Verdict . News

•Indiana Supreme Court reversed Lamenski Ewing's probation revocation in a 3-2 decision due to inadequate notice

State Court

6d ago•4 min read

Indiana Supreme Court

Indiana Supreme Court Reverses Probation Revocation Over Notice Issues

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled 3-2 that Lamenski Ewing's probation revocation must be reversed because he did not receive proper notice that prosecutors sought to revoke his probation in addition to his work release violation.

•The court held that Ewing was not properly notified that prosecutors sought to revoke his probation in addition to his work release

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

1w ago•4 min read

11th Circuit Upholds 16-Year Sentence for Shooting at Federal Officer

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 192-month prison sentence for Keith Pharms, who was convicted on five criminal charges related to shooting at a federal officer following a car theft. Pharms unsuccessfully challenged his sentence on constitutional grounds.

•Keith Pharms received a 192-month federal sentence for shooting at a federal officer during a car theft operation

•The 11th Circuit rejected his Fifth and Sixth Amendment constitutional challenges on appeal

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

3rd Circuit Affirms 36-Month Sentence for Sex Offender Registration Failure

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a 36-month prison sentence for Terry Bonner, who pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender under federal law. Bonner challenged his sentence as substantively unreasonable following his conviction for violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

•Third Circuit affirmed 36-month federal sentence for failure to register as sex offender

•Defendant had 2016 Alabama sexual abuse conviction and multiple subsequent registration failures

State Court

•Smith pleaded guilty in 2011 to attempted first-degree assault and firearm possession during felony commission, receiving a 25-year sentence for each charge

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Denies Writ of Prohibition in Smith Case

The Delaware Supreme Court denied a petition for writ of prohibition filed by Derrick Smith, who sought to prevent the Superior Court from proceeding with actions related to his 2011 guilty plea for attempted assault and firearm possession. Smith, serving a 25-year sentence for possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, unsuccessfully argued the lower court should be restrained from further proceedings.

•The Supreme Court denied his petition to prohibit the Superior Court from proceeding with certain actions related to his sentencing

First Circuit Court of Appeals

First Circuit Affirms Attorney Conviction in Romance Scam Case

The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Hassan Abbas, a disbarred attorney who facilitated romance scams and business email compromises that defrauded victims of millions of dollars. The court rejected Abbas's appeal in a case highlighting sophisticated online fraud schemes targeting vulnerable individuals.

•Hassan Abbas, a former attorney, was convicted for facilitating romance scams and business email compromises worth millions

•Abbas used his legal credentials to open fraudulent bank accounts for fake companies to process victim payments

State Court

•Parris was sentenced to life plus 185 years for selling fentanyl and methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a church during a police sting

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas High Court Upholds Life Sentence for Church Zone Drug Dealer

The Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed most convictions against Kent Parris, who received life imprisonment plus 185 years for selling fentanyl and methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a church during a police sting operation. The court reversed only one firearms-related conviction due to insufficient evidence.

•Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed six of seven convictions while reversing theft-by-receiving charge due to insufficient evidence about stolen firearm

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

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

11th Circuit Upholds 20-Month Sentence for Illegal Reentry Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a 20-month upward variance sentence for Gumersindo Gonzalez-Montoya, who was convicted of unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. The court rejected his argument that the sentence was substantively unreasonable.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed 20-month upward variance sentence for illegal reentry conviction

•Court rejected defendant's argument that enhanced sentence was substantively unreasonable

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

6th Circuit Reviews Meth Distribution Sentences in Tennessee Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a published opinion in United States v. Julianna Jenkins Hawkins, reviewing sentences imposed on defendants who pled guilty to methamphetamine conspiracy charges in the Eastern District of Tennessee. The January 20, 2026 decision addresses reasonableness challenges to district court sentencing.

•Sixth Circuit reviewed sentences for methamphetamine conspiracy defendants who pled guilty in Tennessee federal court

•Court consolidated appeals from Julianna Jenkins Hawkins and Jimmy Crafton Jr. challenging sentence reasonableness