Verdict . News

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 9, 2026•4 min read

11th Circuit Upholds 16-Year Sentence for Georgia Drug Distribution Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and 192-month sentence of Nathaniel Hilliard for multiple drug distribution charges, firearm possession by a convicted felon, and failure to appear at court proceedings. Hilliard had argued his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation was violated.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed Hilliard's conviction on three heroin distribution counts, firearm possession, and failure to appear

•Court rejected Hilliard's claim that his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation was violated

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Affirms Money Laundering Conviction in Cross-Border Drug Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentencing calculation for Liza Garcia, who pleaded guilty to drug-related money laundering charges in connection with a cross-border narcotics smuggling operation. The court rejected Garcia's challenge to the district court's base offense level calculation in a per curiam decision filed January 8, 2026.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed Garcia's money laundering conviction and sentencing calculation

•Garcia recruited David Apaseo to transport narcotics from Mexico to the United States

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

6th Circuit Affirms Enhanced Sentence in Armed Postal Worker Robbery

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed an enhanced sentence for Kendrick Holland, who pled guilty to robbing a postal worker at gunpoint. The district court had imposed a six-month upward variance from federal sentencing guidelines, citing the premeditated nature of the crime and its severe psychological impact on the victim.

•Sixth Circuit affirmed enhanced six-month sentence for armed robbery of postal worker

•District court considered premeditation and severe psychological impact on victim

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

8th Circuit Affirms Above-Guidelines Sentence in Child Exploitation Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed an above-Guidelines sentence imposed on Travis Lee Morgan after he pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. The court rejected Morgan's challenge to factual findings about computer ownership and found the sentence substantively reasonable.

•Eighth Circuit affirmed above-Guidelines sentence for attempted transfer of obscene material to minor

•Court rejected challenges to factual findings about computer ownership using clear error standard

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

11th Circuit Upholds Felon's 105-Month Gun Sentence in Alabama Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and 105-month prison sentence of Randall Demetrius Broaden for unlawful firearm possession as a convicted felon. The appeals court rejected Broaden's constitutional challenge to federal gun laws and found his sentence reasonable.

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed conviction and 105-month sentence for felon firearm possession under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

•Court rejected constitutional challenge, citing binding circuit precedent upholding federal gun laws

•Seven defendants sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon in Brooklyn federal court

Legal News

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

Seven Sentenced in $12M Transnational Telemarketing Fraud Targeting Elderly

Seven defendants were sentenced in Brooklyn federal court for participating in a transnational telemarketing scheme that defrauded victims of more than $12 million. Many victims were elderly, and the defendants laundered fraudulent proceeds shared with international co-conspirators.

•Scheme defrauded victims of over $12 million through transnational telemarketing operations

•Two Plano residents received lengthy prison sentences for methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy

Legal News

Jan 7, 2026•1 min read

Two Plano Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

Two Plano men received lengthy prison sentences for their roles in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas. The defendants were prosecuted under federal conspiracy statutes for their participation in drug distribution operations.

•U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas announced the sentencing

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

Fourth Circuit Vacates Drug Conviction in United States v. Taylor

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded a drug possession conviction from the Eastern District of North Carolina in the case of United States v. John James Taylor. The unpublished per curiam opinion, filed January 7, 2026, overturns a lower court decision involving Taylor's guilty plea for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

•Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded Taylor's drug and firearms conviction for the second time

•Taylor pleaded guilty to cocaine and heroin possession with intent to distribute, plus felon in possession of firearm

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

6th Circuit Affirms 80-Year Sentence in Child Pornography Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed Tuesday the conviction and 80-year prison sentence of Jarrod Sanford on federal charges including production and possession of child pornography. The appeals court rejected multiple arguments challenging evidence admission and sentencing.

•Jarrod Sanford received 80 years in prison for federal child exploitation charges including production and possession of child pornography

•The Sixth Circuit rejected challenges to evidence admission, including testimony about uncharged sexual abuse of the victim