Verdict . News

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit vacated Barry's sentence for legal error in accountability determination

11th Circuit Vacates Sentence in $2M Credit Card Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit vacated the sentence of Abdoulaye Barry, who was convicted in a sophisticated credit card fraud scheme that netted over $2 million in cigarette purchases from Sam's Club. The appeals court ruled that the district court erred by holding Barry accountable for the full amount charged by all co-conspirators without first determining his individual responsibility.

•Fraud scheme used stolen credit cards and shared Sam's Club memberships to buy $2M in cigarettes

•Zadeh Kicks LLC was an Oregon corporation selling limited edition sneakers online before its closure

Legal News

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

Sneaker Company Owner Sentenced for $80 Million Fraud Scheme

The former owner of Zadeh Kicks LLC, an Oregon-based online sneaker retailer, was sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating an $80 million fraud conspiracy. The scheme defrauded customers of over $65 million in unfulfilled orders while stealing more than $15 million from financial institutions.

•The fraud scheme totaled $80 million: $65 million from unfulfilled customer orders and $15 million from bank fraud

•25-year-old Maryland resident sentenced to 37 months in federal prison

Legal News

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

Maryland Man Gets 37 Months for Airport Car Theft Conspiracy

Tyrese McKinnon, 25, of Temple Hills, Maryland, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to steal vehicles from airport parking facilities. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

•Criminal conspiracy specifically targeted vehicles at airport parking facilities

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 6, 2026•2 min read

Sixth Circuit Affirms 121-Month Sentence in Nigerian Fraud Scheme

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the 121-month prison sentence for Fatai Okunola, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to a Nigerian-based online fraud scheme targeting vulnerable individuals. Okunola challenged his sentence as procedurally and substantively unreasonable.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed 121-month prison sentence for Fatai Okunola's role in Nigerian-based online fraud scheme

•Okunola pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, false naturalization statements, and money laundering charges

Jan 6, 2026•4 min read

•Jose Romeu has served over 30 years of a life sentence for drug trafficking offenses from the 1990s

11th Circuit Denies Compassionate Release for Life-Sentenced Drug Offender

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the denial of compassionate release for Jose Romeu, who has served over 30 years of a life sentence for drug trafficking offenses committed in the early 1990s. Romeu, representing himself, sought early release under federal compassionate release provisions.

•The Eleventh Circuit affirmed denial of his compassionate release motion under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed denial of compassionate release for Ponzi scheme defendant serving 151-month sentence

11th Circuit Denies Compassionate Release for Ponzi Scheme Defendant

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the denial of a compassionate release motion for Karamchand Doobay, who is serving a 151-month sentence for defrauding investors of more than $8 million through a Ponzi scheme. The court held that his family circumstances do not constitute the extraordinary and compelling reasons required for early release.

•Karamchand Doobay defrauded 84 investors of over $8 million through fraudulent investment scheme in Florida

Jan 5, 2026•4 min read

•Three defendants convicted of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery had their convictions affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit

11th Circuit Upholds Hobbs Act Robbery Conspiracy Convictions

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions of three defendants on charges of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. The defendants challenged multiple aspects of their trial but lost on all grounds after a comprehensive review.

•Court rejected challenges to photo lineup identification evidence and Rule 404(b) evidence admission

•Kain Blackwing allegedly directed three women in polygamous relationships to murder a 14-year-old rape victim and her family from his jail cell

State Court

Nov 28, 2025•4 min read

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Evidence in Blackwing Murder Plot Case

The Utah Supreme Court issued a ruling in State v. Blackwing involving a defendant charged with orchestrating an attempted murder plot from jail to prevent a 14-year-old rape victim from testifying. The case centers on evidentiary standards in a complex criminal conspiracy involving polygamous relationships and witness intimidation.

•The Utah Supreme Court ruled on an interlocutory appeal regarding evidentiary standards in the complex conspiracy case

•Carson convicted of stealing $60,000 cash and valuables from neighbor's safes

State Court

Jul 31, 2025•4 min read

Michigan Supreme Court

Michigan Supreme Court Upholds Conviction in $60,000 Safebreaking Case

The Michigan Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of Michael G. Carson on multiple felony charges including safebreaking and larceny of property valued at $20,000 or more. Carson was found guilty of stealing approximately $60,000 in cash and valuable items from his neighbor's safes in 2019.

•Text messages on defendant's phone provided crucial evidence of criminal coordination