TodayLegal News

Verdict.News

All Topics

Controlled Substances

Legal news related to Controlled Substances

12 articles

Federal Circuit
•4 min read
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Vacates DEA Order Revoking Louisiana Pharmacy License

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated a Drug Enforcement Administration order that revoked Neumann's Pharmacy's controlled substances registration, finding the agency improperly rewrote existing regulations while claiming to apply them.

•Fifth Circuit vacated DEA order revoking Neumann's Pharmacy's controlled substances registration
•Court found DEA improperly rewrote regulations while claiming to apply existing law
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts High Court Rules on Vehicle Search Consent in Drug Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued an opinion in Commonwealth v. Robinson addressing police authority to search vehicles during traffic stops after a defendant gave limited consent to search only the front passenger area.

•Defendant gave limited consent to search "front passenger area" but police found contraband in center console and glove compartment
•Supreme Judicial Court granted direct appellate review, indicating significant constitutional questions
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
State Court
•4 min read
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts SJC Hears Plea Withdrawal Case on Immigration Advice

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is reviewing Commonwealth v. Santana, a case examining whether a defendant can withdraw his guilty plea after claiming his attorney failed to inform him of deportation consequences. Jorge Santana, a lawful U.S. resident, pleaded guilty to drug charges in 2018 that triggered automatic deportation proceedings.

•Jorge Santana seeks to withdraw 2018 guilty plea claiming attorney failed to advise about deportation consequences
•Case centers on Padilla v. Kentucky standards requiring immigration advice for noncitizen defendants
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
Federal Circuit
•4 min read
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

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
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
Federal Circuit
•4 min read
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Upholds Career Offender Status in Cannabis Conviction Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's decision to classify Jesus Alfonso Ruiz as a career offender, rejecting his argument that his 2015 Illinois cannabis conviction should not count as a predicate offense. Ruiz received a 210-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed career offender status despite defendant's hemp/cannabis legal distinction argument
•Court held state drug convictions can qualify as predicates even when substances differ from federal controlled substances
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
Federal Circuit
•4 min read
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Affirms Drug Conspiracy Convictions Under Maritime Law

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the convictions of Roberto Peralta Ibarra and Alberto Peguero under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances on a vessel. The court also upheld Peguero's sentence in the consolidated appeals.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions under Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act for vessel-based drug conspiracy
•Roberto Peralta Ibarra and Alberto Peguero both lost their appeals from Southern District of Florida
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
Federal Circuit
•4 min read
Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Second Circuit Affirms District Court in United States v. Santiago

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court's judgment against defendant Jerrard Santiago in a criminal case. The three-judge panel issued a summary order on January 12, 2026, providing no precedential value under federal appellate rules.

•Second Circuit affirmed district court judgment in criminal case against Jerrard Santiago
•Three-judge panel issued non-precedential summary order on January 12, 2026
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
Federal Circuit
•4 min read
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

5th Circuit Affirms 262-Month Sentence for Career Offender

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 262-month prison sentence for Quintell Dewayne Gladney, who was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and sentenced as a career offender under federal guidelines.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed 262-month sentence for career offender convicted of firearm possession
•Defendant challenged district court's reliance on presentence report to characterize prior Louisiana drug convictions
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
Legal News
•4 min read

Big Island Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms Charges in Hawaii

Vernon Santiago, 45, of Mountain View, Hawaii, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon and unlawful drug user. The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson and highlights federal enforcement efforts against prohibited persons who illegally obtain weapons.

•Santiago pleaded guilty to federal charges of possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon
•He was also charged as an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of weapons
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →
Federal Circuit
•4 min read
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Reverses Armed Career Criminal Act Enhancement for Ferguson

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated the sentence of Darrick Ferguson, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, after determining the district court incorrectly applied an Armed Career Criminal Act enhancement. The appeals court remanded the case for resentencing.

•Eighth Circuit reversed district court's Armed Career Criminal Act enhancement determination
•Ferguson was convicted of felon in possession of firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
AI-generated SummaryRead Article →