Verdict . News

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Denies Mandamus Petition in Multi-District Federal Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied a mandamus petition filed by Joseph Cammarata, who was convicted in 2022 of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering involving false claims to securities class action administrators. The non-precedential decision addressed his attempt to compel district court actions across multiple related federal matters.

•Third Circuit denied Joseph Cammarata's mandamus petition seeking to compel district court actions across multiple federal cases

•Cammarata was convicted in 2022 of securities fraud involving false claims to class action administrators, sentenced to 10 years and $48 million liability

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

4th Circuit Affirms Knox Conviction in Federal Carjacking Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed in part and affirmed in part the conviction of Michael Joseph Knox in a federal carjacking and conspiracy case. Knox had pled guilty to multiple federal charges including conspiracy and brandishing firearms in furtherance of violent crimes.

•Knox pled guilty to conspiracy, carjacking, and firearm charges under federal law

•The Fourth Circuit dismissed part of his appeal while affirming the conviction

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms 92-Month Sentence in Meth Distribution Case

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 92-month prison sentence for Jeffrey Scott Munro, who pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Munro had challenged his sentence as substantively unreasonable.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed Jeffrey Munro's 92-month sentence for methamphetamine distribution conspiracy

•Investigation revealed Munro was part of network supplying Marquette County with methamphetamine by the pound

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Upholds 60-Month Sentence for $1.2M Fraud Scheme

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has affirmed the conviction and 60-month prison sentence of Karl Hampton, who was found guilty of orchestrating a fraud scheme that cost victims over $1.2 million. Hampton was convicted on 12 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

•Hampton convicted on 12 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering

•Scheme involved spending over $1.2 million of other people's money over multiple years

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Trade Secrets Conviction in Martinez Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Juan Martinez for conspiracy to steal trade secrets under federal law. Martinez challenged both the trial court's exclusion of a legal impossibility defense and the sentencing enhancement based on intended loss calculations.

•The 11th Circuit affirmed Martinez's conviction for conspiracy to steal trade secrets under 18 U.S.C. § 1832(a)(5)

•The court rejected Martinez's argument that he should have been allowed to raise a legal impossibility defense in closing arguments

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

D.C. Circuit Upholds Convictions in Apple iPhone Fraud Scheme

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the criminal convictions of two defendants who participated in an elaborate fraud scheme involving counterfeit iPhones. Haotian Sun and Peng Fei Xue received prison sentences for mail fraud and conspiracy charges related to their efforts to defraud Apple through fake device returns.

•D.C. Circuit affirmed convictions for mail fraud and conspiracy in counterfeit iPhone scheme

•Defendants received 50+ month prison sentences for defrauding Apple through fake warranty claims

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Affirms Money Laundering Conviction for Car Dealer Lopez

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction of Christopher Lopez, who operated a used car dealership and was found guilty of conspiracy to conduct financial transactions intended to conceal proceeds from illegal activity. The court rejected Lopez's arguments that evidence was insufficient and that the indictment was improperly amended.

•Third Circuit affirmed money laundering conspiracy conviction of car dealer Christopher Lopez

•Court rejected arguments about insufficient evidence and improper indictment amendment

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

11th Circuit Affirms Murder-for-Hire Convictions in Florida Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has upheld the convictions of three defendants in a federal murder-for-hire conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of two men. Kermon Williams, James Higgs Jr., and Jhaphre Higgs lost their appeals after a thirteen-day trial in Florida federal court.

•Three defendants convicted in federal murder-for-hire conspiracy that killed Tywan Armstrong and Roger Ford

•Eleventh Circuit rejected defendants' challenges to interstate commerce jurisdiction and constitutional authority

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

6th Circuit Affirms Elder Fraud Conviction, Rejects Suppression Appeals

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Everette Jhamal Thibou in an international elder fraud conspiracy case. The court rejected his appeals challenging the denial of motions to suppress evidence and statements obtained during his arrest.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed conviction of Everette Jhamal Thibou for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in international elder-fraud scheme

•Court rejected three challenges: suppression of vehicle search evidence, suppression of statements allegedly taken without Miranda warnings, and improper use of victim impact statements at sentencing