Verdict . News

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

1w ago•4 min read

Eleventh Circuit Affirms Cocaine Distribution Sentence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a federal criminal sentence against Joseph Acevedo, who was convicted on cocaine distribution and firearm charges after police discovered drugs, cash, and a weapon during a traffic stop in Florida.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed federal sentence against Joseph Acevedo for cocaine distribution and firearm charges

•Case began with traffic stop that revealed cocaine, $12,540 in cash, and loaded pistol

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

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.

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

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

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds 20-Year Fentanyl Sentence for Career Offender

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 240-month prison sentence for Eddy Alexander Salinas, who was convicted of distributing large quantities of fentanyl in Southern Florida. The court rejected Salinas's challenge that his sentence was procedurally unreasonable.

•Eddy Salinas received 240-month sentence for distributing 40+ grams of fentanyl and conspiracy charges

•Appeals court rejected claim that sentence was procedurally unreasonable

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

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 on multiple federal robbery and firearm charges in an unpublished per curiam decision.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.

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed conviction in unpublished per curiam opinion filed Feb. 4, 2026

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

State Court

Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Supreme Court Hears State v. Johnson Murder Appeal

The Connecticut Supreme Court has issued a decision in State v. Johnson, a criminal case involving murder, first-degree burglary, and conspiracy convictions. The case centered on Miranda rights issues during police interviews following the discovery of a decomposed body.

•Connecticut Supreme Court decided appeal in murder case involving Miles Johnson

•Case centered on Miranda rights issues during police interviews after body discovery

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms Denial of Coram Nobis Petition in Wire Fraud Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of Eugene J. Lockhart Jr.'s petition for writ of coram nobis, an extraordinary legal remedy seeking to overturn his conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. The brief ruling represents the latest development in a case that originated in 2009 in the Northern District of Texas.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed denial of coram nobis petition without detailed explanation

•Lockhart originally pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving wire fraud and bank fraud

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•4 min read

Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Doctor's 84-Month Prison Sentence

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and 84-month prison sentence of Dr. Leovares Mendez, who unlawfully prescribed controlled substances at his Garland, Texas medical clinic. The appeals court rejected challenges to jury instructions, evidence sufficiency, and sentencing enhancement.

•Dr. Leovares Mendez convicted on seven federal charges for unlawfully prescribing controlled substances at Texas clinic

•Fifth Circuit affirmed 84-month prison sentence, rejecting appeals on jury instructions and evidence sufficiency

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•4 min read

10th Circuit Dismisses Inmate's Civil Rights Lawsuit on Limitations

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of civil rights claims filed by pro se inmate Michael Balance against Johnson County, Kansas officials. The appellate court upheld the district court's ruling that the lawsuit was filed beyond the applicable statute of limitations.

•Tenth Circuit affirmed dismissal of inmate Michael Balance's civil rights lawsuit against Johnson County, Kansas officials

•District court dismissed the case on statute of limitations grounds, finding claims were filed too late

Second Circuit Court of Appeals

3w ago•4 min read

Second Circuit Affirms PPE Price Gouging Conviction Under Defense Production Act

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has affirmed the conviction of Kent Bulloch for conspiracy to violate the Defense Production Act during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bulloch was found guilty of participating in a scheme to purchase personal protective equipment in bulk and resell it for profit during the national emergency.

•Second Circuit affirmed misdemeanor conviction under Defense Production Act of 1950

•Case involved bulk purchasing and reselling of PPE for profit during COVID-19 pandemic