Designated for publication Graves, J. (Graves, Ho, Duncan), Ho, J., concurring; immigration Denying Cambodian citizen’s petition for review of BIA order affirming IJ’s finding that he is removable for having been convicted of an aggravated felony. The Court held “that Khan’s conviction under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3925(a) constitutes receipt of stolen property, and … More May 30, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Wiener, Higginson, Wilson), criminal, sufficiency of evidence, jury instructions, 404(b), Confrontation Clause Affirming convictions of kidnapping and other counts arising from drug trafficking conspiracy, rejecting arguments regarding the kidnapping jury instruction, sufficiency of the evidence, admission of 404(b) evidence, and violation of the Confrontation Clause. Dennis, J. (Davis, Dennis, Higginson), … More April 3, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Jones, Smith, Graves), administrative law Granting petition for review of Federal Railroad Administration refusal to grant waiver of standard track-inspection regulations so BNSF could test new technology, vacating FRA’s refusal order, and remanding. Following successful waivers and tests of automated track inspection technology, the FRA denied a waiver-request for wider … More March 15, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Southwick, J. (Southwick, Haynes, Higginson), securities law Reversing dismissal of securities claims (specifically, violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) by pension plan investor against amusement park corporation based on alleged material misrepresentations and omissions regarding development of amusement parks in China, and remanding for further … More January 18-19, 2023, opinions
Designated for publication Haynes, J. (Smith, Barksdale, Haynes), immigration Denying in part and dismissing in part Venezuelan citizen’s petition for review of BIA order denying application for withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. The Court held that the petitioner’s conviction on one count of falsely seeking a tax refund of less … More November 28, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Richman, Jones, Smith, Stewart, Dennis, Elrod, Southwick, Haynes, Graves, Higginson, Willett, Duncan, Ho, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson); Ho, J., concurring in denial of rehearing; Jones, J., dissenting from denial of rehearing (joined by Smith, Duncan, JJ.); absolute immunity Denying rehearing en banc on a 7-9 vote, Judges Richman, Jones, Smith, Southwick, … More October 26-28, opinions
Designated for publication Wilson, J. (Dennis, Southwick, Wilson), Dennis, J., dissenting in part; criminal, sufficiency of evidence, restitution, competence, severance, search and seizure, Brady violation Affirming in part, vacating in part, and remanding for further proceedings on convictions and sentences arising from RICO conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms, and murder charges related to violent gang activity. … More October 11-17, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication Engelhardt, J. (King, Duncan, Engelhardt), criminal, sentencing Affirming application of enhancement for intentionally or recklessly creating a risk of death or serious bodily harm to another person to sentence defendant to 27 months on conviction of transporting illegal aliens for financial gain. Court had vacated prior sentence using that enhancement, on the … More September 1, 2022, opinions
(Still in catch-up mode here, so the opinions designated for publication will get the same brief treatment as the unpublished opinions …) Designated for publication Crittindon v. LeBlanc, 20-30304, appeal from M.D. La. Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Costa, Oldham), Oldham, J., dissenting; qualified immunity Affirming in part and reversing in part denial of qualified immunity for … More June 7-12, 2022, opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Martinez, 21-30068, appeal from W.D. La. Davis, J. (Davis, Jones, Elrod), criminal, search and seizure Affirming denial of motion to suppress evidence seized from USPS packages; defendant had argued that reasonable suspicion did not exist to detain the packages, and that the 17-day delay between their detention and the search … More February 1, 2022, opinions
