Verdict . News

1w ago•4 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Cortez Blake's kidnapping conviction on four of five appeal grounds

Sixth Circuit Affirms Kidnapping Conviction, Remands on Supervised Release

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed Cortez Blake's conviction for aiding and abetting kidnapping while remanding one issue regarding supervised release conditions. The published opinion, issued February 5, 2026, addressed five challenges to Blake's conviction and sentence from the Eastern District of Michigan.

•Court remanded case on supervised release conditions issue for further proceedings

1w ago•4 min read

•Sixth Circuit affirmed probation revocation for defendant who violated supervised release within two months

6th Circuit Affirms Probation Revocation for Drug Offender

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's decision to revoke probation for Brandie Nicole Appleton, who violated her supervised release terms within two months of sentencing. The published opinion addresses probation revocation standards in federal drug cases.

•Appleton originally received probation instead of recommended 41-51 month prison sentence for drug and ammunition charges

•Sixth Circuit denied Island Creek Kentucky Mining's petition to review black lung benefits award to coal miner Eddie Stewart

6th Circuit Denies Island Creek Mining Appeal in Black Lung Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied Island Creek Kentucky Mining's petition to review a Benefits Review Board decision that affirmed black lung benefits for coal miner Eddie Stewart. The ruling upholds the administrative law judge's original award under the Black Lung Benefits Act.

•Administrative law judge initially awarded benefits under Black Lung Benefits Act, which Benefits Review Board affirmed

•Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Covington Police Department and five officers in civil rights lawsuit

6th Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Covington Police in Hotel Incident

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling in favor of the City of Covington Police Department and five officers in a civil rights lawsuit stemming from a 3:30 a.m. hotel lobby altercation following a wedding reception.

•Incident stemmed from 3:30 a.m. hotel lobby altercation following wedding reception involving intoxicated guests

•Omar Thomas Wala manufactured and sold 16.1 million counterfeit alprazolam pills on dark web over five years

Sixth Circuit Rules on $4.8M Counterfeit Drug Sentencing in Dark Web Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published opinion Tuesday in United States v. Omar Thomas Wala, addressing sentencing methodology for a defendant who manufactured and sold 16.1 million counterfeit alprazolam pills on the dark web. Wala challenges the district court's loss calculation methodology following his guilty plea to conspiracy and substantive counterfeiting charges.

•Sixth Circuit reviews district court's loss calculation methodology following guilty plea to conspiracy and counterfeiting

•Sixth Circuit affirmed district court's denial of G4S motion to compel arbitration in racial discrimination class action

6th Circuit Affirms Denial of Arbitration in G4S Racial Bias Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of G4S Secure Solutions' motion to compel arbitration in a class action racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Robert Barnes and former colleagues who worked security at Detroit's Renaissance Center.

•Robert Barnes worked security at Detroit's Renaissance Center for over 30 years before termination

•Sixth Circuit denied asylum and other immigration protections for 47-year-old Salvadoran man

6th Circuit Denies Salvadoran Man's Asylum Petition Against AG Bondi

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Domingo Antonio Lopez Alvarado, a 47-year-old Salvadoran man seeking asylum and other immigration protections. The court affirmed lower immigration court rulings that rejected his claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture.

•Court found substantial evidence supported lower court rulings on untimeliness and lack of persecution

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of ADA lawsuit against DDP Specialty Electronic Materials

6th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of ADA Case Against Electronic Materials Co.

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's dismissal of an ADA lawsuit brought by Robert Koscielski, a 20-year employee of DDP Specialty Electronic Materials who was terminated after developing a rare brain condition affecting his balance. The court held that Koscielski could not perform essential job functions even with accommodation.

•20-year employee terminated after developing permanent neurological condition affecting balance

•Sixth Circuit affirmed sentences for marijuana and money laundering conspiracy charges against two Tennessee defendants

6th Circuit Affirms Drug Conspiracy Sentences for Tennessee Defendants

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the sentences of Mason Shelton and Tyler Richard Seaberg, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Both defendants unsuccessfully challenged their sentences as procedurally and substantively unreasonable.

•DEA investigation in summer 2023 led to charges after confidential informant arranged drug purchase discussions