Verdict . News

Jan 12, 2026•4 min read

•Antonio McBride pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges involving fentanyl trafficking in Akron, Ohio

Sixth Circuit Affirms Above-Guidelines Sentence in Federal Drug Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed an above-Guidelines sentence for Antonio McBride, who pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges involving fentanyl trafficking in Akron, Ohio.

•Northern District of Ohio imposed sentence above 46-57 month Guidelines range recommendation

•Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed OSHA safety citations against Sofidel America's Ohio paper factory

6th Circuit Reverses OSHA Citations Against Ohio Paper Factory

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit granted Sofidel America's petition for review, reversing OSHA safety citations issued after a worker injury at the company's Circleville, Ohio paper factory. The appeals court overturned the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission's earlier decision upholding multiple workplace safety violations.

•Citations were issued after worker injury involving R88 Rewinder machine at Circleville facility

•Sixth Circuit issued recommended opinion in Kentucky inmate's 30-year-old murder case appeal

6th Circuit Rules in Decades-Old Murder Case Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a recommended opinion in *Donald Herb Johnson v. Laura Plappert*, addressing a Kentucky inmate's challenge to his 30-year-old murder conviction. The case, decided Jan. 9, involves complex questions of guilty plea validity and trial court procedures.

•Donald Herb Johnson challenges validity of guilty plea entered over three decades ago

•Sixth Circuit affirmed 30-year sentence for interstate child sex crimes

6th Circuit Upholds 30-Year Sentence in Federal Child Sex Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a 30-year prison sentence for Soumya Rudra, who pleaded guilty to three federal sex offenses involving minors. The case involved interstate travel for illicit sexual conduct and transportation of child sexual abuse material.

•Defendant traveled from Pennsylvania to Ohio to meet minor victim

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Kelly Richards' conviction on trafficking minors, sexual exploitation, and felon firearm possession charges

6th Circuit Affirms Conviction in Child Trafficking Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Kelly Richards on charges of trafficking minors, sexually exploiting children, and possessing a firearm as a felon. The unanimous three-judge panel rejected Richards' appeal in a decision issued Jan. 9.

•Case involves two 14-year-old girls from Hope Haven for Girls group home in Dayton, Ohio in early 2023

•Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of federal civil rights claims against Michigan township and officials

6th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Civil Rights Claims in Neighbor Dispute

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of federal civil rights claims filed by Deborah Mulcahey against Township of Chocolay, Michigan, and several officials after stalking charges against her were dropped. The appeals court found Mulcahey failed to state plausible claims and forfeited review on some defendants.

•Case originated from neighbor stalking complaint that led to arrest warrant, but charges were later dropped

•Three defendants appealed federal criminal convictions from Western District of Tennessee

6th Circuit Reviews Multi-Defendant Federal Criminal Appeals

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision January 8, 2026, in United States v. Tomarcus Baskerville, involving three defendants who appealed their federal criminal convictions from the Western District of Tennessee. The case has been recommended for publication under Sixth Circuit rules.

•Sixth Circuit recommended the January 8, 2026 decision for publication under court rules

•Sixth Circuit affirmed enhanced six-month sentence for armed robbery of postal worker

6th Circuit Affirms Enhanced Sentence in Armed Postal Worker Robbery

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed an enhanced sentence for Kendrick Holland, who pled guilty to robbing a postal worker at gunpoint. The district court had imposed a six-month upward variance from federal sentencing guidelines, citing the premeditated nature of the crime and its severe psychological impact on the victim.

•District court considered premeditation and severe psychological impact on victim

•Sixth Circuit affirmed jury conviction for federal child pornography possession

6th Circuit Rules on Child Pornography Case in United States v. Florence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published opinion in United States v. Jason Florence, affirming a federal jury conviction for possession of child pornography. The case involved a defendant with prior convictions who was on supervised release at the time of the offense.

•Defendant had prior 2015 convictions and was on supervised release during current offense