4th Circuit Daily Opinions

US v. Simpson - Affirmation of Wire Fraud Conviction

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of William Simpson, II, for wire fraud related to defrauding the United States of over one million dollars in COVID-19 relief funds. The court found the sentence of 36 months imprisonment to be procedurally and substantively reasonable.

US v. Jamie Ewings - Affirmation of Sentence

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence of Jamie Ewings for theft of government property. The court found no plain error in the acceptance of the guilty plea and affirmed the 13-month sentence as procedurally and substantively reasonable.

Sammy Mclain Jr. v. Matt Young - Appeal of § 1983 Complaint Dismissal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's dismissal of Sammy Mclain Jr.'s § 1983 complaint. The dismissal was based on the complaint being frivolous and failing to state a claim. The appellate court found no reversible error in the lower court's orders.

Tracy Howard v. United Airlines - Civil Complaint Affirmation

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a civil complaint filed by Tracy Howard against United Airlines. The unpublished opinion stated that the complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. The court denied the appellant's motions to supplement the record.

US v. Anthony Chosewood - Sentence Reduction Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's denial of Anthony Scott Chosewood's motion for a sentence reduction under Amendment 821 to the Sentencing Guidelines. The unpublished opinion means this decision does not set precedent.

Marian Shearin v. United States - Civil Action Affirmance

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of Marian Shearin's civil action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The appellate court modified the lower court's order to explicitly state the dismissal was without prejudice.

Henson v. City of Virginia Beach - Appeal Affirmed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a pro se appellant's amended complaint. The appellant alleged violations under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983, 1985, and 1986, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The court found no reversible error in the dismissal for failure to state a claim.

Beltway Paving Company v. Pruco Life Insurance Company - Insurance Beneficiary Dispute

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court's decision in an unpublished opinion regarding a dispute over a $1 million life insurance policy beneficiary. The court found that the policy owner's business associate, not the business itself, was the rightful beneficiary as designated.

US v. Connie Jamerson - Criminal Contempt Affirmed

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's judgment finding Connie Jamerson guilty of indirect criminal contempt for failing to ensure her son surrendered to serve a prison sentence. The court rejected her appeal, upholding the contempt finding and the underlying judgment.

L.M. v. Jonathan Graham - Malicious Prosecution Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of a malicious prosecution claim brought by a minor, L.M., against Detective Jonathan Graham. The court found that L.M. failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted, upholding the lower court's decision.