Verdict . News

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed Emiliya Radford's convictions for bank fraud, wire fraud, and federal program theft at a Georgia chiropractic office

11th Circuit Affirms Bank Fraud Conviction Against Emiliya Radford

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction of Emiliya Radford on federal charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, and federal program theft. The court upheld her 66-month prison sentence and $298,042.72 restitution order in a case involving fraud at a Georgia chiropractic office.

•Court upheld 66-month prison sentence and $298,042.72 restitution order despite Radford's challenges to conviction and sentencing enhancements

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit affirmed SEC victory against Spartan Securities Group in microcap fraud case involving 19 shell companies

11th Circuit Upholds SEC Victory in $19M Microcap Securities Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the SEC's victory against Spartan Securities Group and associated defendants in a complex microcap securities fraud case involving nineteen shell companies that sold securities at inflated prices.

•Defendants created shell companies with no business operations and sold securities at inflated prices

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

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

7th Circuit Upholds $21.6M Restitution Order in Wire Fraud Case

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a $21.6 million restitution order against Sean Grusd, who was convicted of wire fraud for a two-year scheme that defrauded 15 sets of victims. The court rejected Grusd's challenge to a $1.6 million credit applied by the district court.

•Sean Grusd was convicted of wire fraud for a two-year scheme that defrauded 15 sets of victims of approximately $23.2 million

•The Seventh Circuit ruled Grusd waived his right to challenge a $1.6 million restitution credit by acquiescing to it during sentencing

Jan 14, 2026•4 min read

•Eleventh Circuit reversed district court's denial of forfeiture money judgment in money laundering case

11th Circuit Orders Forfeiture in Panama Money Laundering Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed a district court's denial of a forfeiture money judgment against Nidal Ahmed Waked Hatum, who pled guilty in 2017 to conspiracy to commit money laundering involving fraudulent bank transactions in Panama.

•Defendant admitted to fraudulent banking scheme between Panama and U.S. through Florida corporations

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

Fifth Circuit Affirms 27-Month Sentence in Federal Wire Fraud Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a 27-month prison sentence for Ernesto Villarreal, Jr., who was convicted of wire fraud and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. The court rejected his challenge to a sentencing enhancement for abusing a position of trust.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed 27-month sentence for wire fraud and theft from federal programs

•Court rejected challenge to sentencing enhancement for abusing position of trust

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

4th Circuit Affirms Fraud Conviction of Charmaine Brown

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the federal fraud conviction of Charmaine Miesha Brown, who was found guilty of conspiracy to commit passport fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, bankruptcy fraud, and making false statements in bankruptcy proceedings. The court sentenced Brown to 30 months in prison.

•Fourth Circuit affirmed Charmaine Brown's conviction on passport fraud conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, bankruptcy fraud, and false statements charges

•Brown received a 30-month prison sentence after jury trial in Maryland federal court

Jan 13, 2026•4 min read

•Derrick Slade received life imprisonment plus five years supervised release following jury conviction on ten federal counts

11th Circuit Upholds Life Sentence for Gang Leader in RICO Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the life imprisonment sentence of Derrick Slade, known as 'D' and 'Solja,' who was convicted on ten counts related to his leadership role in the 'Onsight' criminal gang. The January 13, 2026 decision represents a significant federal victory against organized crime in South Florida.

•Slade was a leader in the 'Onsight' criminal gang operating in South Florida

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 12, 2026•4 min read

4th Circuit Affirms Bank Fraud Conviction in United States v. Seck

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Diape Seck on multiple counts of bank and wire fraud conspiracy following an eight-day federal trial. The court upheld a 36-month sentence and ordered $1.7 million in restitution.

•Federal jury convicted Diape Seck after eight-day trial on nine counts including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud

•Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed conviction and 36-month sentence with $1.7 million restitution order

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Jan 12, 2026•4 min read

5th Circuit Affirms Wire Fraud Conviction, $125K Restitution Order

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Jennifer Lynn Thornton's appeal of her wire fraud conviction. Thornton pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting, receiving 41 months in prison and approximately $125,000 in restitution.

•Jennifer Lynn Thornton's conviction for 10 counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting was affirmed by the Fifth Circuit

•She received 41 months in prison and must pay approximately $125,000 in restitution to victims