controlled-substance

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Case Title Lower Court Docketed Status Flags Tags Question Presented
25-935 United States v. Kevin LaMarcus Mitchell Fifth Circuit 2026-02-06 Pending constitutional-challenge controlled-substance criminal-conviction federal-statute firearm-possession second-amendment Whether 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1), the federal statute that prohibits the possession of a firearm by a person who has been convicted of a crime punishable b…
25-6742 Gezo Goeong Edwards v. United States District of Columbia 2026-02-06 Pending Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-procedure due-process indictment-defect ineffective-assistance mens-rea 1. Whether an indictment charging conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance under 21 USCS 846 and 841(a) fails to state an offense where it plac…
25-6622 Alante Martel Nelson v. United States Fourth Circuit 2026-01-20 Pending Response RequestedResponse WaivedIFP categorical-approach controlled-substance criminal-law federal-sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation 1. To determine a controlled substance offense under USSG § 4B1.2(b) using the categorical approach, do courts compare the elements of the prior convi…
25-6326 Eric Lebron Burney v. United States Sixth Circuit 2025-12-09 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance fourth-amendment law-enforcement marijuana probable-cause search-and-seizure By April of 2019 both the state of Tennessee and the federal government excluded low-THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) marijuana from the definition …
25-6218 Kenleone Joe Nyandoro v. United States Fifth Circuit 2025-11-24 Pending IFP appeal-waiver controlled-substance firearm-possession ineffective-assistance second-amendment statutory-maximum 1. Whether the only permissible exceptions to a general appeal waiver are for claims of ineffective assistance of counsel or that the sentence exceeds…
25-6217 Christopher Wuchter v. United States Eighth Circuit 2025-11-24 Pending IFP constitutional-challenge controlled-substance facial-unconstitutionality firearm-possession second-amendment statutory-interpretation Whether 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which prohibits firearm possession by any unlawful user of a controlled substance, is facially unconstitutional under t…
25A535 Shawn Russell Sorensen v. United States Eighth Circuit 2025-11-07 Application controlled-substance drug-possession felony-drug-offense ineffective-assistance mandatory-minimum sentencing-enhancement This document does not contain a traditional "Question(s) Presented" section. The text contains questions posed within the Background section of an ex…
25-5967 Lynell Guyton v. United States Third Circuit 2025-10-27 Denied Response WaivedIFP analogue-act constitutional-rights controlled-substance criminal-prosecution drug-enforcement due-process 1. Did Congress violate the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution when it authorized the Drug Enforcement Administration to schedule control…
25-5878 Detrayous D. Curry v. United States Eighth Circuit 2025-10-14 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-conviction drug-offense federal-schedule sentencing-guidelines state-law Whether the definition of a "Controlled Substance Offense" for purposes of U.S.S.G. §4B1.2 includes a prior state law conviction for a cocaine offense…
25A410 United States v. Aldo Ali Cordova Perez, Jr. Eighth Circuit 2025-10-09 Presumed Complete 922(g)(3) as-applied-challenge controlled-substance facial-challenge firearm-possession second-amendment Question not identified.
25-5816 William Loydellton Speed, Jr. v. United States Eighth Circuit 2025-10-07 Denied Response WaivedIFP buyer-seller-exception career-offender-guideline controlled-substance drug-conspiracy federal-law state-law 1. Whether the term "controlled substance" in the definition of "controlled substance offense" in the Career Offender Guideline, § 4B1.2(b), refers to…
25A371 Rashun Suncar v. United States Fourth Circuit 2025-09-30 Presumed Complete categorical-approach controlled-substance fourth-circuit state-court-deference statutory-interpretation supreme-court-rule-10 Question not identified.
25-372 Erik Matthew Harris v. United States Third Circuit 2025-09-30 Pending Amici (2) constitutional-vagueness controlled-substance criminal-statute firearm-possession marijuana-use second-amendment I. Whether 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), the federal statute that prohibits possession of firearms by a person who "is an unlawful user of or addicted to any…
25A253 Patrick Miller Webb, Jr. v. United States Eighth Circuit 2025-09-02 Presumed Complete controlled-substance criminal-conviction federal-sentencing fifth-amendment pro-se sixth-amendment Question not identified.
25-5465 David Nicholson v. United States Fifth Circuit 2025-08-25 Denied Response WaivedIFP constructive-possession controlled-substance criminal-procedure dominion-and-control intent-to-distribute post-offense-admission Whether a conviction under 21 U.S.C. § 841 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance can be sustained based solely on (1) constr…
25-5454 Marquis Luis Rosado v. Florida Florida 2025-08-22 Denied IFP constitutional-violation controlled-substance criminal-law fentanyl-distribution jury-instruction trial-court WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT VIOLATED TO UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION BY DEVIATING FROM FLORIDA 'S STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTION ON DEATH BY UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTIO…
25-5297 Christopher Jerome Ellis v. United States Eighth Circuit 2025-08-06 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender controlled-substance federal-law sentencing-guidelines state-law statutory-interpretation Whether the term "controlled substance" in the career offender guideline refers exclusively to substances listed in the federal Controlled Substances …
25-5226 Nashaun Drake v. United States Sixth Circuit 2025-07-29 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-law federal-sentencing prior-conviction sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation When defining a controlled substance offense under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b) do courts look to the substances that were controlled on the date of the prior …
25-5091 Andres Burgara v. United States Ninth Circuit 2025-07-14 Denied Response RequestedResponse WaivedRelisted (2)IFP controlled-substance criminal-offense drug-possession simultaneous-possession statutory-interpretation united-states-code Does the simultaneous possession of one type of controlled substance in two different locations constitute a single offense under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1…
24-1328 United States v. Keshon Daveon Baxter Eighth Circuit 2025-06-30 Denied Response RequestedRelisted (2) constitutional-challenge controlled-substance criminal-statute drug-use firearms-possession second-amendment Whether 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), the federal statute that prohibits the possession of firearms by a person who "is an unlawful user of or addicted to any …
24-1249 United States v. Kindle Terrell Sam Fifth Circuit 2025-06-06 Pending Relisted (3) constitutional-challenge controlled-substance criminal-statute drug-use firearms-possession second-amendment Whether 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), the federal statute that prohibits the possession of firearms by a person who "is an unlawful user of or addicted to any …
24-1248 United States v. Patrick Darnell Daniels, Jr. Fifth Circuit 2025-06-06 Pending Relisted (3) constitutional-challenge controlled-substance criminal-statute federal-law firearms-possession second-amendment Whether 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), the federal statute that prohibits the possession of firearms by a person who "is an unlawful user of or addicted to any …
24-1247 United States v. La'Vance LeMarr Cooper Eighth Circuit 2025-06-06 Denied Relisted (3) constitutional-challenge controlled-substance criminal-statute drug-use firearms-possession second-amendment Whether 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), the federal statute that prohibits the possession of firearms by a person who "is an unlawful user of or addicted to any …
24-7070 In Re Shawn Michael Chalifoux 2025-04-24 Denied IFP conspiracy controlled-substance false-testimony grand-jury prosecutorial-misconduct selective-prosecution 1) Does an Assistant U.S. Attorney have the authority to present perjurious testimony and/or false declarations before a grand jury and/or district co…
24-6936 Deveon Jamear Smith v. United States Eighth Circuit 2025-04-07 Denied IFP constitutional-challenge controlled-substance criminal-statute federal-law firearm-possession second-amendment Whether the Charge of Unlawful User of or Addicted to Any Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm in Violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) is Fac…
24-6898 Avery Jamal Edwards v. United States Eighth Circuit 2025-03-31 Denied IFP controlled-substance criminal-law federal-law sentencing-enhancement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether an offense must have involved a substance that was controlled under federal law to be considered a "controlled substance offense" as that term…
24-6410 Antoine Wiggins v. United States Third Circuit 2025-01-28 Denied Amici (1)Response RequestedResponse WaivedRelisted (7)IFP circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-procedure federal-law sentencing-guidelines state-law Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines § 2K2.1(a)(2), a defendant previously convicted of a "controlled substance offense" is subject to a sentencing…
24-6222 Donat Caleb Porter v. North Carolina North Carolina 2025-01-02 Denied Response WaivedRelisted (2)IFP constitutional-rights controlled-substance exigent-circumstances fourth-amendment pro-se-litigation state-police-powers 1. The petitioner asks this Court to provide more clarity to current federal case law that has been established regarding the exceptions of exigent ci…
24-6204 Ronald P. Hargrave v. United States Fourth Circuit 2024-12-26 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance due-process fourth-circuit harmless-error prescription-error ruan-standard Can a physician be convicted of a violation of 21 U.S.C. §841, post-Ruan, when that physician's conduct in prescribing the controlled substance was bo…
24-5996 Todd Norman v. United States Eighth Circuit 2024-11-19 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-offense federal-law sentencing-enhancement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether an offense must have involved a substance that was controlled under federal law to be considered a "controlled substance offense" as that term…
24-5231 Dean Terry v. United States Fourth Circuit 2024-08-05 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances-act drug-conviction federal-drug-crimes federal-sentencing-guidelines sentencing-enhancement statutory-interpretation Statutory directives to administrative agencies have one permissible interpretation: "[T]he one the court, after applying all relevant interpretive to…
24-5105 Heclouis Nieves-Diaz v. United States First Circuit 2024-07-18 Denied Response WaivedIFP agreement circuit-split conspiracy controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law overt-act sentencing-guidelines The United States Sentencing Guidelines define a "controlled substance offense" to include "the offense[] of conspiring to commit such offenses." The …
24-5031 Keith White v. United States Seventh Circuit 2024-07-09 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-u.s.c.-§-846 career-offender controlled-substance controlled-substance-offenses criminal-procedure drug-offense federal-criminal-law sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation u.s.s.g.-§-4b1.2 Whether an offense under 21 U.S.C. § 846 may be included in the U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 definition of "controlled substance offenses" for purposes of sentenc…
23-7676 Romone Raphael Jackson v. United States Eighth Circuit 2024-06-10 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender career-offender-enhancement circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances-act drug-distribution federal-law sentencing-guidelines state-law Whether a state conviction for distributing a drug that includes substances not regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act qualifies as a "…
23-7542 Anthony Obute v. United States Fifth Circuit 2024-05-22 Denied Response WaivedIFP appellate-rights appellate-waiver controlled-substance criminal-procedure pharmacy-operations plea-agreement sentencing-enhancement statutory-interpretation Does a defendant's waiver of appellate rights in a plea agreement, which explicitly reserves the right to challenge the constitutionality of a statute…
23-7284 Neal Merrell Walker v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2024-04-22 Denied Response WaivedRelisted (2)IFP 4th-amendment conspiracy controlled-substance criminal-intent due-process ex-post-facto money-laundering sentencing sentencing-enhancement (1).Does the fatal Variance from the indictment violate Mr.Walkers' Due process rights, v ;i*. i when he is convicted of and imprisonment for "Contro…
23-7190 Trivansky Swington v. United States Eighth Circuit 2024-04-10 Denied Response WaivedIFP armed-career-criminal armed-career-criminal-act controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-conviction criminal-sentencing decontrolled-substances eighth-circuit federal-sentencing federal-sentencing-guidelines sentencing-enhancement Whether prior drug convictions inclusive of substances that have since been decontrolled can be used to impose present day federal sentencing enhancem…
23-7075 Breon D. Hicks v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2024-03-26 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-procedure criminal-statute due-process firearm-possession firearms jury-instruction jury-instructions section-924(c) section-924c unlawful-user I. WHETHER THE DISTRICT COURT ERRONEOUSLY INSTRUCTED THE JURY CONCERNING THE SECTION 924(c) CHARGES? II. WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED A KNOWING…
23A757 Breon Hicks v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2024-02-16 Presumed Complete constitutional-challenge controlled-substance due-process firearm-possession second-amendment unlawful-user Question not identified.
23-6692 Mustafa Deville Reynolds v. United States Sixth Circuit 2024-02-07 Denied IFP aiding-and-abetting chain-of-distribution controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-distribution criminal-law due-process enhanced-penalty pinkerton-liability sentencing-enhancement I. Whether the prosecution must prove aiding and abetting or Pinkerton coconspirator liability before a remote seller in a chain of distribution may b…
23-6673 Lillian Akwuba v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2024-02-06 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-procedure harmless-error intent-element jury-instruction jury-instructions medical-care mens-rea standard-of-care In Ruan v. United States, 597 U.S. 450, 454 (2022), this Court held that to convict an authorized person of distributing a controlled substance under …
23A661 Andrew Tablack v. United States Third Circuit 2024-01-18 Presumed Complete controlled-substance criminal-procedure drug-indictment federal-crime scheduling statutory-interpretation Question not identified.
23-6499 Pete Manning v. United States Third Circuit 2024-01-17 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-procedure drug-schedules federal-law federal-sentencing sentencing-guidelines state-law time-of-consequences time-of-conviction In federal sentencing, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines typically call for a higher advisory Guidelines range if the defendant has been convicted of a p…
23-6454 Darwin Dwayne Hutchins v. United States Sixth Circuit 2024-01-10 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender cocaine-definition controlled-substance federal-vs-state-law non-violent-drug-crimes sentence-length sentencing-discretion sentencing-guidelines state-federal-definition 1. Did the district court err when it counted Hutchins's Ohio cocaine conviction as a controlled substance offense to make him a career offender under…
23-6399 Michael Salinas v. United States Ninth Circuit 2023-12-29 Denied Response WaivedIFP conspiracy controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-intent criminal-law drug-conspiracy mandatory-minimum mens-rea sentencing sentencing-enhancement Whether, to prove conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance triggering mandatory-minimum and increased-maximum penalties, the government must pr…
23-6394 Andrew Tablack v. United States Third Circuit 2023-12-28 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-usc-841 controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law criminal-procedure drug-offense federal-statute indictment indictment-defect scheduling statutory-interpretation Is there a legal element in 21 U.S.C. §811(2)(G) that requires the "drug named" in the indictment to be listed as the controlled substance analogues? …
23-6314 Dana Jahmal Stevenson v. United States Fourth Circuit 2023-12-20 Denied Response WaivedIFP appellate-review attempt attempt-offense controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law federal-sentencing-guidelines sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation 1. Whether the court of appeal s erred in ruling that a prior sentence for a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1) qualified as a "controlled substance …
23-6135 Charles Kevin Agerton v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2023-11-29 Denied Response WaivedIFP categorical-approach controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law federal-jurisdiction legal-interpretation offense-matching sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether an offense-matching categorical approach applies to the determination of a "controlled substance offense" under the Sentencing Guidelines?
23-6118 T'Shaun Omar Jones v. United States Sixth Circuit 2023-11-28 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-split controlled-substance federal-law federal-sentencing federal-sentencing-guidelines guideline-construction legal-definition state-law statutory-interpretation vehicle-for-review In the absence of an explicit definition, is the definition of "controlled substance" in the federal sentencing guidelines controlled by federal or st…
23-6074 Sylvester Onyejiaka, Jr. v. Missouri Missouri 2023-11-22 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-law double-jeopardy fifth-amendment missouri-opinion possession-of-controlled-substance sentencing unlawful-use-of-weapon weapon-possession Is a defendant's Fifth Amendment right against double jeopardy violated when a conviction and sentence is entered and imposed for unlawful use of a we…
23-5782 Tyrone Robinson, aka Tyrone R. Robinson v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-10-13 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance federal-law grievous-ambiguity rule-of-lenity sentencing-guidelines state-law statutory-interpretation Whether the meaning of the term "controlled substance" in the Sentencing Guidelines includes any substance prohibited by state law, or instead only th…
23-376 United States v. Patrick Darnell Daniels, Jr. Fifth Circuit 2023-10-10 GVR Relisted (2) 2nd-amendment civil-rights constitutional-law constitutional-rights controlled-substance criminal-law drug-user due-process firearm-possession second-amendment statutory-interpretation Whether 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), which prohibits the possession of firearms by a person who "is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substanc…
23-5604 Ernesto Ordunez v. United States Fifth Circuit 2023-09-18 Denied Response RequestedResponse WaivedRelisted (2)IFP career-offender controlled-substance crime-of-violence elements-clause preservation-of-error prior-conviction sentencing sentencing-enhancement (1) Whether an objection that a prior conviction is not a crime of violence and a district court's subsequent analysis of whether it meets the element…
23-5587 Daniel Carrington v. United States Fourth Circuit 2023-09-14 Denied Response WaivedIFP burden-of-proof causation controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law death-causation due-process proximate-cause reasonable-doubt statutory-interpretation WHETHER THIS COURT'S DECISION IN UNITED STATES V. BURRAGE, 571 U.S. 204 (2014), CREATED A BRIGHT LINE RULE ESTABLISHING A RIGHT OF THE DEFENDANT TO PR…
23-198 Jamar M. Lewis v. United States Third Circuit 2023-09-05 Denied Amici (1) armed-career-criminal-act categorical-approach controlled-substance federal-law predicate-conviction sentencing-guidelines state-law 1. Under this Court's decision in McNeill, is the term "controlled substance" in the Sentencing Guidelines defined at the time of the predicate convic…
23-5358 Devin Jerrod Long v. United States Sixth Circuit 2023-08-15 Denied IFP controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law drug-conviction drug-offense federal-judge prior-felony prior-felony-convictions sentence-enhancement sentencing-guidelines The United States Sentencing Guidelines significantly increase the recommended sentencing range for a defendant who has at least two prior felony conv…
23-5266 Mantell Alabi Stevens v. United States Sixth Circuit 2023-08-02 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-conviction criminal-law drug-distribution due-process jury-instructions reasonable-doubt sentencing sentencing-enhancement sufficiency-of-evidence 1. Can a court send a case to the jury when the evidence is only sufficient to give them a choice between probabilities instead of being sufficient to…
23-5236 Marvas Aurelien v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2023-07-28 Denied IFP circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-sentencing drug-schedules federal-drug-schedules federal-law federal-sentencing sentencing-guidelines state-drug-offenses I. Whether the "controlled substance" definition in United States Sentencing Guideline § 4B1.2(b) incorporates the federal drug schedules in effect at…
23-5164 Ermin Adzemovic v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-07-21 Denied IFP controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-sentencing decontrolled-substances drug-offense federal-sentencing-guidelines guideline-range prior-conviction sentencing-guidelines ussg-4b1.2 Does a prior drug conviction under a statute that included now decontrolled substances qualify as a "controlled substance offense" to enhance a defend…
23-5114 Leroy C. Tate v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-07-17 Denied IFP armed-career-criminal-act career-offender categorical-approach circuit-split controlled-substance eighth-circuit-interpretation federal-sentencing-guidelines mcneill-precedent mcneill-v-united-states sentencing-guidelines state-law Does McNeill require courts to define "controlled substance" under § 4B1.2 of the federal sentencing guidelines by consulting superseded state schedul…
22-7898 Anthony Lamart Lawrence v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-06-29 Denied IFP armed-career-criminal armed-career-criminal-act controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-sentencing decontrolled-substances drug-conviction eighth-circuit federal-sentencing federal-sentencing-guidelines sentencing-enhancement Whether prior drug convictions inclusive of substances that have since been decontrolled can be used to impose present day federal sentencing enhancem…
22-7903 Denvy Hoffman v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-06-29 Denied IFP armed-career-criminal armed-career-criminal-act controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-sentencing decontrolled-substances drug-conviction eighth-circuit federal-sentencing federal-sentencing-guidelines sentencing-enhancement Whether prior drug convictions inclusive of substances that have since been decontrolled can be used to impose present day federal sentencing enhancem…
22-7904 Andrew Ryan Demont v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-06-29 Denied IFP appellate-review armed-career-criminal circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-law drug-convictions federal-guidelines federal-sentencing sentencing-enhancement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation (1) Whether prior drug convictions inclusive of substances that have since been decontrolled can be used to impose present day federal sentencing enha…
22-7864 Tommy Lee Hubbard, Jr. v. United States Sixth Circuit 2023-06-26 Denied Response WaivedIFP circumstantial-evidence civil-rights controlled-substance controlled-substances due-process federal-courts hemp legal-interpretation marijuana marijuana-classification thc-threshold Can the federal courts rely exclusively upon circumstantial evidence to decide that a marijuana substance is illegal, when the circumstances surroundi…
22-7755 Jerome Williams v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-06-12 Denied IFP armed-career-criminal-act career-offender categorical-approach circuit-split controlled-substance federal-sentencing-guidelines mcneill-precedent mcneill-v-united-states sentencing-guidelines state-drug-laws Does McNeill require courts to define "controlled substance" under §§ 4B1.1 and 4B1.2 of the federal sentencing guidelines by consulting superseded st…
22-7736 Brandon Ross Williams v. United States Tenth Circuit 2023-06-08 Denied Relisted (2)IFP armed-career-criminal-act categorical-approach controlled-substance criminal-law drug-offense federal-jurisdiction predicate-offense sentencing Whether, under the categorical approach established by this Court for determining whether a previous state conviction can qualify as a predicate "seri…
22-7716 Minnela Moore v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2023-06-06 Denied IFP circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-law drug-schedules federal-drug-schedules federal-offense sentencing-guidelines state-drug-offenses statutory-interpretation (1) Whether the term "controlled substance," from the "controlled substance offense" definition in U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b), is limited to substances that …
22-7675 Quanathan Naiji Knox Ivery v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-05-31 Denied IFP armed-career-criminal armed-career-criminal-act controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-sentencing decontrolled-substances drug-conviction eighth-circuit federal-sentencing federal-sentencing-guidelines sentencing-enhancement Whether prior drug convictions inclusive of substances that have since been decontrolled can be used to impose present day federal sentencing enhancem…
22-7552 Jeffrey Christopher Anders v. United States Eighth Circuit 2023-05-15 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense deference-to-agency-interpretation genuine-ambiguity guidelines-commentary inchoate-offenses judicial-deference sentencing-guidelines 1. Whether courts may defer to guidelines commentary without first determining that the underlying Guideline is genuinely ambiguous. 2. Whether the S…
22-7516 Adam Dean Brown v. United States Sixth Circuit 2023-05-10 Denied Response WaivedIFP bodily-injury controlled-substance criminal-intent drug-offense due-process felony-statute jury-determination prior-conviction sentencing sentencing-enhancement 21 U.S.C. § 841(A)(1) makes is a crime to "knowingly or intentionally .. . manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture…
22-7385 Timothy Eugene Brown v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2023-04-27 Denied Response WaivedIFP armed-career-offender controlled-substance controlled-substances eleventh-circuit federal-enhancement florida-priors sentencing sentencing-guidelines state-law state-priors Whether United States v. Jackson, 36 F.4th 1294 (11th Cir. 2022) was wrongly decided by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, when it stated that App…
22-7263 Christopher L. Ramirez v. United States Seventh Circuit 2023-04-12 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances due-process equal-protection federal-law sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation 1) Whether "controlled substance offenses" under United States Sentencing Guidelines §4B1.2(b) are limited to those offenses involving substances list…
22-6834 Michael Laury v. United States Third Circuit 2023-02-22 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-split controlled-substance crackhouse-statute drug-activity drug-distribution purpose purpose-element statutory-interpretation title-21-section-856 21 U.S.C. § 856 (A)(2) makes it unlawful to manage or control any place, whether permanently or temporarily, either as an owner, lessee, agent, employ…
22-6825 Richie Lee Edmonds, III v. United States Sixth Circuit 2023-02-21 Denied Relisted (2)IFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-history criminal-law drug-distribution due-process federal-sentencing federalism sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether a prior state conviction for drug distribution qualifies as a "controlled substance offense" under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b), when the state statute…
22-6717 Vontez Scales, aka Tez v. United States Third Circuit 2023-02-07 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender categorical-approach circuit-split civil-rights controlled-substance criminal-law delivery-definition due-process sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation The battle lines are clearly drawn, with the circuits split and without this court's intervention the debate regarding inchoate offenses are controlle…
22-6493 Robert Keith Kinsey v. United States Fifth Circuit 2023-01-09 Denied Response WaivedIFP 5th-amendment 6th-amendment constitutional-rights controlled-substance criminal-procedure due-process fifth-circuit preponderance-of-evidence sentencing supervised-release trial-by-jury Section 3583(g) of United States Code Title 18 requires a district court to revoke a defendant's term of supervised release and impose a term of impri…
22-6345 Jeffrey Johnson v. United States Seventh Circuit 2022-12-20 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-cfr-1308.11 career-offender controlled-substance controlled-substance-analogue drug-classification motion-to-suppress schedule-1 search-and-seizure search-warrant sentencing seventh-circuit I. Whether the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals incorrectly allowed the District Court's Determination that Furanyl fentanyl was a "controlled substan…
22-6307 John Homer Legros, Jr. v. United States Fifth Circuit 2022-12-15 Denied Response WaivedIFP conspiracy controlled-substance criminal-law drug-offense federal-jurisdiction sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether "Conspiracy" to Commit a Crime is a Controlled Substance Offense as defined under the United States Sentencing Guide lines Section §4B1.2I. W…
22-6211 In Re Patricia Ann Solomon 2022-12-02 Denied IFP civil-rights conspiracy conspiracy-charge controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law drug-distribution heck-v-humphrey legitimate-purpose medical-prescription prescribing-authority prescription-drugs As per Honorable Justice Breyer's opinion in the new United States Supreme Court ruling XIULU RUAN v. UNITED STATES No. 20-1410. Argued March 1, 2022 …
22-6117 Tracy Lamont Miles v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2022-11-21 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law federal-jurisdiction federal-question sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether the term "controlled substance," from the "controlled substance offense" definition in U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b), is limited to substances that are …
22-5902 Monica Rodriguez v. United States Ninth Circuit 2022-10-25 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-usc-841 circuit-split controlled-substance drug-conspiracy mandatory-minimum mens-rea sentencing sentencing-enhancement To prove conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance triggering mandatory-minimum and increased-maximum penalties, does the government need to est…
22-5879 Eugene Thurman v. United States Fifth Circuit 2022-10-20 Denied IFP administrative-law appellate-review controlled-substance criminal-law due-process fifth-circuit sentencing-guidelines separation-of-powers statutory-interpretation Did the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals err when it deferred to the United States Sentencing Commission's use of commentary in its Guidelines Manual to…
22-5816 Tony Lam v. United States Fifth Circuit 2022-10-12 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-usc-841 career-offender conspiracy conspiracy-offense controlled-substance ineffective-assistance legislative-authority legislative-delegation sentencing-commission sentencing-guidelines Did trial counsel provide ineffective assistance to his client upon his failure to research, investigate, and object to his client's career offender c…
22-5693 Rosa Isela Acuna v. United States Ninth Circuit 2022-09-27 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-conviction criminal-law drug-importation due-process mens-rea sentencing sentencing-enhancement statutory-interpretation Whether, under 21 U.S.C. § 960, a defendant who know ingly imports a controlled substance can be convicted and subjected to an enhanced punishment o…
22-5665 Geoffrie Dill v. United States Seventh Circuit 2022-09-22 Denied Response WaivedIFP appeals controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law drug-offense federal-jurisdiction federal-sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Does "controlled substance offense", as that term is used in U.S.S.G. §4B1.1 and defined by U.S.S.G. §4B1.2(b), refer only to those controlled substan…
22-5472 Aaron Michael Shamo v. United States Tenth Circuit 2022-08-30 Denied Response WaivedIFP anti-drug-abuse-act chemical-compound chemical-compounds controlled-substance counsel-waiver cruel-and-unusual-punishment drug-distribution drug-sentencing eighth-amendment essential-elements fentanyl statutory-interpretation In 1986, Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, which provided for a mandatory life without parole sentence for drug offenders who distributed very …
22-5461 James Keith Russey v. United States Tenth Circuit 2022-08-29 Denied Response WaivedIFP categorical-approach circuit-split controlled-substance federal-jurisdiction judicial-interpretation legal-uniformity sentencing-guidelines state-law Whether the categorical approach requires courts to define Sentencing Guidelines terms like "controlled substance" uniformly, as three circuits have h…
22-5449 Antonio Rodriguez, Jr. v. United States Fifth Circuit 2022-08-25 Denied Response WaivedIFP appellate-review circuit-conflict controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense drug-trafficking federal-conviction federal-drug-trafficking federal-sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Is it obvious error to find a prior federal drug trafficking conviction is a "controlled substance offense" under the Sentencing Guidelines when the s…
22-5427 Jade Christian Nichols v. United States Tenth Circuit 2022-08-23 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-procedure federal-law federal-sentencing preemption sentencing-guidelines state-law statutory-interpretation Does a state definition of "controlled substance" control a federal sentencing enhancement under the Sentencing Guidelines, when the state lists subst…
22-5417 Charles E. Williams v. United States Eighth Circuit 2022-08-22 Denied Response WaivedIFP armed-career-criminal-act controlled-substance criminal-law drug-transactions occasions-different personal-use-amounts sentencing-enhancement undercover-law-enforcement undercover-officer Are sequential drug transactions over a short time frame "committed on occasions different from one another" for the purpose of the Armed Career Crimi…
22-5378 Robert Collazo, Lino Delgado-Vidaca, Julio Rodriguez, and Steven Amador v. United States Ninth Circuit 2022-08-17 Denied Response WaivedIFP conspiracy controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law criminal-penalties drug-distribution due-process mandatory-minimum mens-rea sentencing Whether, to prove conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance triggering mandatory-minimum and increased-maximum penalties, the Government must sh…
22-5342 Patrick LaJuan Jones, Jr. v. United States Tenth Circuit 2022-08-11 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-procedure federal-law federal-sentencing preemption sentencing-guidelines state-law statutory-interpretation Does a state definition of "controlled substance" control a federal sentencing enhancement under the Sentencing Guidelines, when the state lists subst…
22-5204 Ramon Belducea-Mancinas v. United States Fifth Circuit 2022-07-27 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender circuit-conflict controlled-substance drug-trafficking federal-drug-conviction fifth-circuit plain-error sentencing-guidelines Ramon Belducea-Mancinas was sentenced as a career offender based on pre-2018 federal convictions for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. In December 2…
22-76 Keith L. Carnes v. United States Eighth Circuit 2022-07-26 Denied Amici (2) 2nd-amendment circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law criminal-statute drug-use due-process firearm-possession firearms statutory-interpretation unlawful-user Whether the government, to establish that the defendant is an "unlawful user" of a controlled substance, must show the defendant's regular or habitual…
22-5076 Holli Womack v. United States Sixth Circuit 2022-07-12 GVR IFP constitutional-vagueness controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law criminal-liability due-process health-care health-care-professional professional-liability ruan-v-united-states statutory-interpretation vagueness Because this Court's recent pronouncement in Ruan v. United States, 20-1410 applies to 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1) prosecutions involving health care profes…
21-8123 Terry Malone v. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 2022-06-10 Denied Response WaivedIFP burden-of-proof controlled-substance criminal-procedure due-process fourteenth-amendment mandatory-presumption patterson-v-new-york rebuttable-presumption DID THE SUPERIOR COURT VIOLATE THE DUE PROCESS CLAUSE OF THE FOUR TEENTH AMENDMENT (in its fullest context) AND THE DICTATES OF THIS COURT IN "PATTERS…
21-8075 Ricky Bagola v. United States Eighth Circuit 2022-06-07 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-usc-801 advisory-range controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense controlled-substances-act criminal-law federal-sentencing-guidelines federal-statute prior-conviction sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation ussg-4b1.2(b) Is the term "controlled substance" in § 4B1.2(b) limited to those substances defined and regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S…
21-7070 Anderson Curtel Duke v. United States Fifth Circuit 2022-02-08 Denied Response WaivedIFP agency-deference agency-interpretation attempt-crimes circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense judicial-deference kisor-v-wilkie sentencing-guidelines stare-decisis stinson-v-united-states 1. Should courts defer to Sentencing Guidelines commentary when there is no ambiguity in the underlying text? 2. Has the Commission impermissibly exp…
21-6825 Diana Bustamante v. United States Eighth Circuit 2022-01-12 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender categorical-approach circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law modified-categorical-approach predicate-offenses sentencing-enhancement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Do statutes criminalizing simulated controlled substances count as predicate "controlled substance offenses" for applicability of the career offender …
21-6758 Cameron Taevon Jones v. United States Tenth Circuit 2022-01-04 Denied Response WaivedIFP categorical-approach circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-law federal-law guidelines sentencing sentencing-guidelines state-law does the term "controlled substance offense" as defined in the Guidelines include offenses under state law that are not categorical matches under fede…
21-6332 Daeron Johnson Merrett, aka Reez v. United States Eighth Circuit 2021-11-18 Denied Response WaivedIFP appeals-court-split buyer-seller-instruction circuit-split conspiracy-distribution controlled-substance drug-conspiracy federal-drug-offenses mandatory-minimum mandatory-minimum-sentence sentencing-enhancement serious-drug-felony A SPLIT EXISTS IN THE COURTS OF APPEALS REGARDING THE GRANTING BUYER-SELLER INSTRUCTION IN THE TRIAL OF FEDERAL CONSPIRACY AND DISTRIBUTION CASES. PE…
21-6295 Jmarreon Mack v. United States Fifth Circuit 2021-11-16 Denied IFP administrative-law appellate-review attempt controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense deference fifth-circuit judicial-deference sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Did the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals err when it deferred to the United States Sentencing Commission's use of commentary in its Guidelines Manual to…
21-6280 Johnny Williams v. United States Sixth Circuit 2021-11-15 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-sentencing drug-conspiracy drug-distribution-conspiracy due-process enhanced-sentence mens-rea statutory-construction statutory-interpretation When the Government clearly defines the scope and object of a drug distribution conspiracy in a charging Indictment, do the lower courts err when they…
21-6231 Christopher Lee Scott v. United States Fourth Circuit 2021-11-10 Denied Response WaivedIFP categorical-approach controlled-substance controlled-substance-offenses divisibility fourth-circuit-review modified-categorical-approach precedent remand sentencing-enhancement statutory-interpretation I. Whether this case should be remanded for the Fourth Circuit to decide the issue presented below, which is whether S.C. Code §§ 44-53-370 and 44-53-…
21-6111 Jonas Ross, III v. United States Eighth Circuit 2021-10-29 Denied Response WaivedIFP burrage-standard burrage-v-united-states but-for-causation causation circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law drug-distribution eighth-circuit evidence WHETHER THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT'S CONCLUSION THAT MR. ROSS DISTRIBUTED THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF K.P. IS IN CONFLICT WITH THIS…
21-5872 Antonio Donnel Johnson v. United States Eighth Circuit 2021-10-04 Denied Response WaivedIFP administrative-law controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense guideline-commentary inchoate-offense inchoate-offenses precursor-offense precursor-offenses sentencing-commission sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation (1) Whether the United States Sentencing Commission exceeded its authority by adding inchoate and precursor offenses to the definition of "controlled …
21-5731 Sheridan Sisk v. United States Seventh Circuit 2021-09-22 Denied IFP circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law due-process federal-sentencing-guidelines federal-statute sentencing-enhancement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation The Guideline applicable to a felon in possession, U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1, increase s a defendant's base offense level if a defendant has prior "controlled …
21-5633 Roland J. McLain v. United States Seventh Circuit 2021-09-10 Denied IFP career-offender circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-law due-process federal-guidelines federal-sentencing-guidelines sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation 1. Does the phrase "controlled substance" in U.S.S.G. § 4Bl.2(b) , including as it is incorporated into U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1, include substances that are …
21-5413 Antoine L. Wallace v. United States Seventh Circuit 2021-08-18 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-procedure drug-offense federal-law sentencing-guidelines state-law statutory-interpretation United States Sentencing Guidelines enhance the sentence for drug offenders and gun offenders, if, among other things, they have prior "felony convict…
21-5307 Millard Jerome Strickland, Jr. v. United States Fourth Circuit 2021-08-05 Denied Response WaivedRelisted (4)IFP career-offender circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-conviction federal-law sentencing-guidelines state-law Can a prior conviction involving a substance that is not a controlled substance for the purposes of federal law render a federal defendant a "career o…
21-143 Raymond Rodriguez-Rivera v. United States First Circuit 2021-08-03 Denied Amici (3)Response Waived agreement circuit-split conspiracy controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law overt-act sentencing-guidelines The United States Sentencing Guidelines define a "controlled substance offense" as one that includes "the offense[] of * * * conspiring * * * to commi…
21-5099 Thomas Javion Guerrant v. United States Fourth Circuit 2021-07-14 Denied Response RequestedResponse WaivedRelisted (4)IFP career-offender controlled-substance drug-trafficking federal-law predicate-offense sentencing-guidelines state-conviction Does a state conviction for distribution of a substance not defined as a "controlled substance" by federal law qualify as a career offender predicate …
21-5042 John Shields v. United States Sixth Circuit 2021-07-08 Denied IFP controlled-substance criminal-procedure double-jeopardy evidence guilty-plea money-laundering plain-error waiver waiver-doctrine I. Whether the Sixth Circuit's blanket policy of relying on the waiver doctrine as justificatio n for refusing to review an insufficiency of the evide…
20-8310 Kenrick Brathwaite v. United States Second Circuit 2021-06-15 Denied Response WaivedIFP apprendi-rule circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law drug-conspiracy jury-instructions jury-verdict sentencing sentencing-exposure statutory-interpretation statutory-penalties 1. What is the statutory maximum sentence for a conspiracy conviction under 21 U.S.C. §§ 963 or 846, where the jury has declined to make any specific …
20-8213 James Atwood v. United States Seventh Circuit 2021-06-03 Denied Relisted (4)IFP career-offender circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances federal-law sentencing-guidelines state-law Does the undefined term "controlled substance" in the federal Sentencing Guidelines mean substances controlled by federal law, the federal Controlled …
20-8189 Heather Dawn Griffith v. United States Fifth Circuit 2021-06-02 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-procedure drug-distribution federal-rule federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure plea-agreement plea-bargaining sentencing statutory-interpretation Whether, in a prosecution under 21 U.S.C. § 846, Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(b)(3) requires a statement sufficient to show an agreement to d…
20-8084 Gregory Brown v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2021-05-20 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law federal-courts federal-procedure mens-rea sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether 28 U.S.C. § 994(h)(2)(B) and the definition of a "controlled substance offense" in U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b) require that a defendant's prior offens…
20-8077 Kavoris Clayton v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2021-05-19 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law drug-offense mens-rea sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether the drug conduct in the "controlled substance offense" definition in U.S. Sentencing Guideline § 4B1.2(b) requires knowledge of the illicit na…
20-8047 Cornelius R. Caple v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2021-05-17 Denied IFP acca assault career-offender controlled-substance criminal-law elements-clause mens-rea sentencing-guidelines I. Whether the drug conduct in the "controlled substance offense" definition in U.S. Sentencing Guideline § 4B1.2(b) requires knowledge of the illicit…
20-7872 Jeremy Darnell Morton v. United States Sixth Circuit 2021-04-28 Denied Response WaivedIFP 4th-amendment appeal attempt-offense career-offender controlled-substance criminal-procedure guideline-range harmless-error search-and-seizure sentencing I. Did the court of appeals err in using the harmless error rule to resolve the illegal search and seizure of $8,300? II. Was the career offender gui…
20-7798 Christopher Williams v. United States Eighth Circuit 2021-04-20 GVR Relisted (4)IFP armed-career-criminal-act controlled-substance drug-transactions judicial-vindictiveness law-enforcement-officer occasions-different prosecutorial-vindictiveness sentencing sentencing-recommendation undercover-law-enforcement I. Are sequential drug transactions over a short time frame "committed on occasions different from one another" for purposes of the Armed Career Crimi…
20-7742 Deandre Joseph Warren v. United States Eighth Circuit 2021-04-14 Denied IFP administrative-law controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense guideline-commentary inchoate-offense inchoate-offenses precursor-offense precursor-offenses sentencing-commission sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation (1) Whether the United States Sentencing Commission exceeded its authority by adding inchoate and precursor offenses to the definition of "controlled …
20-7533 Preston James v. United States Second Circuit 2021-03-23 Denied IFP career-offender career-offender-guideline controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense guideline-commentary inchoate-offense inchoate-offenses sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether it is a misapplication of the Sentencing Guidelines for a sentencing court to defer to guideline commentary that expands the definition of a c…
20-7387 Vaughn Lewis v. United States First Circuit 2021-03-09 Denied Relisted (2)IFP agency-deference career-offender controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense deference inchoate-offenses sentencing-guidelines separation-of-powers statutory-interpretation When "controlled substance offense" is defined in the text of the Career Offender Guideline, U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b), whether the commentary can add consp…
20-7327 Timothy A. Ward v. United States Fourth Circuit 2021-03-05 Denied IFP career-offender categorical-approach controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law federal-guidelines federal-law sentencing sentencing-guidelines state-drug-schedules state-law Under the provisions of the career offender enhancement in the United States Sentencing Guidelines, guideline ranges are dramatically increased for pe…
20-7277 Niles O'Neil v. United States Second Circuit 2021-03-03 Denied Relisted (2)IFP appellate-review controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense inchoate-offense inchoate-offenses judicial-deference kisor-v-wilkie sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation I. Whether the Court of Appeals erred in holding that the U.S. Sentencing Commission acted within its authority by its commentary to $ U.S. Sentencing…
20-7276 Russell Lawayne Montague v. United States Fifth Circuit 2021-03-01 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-procedure due-process protective-order sentencing-disparities sentencing-factors sentencing-guidelines sentencing-review supervised-release 1) Whether the district court ordered an unreasonably long 114-month prison sentence. 2) Whether the district court erred by finding Mr. Montague gui…
20-7284 Tyrell Donte Curry v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2021-03-01 Denied Amici (2)IFP armed-career-criminal-act categorical-approach controlled-substance criminal-procedure mens-rea serious-drug-offense statutory-interpretation Whether the drug conduct in the Armed Career Criminal Act's "serious drug offense" definition in 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(A)(ii) requires knowledge of th…
20-7285 Cedric Durand Collins v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2021-03-01 Denied IFP controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law drug-offense due-process knowledge-requirement mens-rea sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether the drug conduct in the "controlled substance offense" definition in U.S. Sentencing Guideline § 4B1.2(b) requires knowledge of the illicit na…
20-7286 Kashus Davis v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2021-03-01 Denied IFP 18-usc-924 armed-career-criminal-act controlled-substance criminal-law criminal-procedure mens-rea serious-drug-offense statutory-interpretation Whether the drug conduct in the Armed Career Criminal Act's "serious drug offense" definition in 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(A)(ii) requires knowledge of th…
20-7287 Viguens Cius v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2021-03-01 Denied IFP controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law drug-offense due-process knowledge-requirement mens-rea sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether the drug conduct in the "controlled substance offense" definition in U.S. Sentencing Guideline § 4B1.2(b) requires knowledge of the illicit na…
20-7204 Shane Faithful v. United States Fifth Circuit 2021-02-22 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-distribution criminal-law federal-sentencing medical-care medical-prescription prescription-drugs sentencing sixth-amendment statutory-interpretation 1. Whether a physician who prescribes a controlled substance to a patient for reasons other than medical care has unlawfully "dispensed" the substance…
20-7167 Elin Robinson Mejia Romero v. United States First Circuit 2021-02-17 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-intent criminal-law drug-distribution due-process mens-rea sentencing-enhancement statutory-interpretation Whether, under 21 U.S.C. § 841, a defendant who knowingly possesses or distributes a controlled substance can be convicted and subjected to an enhance…
20-7069 Martell Roberts v. United States Eighth Circuit 2021-02-08 Denied Relisted (2)IFP administrative-law controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense guideline-commentary inchoate-offense inchoate-offenses precursor-offense precursor-offenses sentencing-commission sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation (1) Whether the United States Sentencing Commission exceeded its authority by adding inchoate and precursor offenses to the definition of "controlled …
20-7006 Jacquere Doran, aka Jacare Gorman v. United States Eighth Circuit 2021-02-01 Denied Response WaivedIFP base-offense-level controlled-substance criminal-sentencing district-court-error enhancement felony-conviction felony-enhancement marijuana-conviction prior-conviction sentencing-guidelines Did the District Court err in treating Mr. Doran's prior California conviction for sale of marijuana as a felony conviction and using it to enhance hi…
20-6730 Jose Lupe Corrall v. United States Fifth Circuit 2020-12-31 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law criminal-procedure drug-distribution due-process federal-scheduling guilty-plea knowledge-standard mens-rea plea-bargaining statutory-interpretation 1. Under McFadden v. United States, ---U.S.---, 135 S.Ct. 2298 (2015), when a defendant pleads guilty to "knowingly" distributing a controlled substan…
20-6405 Joshua Cato v. United States Fifth Circuit 2020-11-23 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law criminal-procedure drug-distribution due-process federal-scheduling guilty-plea knowledge-standard mens-rea plea-bargaining statutory-interpretation 1. Under McFadden v. United States, --U.S.---, 135 S.Ct. 2298 (2015), when a defendant pleads guilty to "knowingly" distributing a controlled substanc…
20-6399 Duwayne Jones v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2020-11-20 Denied Response RequestedResponse WaivedRelisted (3)IFP career-offender controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense eleventh-circuit fifth-circuit florida-statute-§-893.13 mens-rea second-circuit sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation u.s.s.g.-§-4b1.2(b) Is a post-2002 conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver or sell, in violation of Fla. Stat. § 893.13, a "controlled substance offen…
20-6311 Russell Davis v. United States Sixth Circuit 2020-11-13 Denied Response WaivedIFP accomplice-liability co-conspirator-liability controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-law drug-distribution due-process enhanced-penalty pinkerton-liability sentencing I. Whether the government must satisfy the evidentiary requirements for accomplice liability under 18 U.S.C. §2 or co-conspirator liability under Pink…
20-6133 Theodore David Newcomb v. United States Eighth Circuit 2020-10-26 Denied Response WaivedIFP categorical-approach conspiracy conspiracy-elements controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense eighth-circuit inchoate-offense sentencing-commission statutory-interpretation (1) Whether the United States Sentencing Commission exceeded its authority by adding inchoate and precursor offenses to the definition of "controlled …
20-5975 Nathaniel Ruth v. United States Seventh Circuit 2020-10-09 Denied IFP career-offender circuit-split controlled-substance drug-offenses federal-sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation 1. Does the phrase "controlled substance" in U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(b) include substances that are excluded from the CSA? 2. When defining an operative, bu…
20-5513 Timothy Allen McWilliams v. United States Eighth Circuit 2020-08-27 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender circuit-split conspiracy controlled-substance due-process methamphetamine sentencing-guidelines Whether the courts must give deference to the commentary to United States Sentencing Guidelines (U.S.S.G.) § 4B1.1(b)(2) in determining whether a defe…
20-5321 Michael Wayne Wadena v. United States Eighth Circuit 2020-08-11 Denied Response WaivedIFP civil-rights controlled-substance criminal-history due-process eighth-amendment firearm-possession related-cases sentencing sentencing-enhancement serious-drug-offense statutory-interpretation Does 924(e)'s "serious drug offense" mandate that courts consider both statutes when sentencing Could hypothetical aggravating sentencing factors be …
20-5284 Tony Lam v. United States Fifth Circuit 2020-08-06 Denied Response WaivedIFP administrative-law constitutional-authority controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law drug-conspiracy sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Does the U.S. Sentencing Commission's use of the Sentencing Guideline commentary in U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 to capture drug conspiracy offenses within the me…
20-5054 Michael Lance Davis, aka Michael Scott Davis v. United States Ninth Circuit 2020-07-14 Denied Response WaivedIFP categorical-approach controlled-substance criminal-sentencing distribution manufacturing ninth-circuit possession-with-intent-to-distribute serious-drug-offense statutory-interpretation Whether Shular v. United States, 140 S. Ct. 779 (2020), abrogates the "related to" test for whether a state crime qualifies as a serious drug offense,…
20-5055 Juan Carlos Castellanos Muratella v. United States Eighth Circuit 2020-07-14 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender circuit-conflict controlled-substance controlled-substances counterfeit-controlled-substances criminal-law drug-trafficking due-process imitation-controlled-substances simulated-substance statutory-interpretation Is a statute that includes simulated controlled substances, imitation controlled substances, and counterfeit controlled substances categorically a con…
19-8885 Juan Leonardo Cadenas-Urena v. United States Fifth Circuit 2020-07-01 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-procedure drug-manufacturing due-process evidence evidence-sufficiency jury-verdict premises-liability sentencing-guidelines sufficiency-of-evidence 1) DID THE PANEL ERR BY HOLDING THAT THE EVIDENCE IS SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN THE JURY'S GUILTY VERDICT? 2) DID THE PANEL ERR BY UPHOLDING THE APPLICATI…
19-8586 Roy Ramirez v. United States Eighth Circuit 2020-06-02 Denied Response WaivedIFP attempt circuit-split conspiracy controlled-substance criminal-law inchoate-offense inchoate-offenses sentencing-guidelines Whether the United States Sentencing Commission has properly defined a "controlled substance offense" under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 (b) to include the inchoa…
19-8038 Jermaine James v. United States Eighth Circuit 2020-03-18 Denied Response WaivedIFP attempt circuit-split commentary conspiracy controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law inchoate-offense inchoate-offenses sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Whether the United States Sentencing Commission has properly defined a "controlled substance offense" under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2 (b) to include the inchoa…
19-7957 Damar D. Ruffin v. United States Sixth Circuit 2020-03-12 Denied Response WaivedIFP appeals appellate-review controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-procedure double-jeopardy due-process evidence evidence-law jury-instruction jury-trial reversible-error sentencing standard-of-review 1. Sheer le Sul, Circle Cocer oF Aopeals Tiling \s \n direct Contes cartlkwothe Laws othe Svupreme CoURT™ Rex er ding . Pleas Eaor tor Kel cation OF —…
19-7760 Jeremy Achey v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2020-02-25 Denied Response WaivedIFP burden-of-proof conspiracy controlled-substance controlled-substance-analogue criminal-sentencing drug-conspiracy due-process federal-drug-law mandatory-minimum sentencing statutory-interpretation statutory-penalties 1. Whether, in cases where a drug conspiracy allegedly involves multiple substances, the government must prove that the defendant conspired to distrib…
19-7731 Michael Herrold v. United States Fifth Circuit 2020-02-21 Denied IFP armed-career-criminal-act burglary controlled-substance controlled-substances drug-distribution generic-burglary generic-definition intent intent-element overbreadth state-statute statutory-interpretation 1. Where a state statute explicitly defines "burglary" in a way that does not require proof of an intent to commit a crime, and thus lacks an element …
19-7706 Tommy Adams, Jr. v. United States Fourth Circuit 2020-02-19 Denied Response WaivedRelisted (2)IFP career-offender career-offender-guideline controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense controlled-substances criminal-law fourth-circuit modified-categorical-approach sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation taylor-descamps-mathis-precedent taylor-v-united-states DID THE FOURTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS INCORRECTLY APPLY THE LINE OF AUTHORITY FROM THIS COURT BEGINNING WITH TAYLOR V. UNITED STATES, 495 U.S. 575 (…
19-7665 Marvie Chapman, Jr. v. United States Eighth Circuit 2020-02-13 Denied Response WaivedIFP categorical-approach controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-statute divisibility felony-drug-offense mathis-standard mathis-v-united-states sentencing-enhancement serious-drug-offense statutory-interpretation How to determine whether a statute is indivisible for purposes of applying Mathis v. United States to "controlled substance offense", "serious drug of…
19-7575 Rashaun Scott Carter v. United States Fourth Circuit 2020-02-05 Denied Response WaivedIFP appellate-review appellate-waiver controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-procedure due-process guilty-plea ineffective-assistance ineffective-assistance-of-counsel plea-bargaining presentence-investigation sentencing Does an appellate waiver bar an appeal based upon a flawed, prejudicial presentence investigation report performed between the trial court's acceptanc…
19-7472 Tymaine Akeen Lewis v. United States Fifth Circuit 2020-01-29 Denied IFP 18-usc-924(e) armed-career-criminal armed-career-criminal-act categorical-approach controlled-substance drug-offense firearm-possession prior-conviction qualifying-offense robbery statutory-interpretation texas-robbery violent Whether Petitioner is an Armed Career criminal under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)?
19-7057 Johnny L. Shelton v. United States Sixth Circuit 2019-12-26 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-usc-841 21-usc-846 conspiracy controlled-substance criminal-penalty drug-conspiracy drug-trafficking fifth-amendment inchoate-crime sentencing-enhancement statutory-interpretation Whether the "death results" enhanced penalty provisions of 21 U.S.C. §841(b)(1)(C) apply to a prosecution for the inchoate crime of conspiracy to comm…
19-6834 Lee Hope v. United States Sixth Circuit 2019-12-04 Denied Response WaivedIFP 18-usc-922g3 constitutional-vagueness controlled-substance criminal-procedure criminal-procedure-due-process-rehaif-v-united-sta due-process federal-statute judgment-of-acquittal rehaif-v-united-states unlawful-user vagueness 1.) Whether the Circuit Court of Appeals erred in holding that defendant's motion for judgment of acquittal was properly denied by the District Court …
19-6849 Cedric Sharrod Williams v. United States Fourth Circuit 2019-12-04 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-court-review controlled-substance criminal-law drug-crimes due-process firearm-proximity firearms fourth-circuit sentencing sentencing-enhancement statutory-interpretation Whether the fourth circuit court of appeals erred in concluding that, despite the controlled substance [heroin] in this matter having been locked in a…
19-6775 James Marione Butchee v. United States Eighth Circuit 2019-11-27 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender controlled-substance criminal-history due-process federal-sentencing ineffective-counsel sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation violent-felony The Federal Minimum Mandatory sentence for Career offender clause [21 USC 841(b)] is at question in this petition, Do having one violent felony and on…
19-6748 Steven A. Adams v. United States Seventh Circuit 2019-11-26 Denied Response WaivedIFP aiding-and-abetting ambiguity attempt conspiracy controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law deference deference-doctrine sentencing-enhancement sentencing-guidelines sentencing-guidelines-manual-4b1.2b statutory-interpretation 1. Whether the term "controlled substance offense" defined by UNITED STATES SENTENCING GUIDELINES MANUAL § 4B1.2(b) to mean "an offense under federal …
19-6586 Shane Inghels v. United States Seventh Circuit 2019-11-12 Denied IFP 18-usc-924 armed-career-criminal-act categorical-approach controlled-substance criminal-statute divisibility indiana-code indiana-code-35-48-4-1.1 serious-drug-offense statutory-interpretation Whether a conviction for dealing in methamphetamine under Indiana Code § 35-48-4-1.1 is improperly considered a "serious drug offense" under the Armed…
19-6318 Damon Tracy Locke v. United States Eighth Circuit 2019-10-21 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-sentencing drug-statute drug-statutes mathis-precedent mathis-v-united-states plain-error sentencing-enhancement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation Is the Eighth Circuit interpretation and application of drug statutes as qualifying offenses for career offender status in opposition to Mathis v. Uni…
19-6149 Desmond Williams v. United States Eighth Circuit 2019-10-03 Denied Response WaivedIFP aiding-and-abetting civil-procedure civil-rights commentary conspiracy controlled-substance criminal-procedure due-process equal-protection federal-jurisdiction legal-analysis legal-citation legal-issues legal-research legal-terminology legal-writing sentencing-commission standing Whether the Sentencing Commission violated the separation-of-powers doctrine when it added the offenses of conspiring, aiding and abetting, and attemp…
19-5871 Patrick Jones v. United States Seventh Circuit 2019-09-10 Denied Response WaivedIFP attempt controlled-substance controlled-substances federal-crime federal-law guidelines-interpretation mandatory-minimum offer-to-sell preparatory-action sentencing-commission sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation substantial-step tenth-circuit-precedent 1) Did the district court error in increasing Havis base offense level based upon its belief that the Commentary to &4Bli2 appropriately includes atte…
19-5789 Jamar Lynn McMillan v. United States Third Circuit 2019-09-03 GVR Relisted (2)IFP career-offender career-offender-enhancement categorical-approach controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense pennsylvania-law predicate-offense rehaif-v-united-states sentencing-guidelines third-circuit 1. Does the categorical approach apply in determining whether an offense qualifies as a predicate for the career-offender enhancement under the Senten…
19-5491 Shed T. Woods v. United States Seventh Circuit 2019-08-07 Denied IFP armed-career-criminal-act categorical-approach controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-conviction divisibility drug-offense indiana-code-35-48-4-1 indiana-statute serious-drug-offense statutory-interpretation Whether a conviction for dealing in cocaine or narcotic drug under Indiana Code § 35-48-4-1 is improperly considered a "serious drug offense" under th…
19-5096 Nicholas Rivera v. United States Third Circuit 2019-07-09 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender career-offender-enhancement categorical-approach controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law federal-law pennsylvania-law predicate-offense sentencing-guidelines Does the categorical approach apply in determining whether an offense qualifies as a predicate for the career-offender enhancement under the Sentencin…
18A1368 Ibrahim McCants v. United States Third Circuit 2019-06-27 Presumed Complete controlled-substance crime-of-violence felon-in-possession motion-to-suppress sentencing-guidelines third-circuit Question not identified.
18A1365 Juaquene Solomon v. United States Sixth Circuit 2019-06-26 Presumed Complete career-offender controlled-substance judicial-discretion plea-agreement sentencing-guidelines sixth-circuit Question not identified.
18-9604 Reitilly Fuentes Ramos v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2019-06-11 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance criminal-procedure dangerous-weapon enhancement pellet-gun sentencing-guidelines ussg-2d1.1 Whether the District Court calculated Mr. Fuentes-Ramos's Sentencing Guidelines when it applied a two-level enhancement pursuant to USSG §2D1.1(b)(1) …
18-9574 Fayez Abu-Aish v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2019-06-06 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-usc-841 21-usc-846 conspiracy controlled-substance criminal-intent distribution drug-distribution mcfadden-precedent specific-knowledge statutory-interpretation Whether the Government must prove that a defendant had specific knowledge of a controlled substance identified as XLR-11 in order to convict the defen…
18-9069 Hector Rengifo v. United States Third Circuit 2019-05-03 Denied Response WaivedIFP certificate-of-appealability circuit-court-split civil-procedure controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense court-of-appeals due-process habeas-corpus ineffective-assistance ineffective-assistance-of-counsel sentencing-guidelines sixth-amendment standing supreme-court-precedent united-states-v-winstead Whether two United States Court of Appeals has entered a decision in conflict with relevant decision of this Court. Whether Pennsylvania's statute fo…
18-8392 Obinna Obiora v. United States First Circuit 2019-03-13 Denied Response WaivedIFP constitutional-law controlled-substance criminal-procedure drug-conspiracy due-process jackson-standard jackson-v-virginia reasonable-doubt sufficiency-of-evidence 1. When the evidence that links a defendant to a charged drug conspiracy is based on his participation in an isolated series of alleged transactions w…
18-8265 Bradford D Vol Allen v. United States Fourth Circuit 2019-03-04 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-usc-843b administrative-law auer-deference categorical-approach circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense notice-and-comment sentencing-commission sentencing-guidelines separation-of-powers statutory-interpretation Whether the Sentencing Commission, without Congressional approval or a notice-and-comment period, may add a crime to the Sentencing Guideline definiti…
18-1064 In Re Octavious DeMont Williams 2019-02-13 Denied 21-usc-841 burden-of-proof constitutional-due-process constitutional-rights controlled-substance criminal-procedure due-process elements-of-crime fifth-amendment judicial-misconduct jury jury-finding jury-trial Whether petitioner's constitutional due process was violated when he was deprived of the fundamental right that a jury find him guilty of all elements…
18-7498 Eddie Hall v. J. A. Terris, Warden Sixth Circuit 2019-01-18 Denied Response WaivedIFP career-offender career-offender-enhancement controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense due-process fundamental-defect habeas-corpus habeas-corpus-petition miscarriage-of-justice section-2241 sentencing sentencing-enhancement Whether the District and Circuit Courts erred in the denial of Hall's § 2241 Petition where, as here, Hall sufficiently demonstrated that the decision…
18-6926 James Valentine v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2018-12-06 Denied Response WaivedRelisted (2)IFP circuit-court-conflict circuit-court-review circuit-split controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-sentencing criminal-sentencing-enhancement drug-conviction due-process ineffective-assistance ineffective-assistance-of-counsel prior-convictions sentence-enhancement sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation DID THE HONORABLE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA COMMIT "PLAIN AND OBVIOUS ERROR" BY ALLOWING THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT,…
18-6917 Rodolfo Portela v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2018-12-04 Denied Response WaivedIFP appeal competency-hearing conspiracy controlled-substance controlled-substances criminal-procedure criminal-procedure-sentencing drug-conspiracy drug-trafficking evidence-suppression firearm-possession sentencing sentencing-guidelines sufficiency-of-evidence 1. Whether The District Court, Erred When It Found That There was Sufficient Evidence That the Appellant had Committed the Acts Alleged in Count I, Co…
18-6858 Micah G. Pritchett v. United States Fourth Circuit 2018-11-28 Denied Response WaivedIFP categorical-approach controlled-substance criminal-law distribution drug-distribution federal-sentencing sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation virginia virginia-law Sentencing Guidelines?
18-6748 Malachi M. Glass v. United States Third Circuit 2018-11-21 Denied Response WaivedIFP controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law criminal-statute drug-offense federal-law federal-sentencing pennsylvania pennsylvania-law sentencing-guidelines statutory-interpretation 1. WHETHER THE BROADER PENNSYLVANIA DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE STATUTE, 35 PA. C.S.A. § 780-113(A)(30), QUALIFIES AS A "CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE O…
18-6474 Tyrone Hart v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2018-10-29 Denied Response WaivedIFP armed-career-criminal-act begay-v-united-states categorical-approach controlled-substance criminal-statute drug-offense elonis-v-united-states federal-law florida-statute intent-to-sell mens-rea serious-drug-offense staples-v-united-states Is a post-2002 conviction for possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver a controlled substance in violation of Fla. Stat. § 893.13 a "se…
18-6398 Deon Pittman v. United States Sixth Circuit 2018-10-23 Denied Response WaivedIFP circuit-split controlled-substance criminal-statute drug-offense element-of-offense federal-law means-of-offense michigan-law sentencing-guidelines state-law state-statute When a state statute prohibits the delivery of a "controlled substance" by reference to various schedules, is the specific type of substance an elemen…
18-6301 Darrell Lynn Dancy v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2018-10-15 Denied Response WaivedIFP appeals-court armed-career-criminal-act controlled-substance criminal-procedure district-court factual-innocence predicate-offense sentencing-enhancement unlawful-distribution A "serious drug offense," under the Armed Career Criminal Act, 18 U.s.c. § 924(e), is one involving manufacturing, distribution or possessing with int…
18-5835 Juan Fernando Lizarraga-Leyva v. United States Ninth Circuit 2018-08-30 Denied Response WaivedIFP aggravated-felony controlled-substance deportation drug-trafficking drug-trafficking-crime illicit-trafficking immigration-law immigration-nationality-act mens-rea state-law statutory-interpretation Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a noncitizen is subject to mandatory removal if convicted of an "aggravated felony." The list of aggravated…
18-5684 Alejandro Verduzco-Rangel v. United States Ninth Circuit 2018-08-21 Denied Response WaivedIFP aggravated-felony controlled-substance deportation drug-trafficking immigration-law immigration-nationality-act mens-rea statutory-interpretation Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a noncitizen is subject to mandatory removal if convicted of an "aggravated felony." The list of aggravated…
18-5654 Willie Lee Daniels v. United States Eleventh Circuit 2018-08-20 Denied Response WaivedIFP 21-usc-841 collateral-review constitutional-challenge controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-law descamps-v-united-states mathis-v-united-states montgomery-v-louisiana retroactivity retroactivity-of-new-rules sentencing sentencing-enhancement Whether Mathis v. United States, is retroactive to cases on collateral review, where the principles set forth in Motgomery v. Louisiana, dictate that …
18-5274 Manuel Vega v. United States Ninth Circuit 2018-07-19 Denied Response WaivedIFP california-health-and-safety-code-11378 categorical-approach controlled-substance controlled-substance-offense criminal-conviction divisible-statute drug-offense federal-sentencing federal-sentencing-guideline mathis-v-united-states modified-categorical-approach sentencing-enhancement state-court-decision A prior drug conviction, if it is a federal "controlled substance offense," can increase a federal criminal sentence or result in an alien's deportati…