Unpublished Martin Resource Management Corp. v. Federal Insurance Co., 20-40571, appeal from E.D. Tex. per curiam (Jones, Southwick, Engelhardt), insurance Affirming dismissal of insured’s claims with prejudice, finding that “the insured did not meet its burden of establishing coverage under the terms of the policy.” U.S. v. Oneal, 20-50494, appeal from W.D. Tex. per curiam … More September 20, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Allen v. State of Louisiana, 20-30734, appeal from M.D. La. Duncan, J. (Davis, Duncan, Oldham), Oldham, J., concurring; Voting Rights Act Affirming Middle District of Louisiana’s denial of state’s motion to dismiss VRA claims challenging the composition of Louisiana’s state supreme court districts. The Court held that the question of VRA compliance … More September 17, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Muhammad, 15-60300, appeal from S.D. Miss. Oldham, J. (Ho, Oldham, Wilson), criminal, harmless error Affirming defendant’s conviction of violations of the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Analogue Enforcement Act, which resulted in a 120-year sentence, on finding that error in jury instructions that omitted an element of the Analogue … More September 16, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Texas v. U.S., 21-40618, appeal from S.D. Tex. Costa, J. (Southwick, Graves, Costa), immigration, Administrative Procedure Act Granting partial stay, pending appeal, of nationwide injunction entered by district court to enjoin the U.S. from relying on immigration enforcement priorities announced in DHS and ICE memos following President Biden’s inauguration. The DHS and … More September 15, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. McClaren, 17-30524, appeal from E.D. La. Stewart, J. (Stewart, Higginson, Wilson), criminal, severance, Batson challenge, sufficiency of evidence, sentencing, First Step Act Granting government’s petition for panel rehearing of May 18, 2021 opinion; withdrawing previous panel opinion and substituting new one; denying defendants’ petition for panel rehearing and for rehearing … More September 7-9, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Rutila v. U.S. DOTD, 20-10730, appeal from N.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Owen, Smith, Graves), Freedom of Information Act Reversing district court’s jurisdictional dismissal of pro se FOIA suit against the FAA and DOTD, and remanding for further proceedings. “The district court reasoned that, because Rutila ‘broadly challenged Defendants’ adequacy of search without … More September 1-6, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Martinez, 20-11016, appeal from N.D. Tex. Costa, J. (Elrod, Southwick, Costa), criminal, sentencing Vacating sentence on conviction for drug conspiracy, and remanding for resentencing under new calculation of amount of money involved. Defendant owned a tobacco shop, and various drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in the back of his … More August 27, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Ward v. U.S., 20-10836, appeal from N.D. Tex. Southwick, J. (Jones, Southwick, Engelhardt), criminal, compassionate release Affirming district court’s denial of motion for compassionate release. The Court held that the district court may use the sentencing factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) to reject compassionate release when the Government fails … More August 26, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Sims, 19-20833, appeal from S.D. Tex. Davis, J. (Davis, Haynes, Oldham), criminal, sentencing, sufficiency of evidence Affirming conviction of defendant on sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy to sex traffic a minor, and imposition of life sentence; holding that there was sufficient evidence to support conviction, that district court did … More August 24, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Moparty, 19-20797, appeal from S.D. Tex. Jones, J. (Jones, Southwick, Costa), criminal, sentencing, sufficiency of evidence, harmless error Affirming convictions and sentences of co-defendants for health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and money laundering. One co-defendant (Moparty) was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment; the other (Narang) was … More August 23, 2021 opinions
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