4th Circuit Daily Opinions

Public Admonishment for Eric Chibueze Nwaubani

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a public admonishment to attorney Eric Chibueze Nwaubani for violating Local Rule 46(g)(1)(c). The disciplinary action stems from Nwaubani's submission of briefs containing citations to nonexistent judicial opinions, potentially generated by AI.

Terrance Reeves v. Pete Hegseth - Employment Discrimination Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part, vacated in part, and remanded a district court decision in Terrance Reeves v. Pete Hegseth. The court affirmed the dismissal of race discrimination and hostile work environment claims but vacated the summary judgment on the retaliation claim, remanding it for further proceedings.

Anderson v. Crouch - Reversed and Remanded

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the case of Shauntae Anderson v. William Crouch. The court's published opinion addressed issues related to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the Bureau for Medical Services. The specific details of the reversal and remand are outlined in the opinion.

Cin Dale 3 v. Peoples Bank Corp - Affirmation of Dismissal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a suit brought by Cin Dale 3 against Peoples Bank Corp. The court held that the bank acted appropriately by complying with a court order to turn over funds from a depositor's account to satisfy a judgment. This ruling reinforces the ministerial role of banks in judgment enforcement.

US v. John McLaurin - Criminal Case Vacated and Remanded

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded the criminal case of US v. John McLaurin. The court found that discretionary supervised release conditions not orally pronounced at sentencing are nullities, impacting the revocation judgment. The case is remanded for resentencing.

Cedar Coal Company v. Director, DOWCP - Black Lung Benefits Decision

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Cedar Coal Company's petition to review an order awarding black lung benefits to the estate of Roger L. Mullins. The court found that the Administrative Law Judge's decision was supported by substantial evidence and that the claimant presented sufficient evidence within regulatory limitations.

US v. Manger Blackmon - Criminal Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Manger Blackmon for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court found that any error in not having a jury determine the 'occasions' for prior violent felonies was harmless, upholding the mandatory minimum sentence.

US v. Jose Duran Garcia - Appeal Affirmed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's denial of Jose Duran Garcia's motion to suppress evidence. The court found that the search of the bus luggage compartment, based on a drug dog's alert, was lawful. Duran Garcia had pleaded guilty after his motion to suppress was denied.

Fredis Ortez Reyes v. USCIS - Immigration Jurisdiction

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and remanded a district court's decision, holding that courts do have jurisdiction to review immigration judge decisions based solely on statutory interpretation. The case involves a denial of a derivative asylee status petition based on a prior removal order.

United States v. Sergio Carrillo Murillo - Affirmation of Conviction

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Sergio Carrillo Murillo in a published opinion. This decision is the second appeal in his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 proceedings, addressing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel related to his guilty plea and potential deportation.