Designated for publication U.S. v. Garrett, 17-10516, appeal from N.D. Tex. Jolly, J. (Jolly, Jones, Southwick), criminal, sentencing, Armed Career Criminal Act On remand from the U.S. Supreme Court, reinstating prior judgment reversing imposition of a lesser sentence not enhanced under the ACCA and remanding for resentencing. The panel had previously held that a prior … More January 24-25, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Aviles-Tavera v. Garland, 20-60587, petition for review of BIA order Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Stewart, Wilson), immigration Denying Mexican citizen’s petition for review of BIA determination that he is statutorily ineligible for withholding of removal and not entitled to protection under the Convention Against Torture. In a prior removal proceeding, the IJ determined … More January 4, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Greer, 19-11348, appeal from N.D. Tex. Stewart, J. (Higginbotham, Stewart, Wilson), criminal, sentencing, Armed Career Criminal Act On remand from U.S. Supreme Court, vacating sentence under the ACCA to 120 months on guilty-plea conviction of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and remanding for resentencing. In Borden … More December 20-29, 2021, opinions
Designated for publication Cochran v. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 19-10396, appeal from N.D. Tex. Haynes, J. (Owen, Jones, Smith, Stewart, Dennis, Elrod, Southwick, Haynes, Graves, Higginson, Costa, Willett, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson), joined by Jones, Smith, Elrod, Willett, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson, JJ. (Willett, J., concurring in judgment only); Oldham, J., concurring, joined by … More December 10-14, 2021, opinions
Designated for publication Kapordelis v. Myers, 19-30968, appeal from W.D. La. Wilson, J. (King, Higginson, Wilson), habeas corpus Affirming denial of § 2241 petition filed by federal inmate as to his disciplinary conviction and deprivation of 27 days of good-conduct time upon being found to have violated Bureau of Prisons Disciplinary Code 218 for destruction … More November 2, 2021, opinions
Unpublished Planned Parenthood Southeast, Inc. v. Snyder, 16-60773, appeal from S.D. Miss. per curiam (Owen, Dennis, Willett), abortion law Granting joint motion to dismiss appeal as moot, and remanding to district court to dismiss plaintiffs’ complaint for lack of jurisdiction. Blessit v. Texas Office of the Attorney General Galveston County Child Support Enforcement Division, 20-40135, … More October 8, 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
Take the Fifth 