Take the Fifth: Feb. 1 and 2, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication Tibakweitira v. Wilkinson, 18-60459, petition for review of BIA order Engelhardt, J. (Haynes, Duncan, Engelhardt), immigration Dismissing in part and denying in part Tanzanian citizen’s petitions for review of a BIA order dismissing his appeal from the IJ decision denying his application for withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against … More Take the Fifth: Feb. 1 and 2, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: Jan. 29, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication Miller v. Sam Houston State University, 19-20752, appeal from S.D. Tex. Wilson, J. (Jolly, Southwick, Wilson), Title VII, employment discrimination, judicial bias Reversing dismissal of claims, remanding for further proceedings, and ordering that cases be reassigned to a new judge upon remand. “From the outset of these [consolidated] suits, the district judge’s … More Take the Fifth: Jan. 29, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: Jan. 21, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Whitehead, 19-11275, appeal from N.D. Tex. Higginson, J. (Clement, Higginson, Engelhardt), criminal, First Step Act Affirming district court’s denial of resentencing of defendant under the First Step Act, who had been sentenced originally in 2007 to a mandatory life sentence for possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams … More Take the Fifth: Jan. 21, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: Jan. 15, 2021 opinions

Unpublished U.S. v. Lott, 19-20726, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Clement, Higginson, Engelhardt), criminal, sentencing Affirming conviction and 60-month sentence for bank fraud. Hoffman v. Furr, 19-40913, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Barksdale, Graves, Oldham), prisoner suit Affirming dismissal of prisoner suit arising from administration of insulin to plaintiff, and issuing strike for … More Take the Fifth: Jan. 15, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: Jan. 12 and 13, 2021 opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Parkerson, 19-10780, appeal from N.D. Tex. Jolly, J. (Jolly, Southwick, Wilson), criminal, sentencing Affirming 120-month statutory maximum prison term for failure to register as a sex offender where sentencing guidelines range was 18-24 months. The presentencing report (“PSR”) referred to an excerpt from a police report of an incident where … More Take the Fifth: Jan. 12 and 13, 2021 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 11 and 14, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication Stelly v. Duriso, 19-20160, appeal from S.D. Tex. Haynes, J. (Jones, Haynes, Ho), Ho. J., concurring in part; intentional infliction of emotional distress, employment discrimination Vacating district court’s default judgment in favor of plaintiff on intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”) claim against individual defendant in lawsuit against unions and maritime association … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 11 and 14, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: December 10, 2020 opinions

Unpublished U.S. v. Martinez-Tapia, 18-40649, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Smith, Stewart, Higginson), criminal Granting Anders motion to withdraw, and dismissing appeal. Pierre v. Local Rule Policy Maker for the First Circuit Court of Appeal, 19-30738, appeal from M.D. La. per curiam (Stewart, Graves, Higginson), prisoner suit Denying IFP status, dismissing appeal as frivolous, … More Take the Fifth: December 10, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 7 and 8, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication U.S. v. Lipscomb, 18-11168, appeal from N.D. Tex. Clement, J. (Clement, Ho, Duncan), habeas corpus, Armed Career Criminal Act Vacating district court’s grant of § 2255 petition and remanding to reinstate original sentence. Petitioner had been convicted as a felon in possession of a firearm after being apprehended with a sawed-off shotgun … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 7 and 8, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 4, 2020 opinions

Designated for publication Jones v. New Orleans Regional Physician Hospital Organization, Inc., 19-31027, appeal from E.D. La. Jones, J. (Higginbotham, Jones, Higginson), Fair Labor Standards Act Affirming summary judgment in favor of defendant employer, dismissing white-collar employees’ claims for violation of the FLSA. The Court rejected plaintiffs’ argument that their job duties did not fall … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 4, 2020 opinions

Take the Fifth: Dec. 3, 2020 opinions

Designated for pulication Future Proof Brands, LLC v. Molson Coors Beverage Co., 20-50323, appeal from W.D. Tex. Smith, J. (Higginbotham, Smith, Dennis), trademark infringement, intellectual property, preliminary injunction Affirming district court’s denial of preliminary injunction sought by plaintiff, who sued defendant for trademark infringement of plaintiff’s “brizzy” brand of hard seltzer product by defendant’s “vizzy” … More Take the Fifth: Dec. 3, 2020 opinions