4th Circuit Daily Opinions

US v. Rashaun Taylor - Appeal Dismissed for Untimely Filing

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Rashaun Taylor's appeal for lack of jurisdiction due to an untimely filed notice of appeal. The court denied his motions to consolidate and for Brady v. Maryland consideration, upholding the district court's order denying his motion to compel discovery.

Hoffman v. Inova Health Care Services - Employment Discrimination

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of employment discrimination claims filed by two CRNAs against Inova Health Care Services and NAPA. The court found that the plaintiffs failed to state a claim and that one plaintiff did not exhaust administrative remedies.

US v. Cory Currie - Criminal Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed in part and affirmed in part the appeal of Cory Fernando Currie. The court granted the government's motion to dismiss the appeal based on the appeal waiver in Currie's plea agreement, finding the district court conducted a proper Rule 11 hearing.

US v. John Moore - Fourth Amendment Search and Seizure

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded a conviction for John Henry Moore, instructing the district court to conduct an evidentiary hearing on the defendant's motion to suppress evidence seized during searches of his apartment. The court found the district court erred by denying the motion without a hearing.

Fitzwater v. CONSOL Energy - ERISA Retiree Benefits

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision regarding the termination of CONSOL Energy's retiree welfare benefits plan. The court found that ERISA permits such changes when employers reserve the right to amend or terminate plans and employees are aware of these actions. The decision impacts employers with similar benefit plans and their former employees.

Heather Cogdell v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance - ERISA Disability Benefits

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision in Heather Cogdell v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company. The court held that an untimely decision by a plan administrator on an internal appeal of a disability benefits claim, governed by ERISA, does not warrant deferential review.

Phillip Hill v. Frederick County Maryland District Court - Civil Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's order dismissing a pro se civil complaint filed by Phillip Edward Hill against the Frederick County Maryland District Court and other defendants. The court found no reversible error in the district court's decision.

Vines v. Virginia Department of Corrections - Appeal Dismissed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Clayton Vines's appeal of a district court order. The dismissal was based on Vines's failure to file timely objections to a magistrate judge's recommendation, thereby forfeiting appellate review. The unpublished opinion does not constitute binding precedent.

River Richards v. Major Brian Parks - Appeal of Complaint Dismissal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's dismissal of River Richards' amended complaint without prejudice. The court found no reversible error in the dismissal for failure to state a claim or in the denial of the motion for reconsideration. The decision is unpublished and not binding precedent.

US v. Terry White - Affirmation of Revoked Supervised Release Sentence

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to revoke Terry Antonio White's supervised release and impose an 18-month prison sentence. The court found no meritorious grounds for appeal, concluding the sentence was not plainly unreasonable.