4th Circuit Daily Opinions

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.

US v. Kofi Orleans-Lindsay - Affirmance and Dismissal of Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part and dismissed in part the appeal of Kofi Orleans-Lindsay. The court found that Orleans-Lindsay knowingly waived his appellate rights as part of his plea agreement, and his challenge to his sentence fell within the scope of that waiver. The unpublished opinion was decided on February 27, 2026.

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The Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court's decision in an unpublished opinion regarding a dispute over a $1 million life insurance policy beneficiary.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. Charles Scott - Criminal Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part and dismissed in part the appeal of Charles Edward Scott. The court found no breach of the plea agreement by the government and affirmed the district court's sentence of 156 months.

US v. Todd Giffen - Civil Commitment Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed in part and affirmed in part a lower court's order concerning Todd Michael Giffen's civil commitment. The court found it lacked jurisdiction over the denial of a motion to substitute counsel but affirmed the denial of a discharge hearing, upholding the civil commitment.

US v. David Minkkinen - Intellectual Property Theft and Fraud Case

The Fourth Circuit reversed and remanded a district court's decision that dismissed ten counts against David Minkkinen and Sivaraman Sambasivam. The appellate court found that the government's preindictment delay was not a violation of due process, allowing prosecution on all fourteen counts related to alleged intellectual property theft and fraud.

Massey v. CBRE, Inc. - Appeal Affirmation

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision to dismiss Arthur Massey's complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The appellate court found that the appellant forfeited appellate review by not challenging the basis of the district court's disposition in his informal brief. The court denied motions and affirmed the judgment.

Mosisa v. Perry - Affirmal of Civil Action Dismissal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's dismissal of Feven Mosisa's civil action without prejudice due to a lack of personal jurisdiction. The unpublished per curiam opinion found no reversible error in the lower court's decision.

Metz v. McCarthy - Affirmation of District Court Ruling

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's ruling in Metz v. McCarthy, dismissing the plaintiff's negligence claim related to a slip and fall injury. The court confirmed its jurisdiction after a stipulated dismissal of a breach of contract claim to allow for appeal.