Affirms Ruling Against Butterball Worker in Wage Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court's ruling in favor of Butterball, LLC in a wage dispute brought by employee Osvaldo Figueroa. The appeals court upheld the district court's determination that Figueroa was a piece-rate rather than hourly employee.

•Court upheld determination that plaintiff was piece-rate rather than hourly employee

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit affirmed Charmaine Brown's conviction on passport fraud conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, bankruptcy fraud, and false statements charges

4th Circuit Affirms Fraud Conviction of Charmaine Brown

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the federal fraud conviction of Charmaine Miesha Brown, who was found guilty of conspiracy to commit passport fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, bankruptcy fraud, and making false statements in bankruptcy proceedings. The court sentenced Brown to 30 months in prison.

•Brown received a 30-month prison sentence after jury trial in Maryland federal court

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

•Fourth Circuit affirmed district court ruling against inmate William White in 2-1 decision

4th Circuit Affirms Prison Warden in First Step Act Time Credits Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling against federal inmate William A. White, who challenged the Bureau of Prisons' failure to provide First Step Act programming during a three-day transfer period. The 2-1 decision featured a dissenting opinion, highlighting disagreement over federal prisoners' rights to earn time credits.

•Case involved First Step Act time credits during three-day transfer period between federal facilities

Jan 12, 2026•4 min read

•Federal jury convicted Diape Seck after eight-day trial on nine counts including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud

4th Circuit Affirms Bank Fraud Conviction in United States v. Seck

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Diape Seck on multiple counts of bank and wire fraud conspiracy following an eight-day federal trial. The court upheld a 36-month sentence and ordered $1.7 million in restitution.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed conviction and 36-month sentence with $1.7 million restitution order