Georgia Supreme Court Opinions Published March 3, 2026

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's denial of a habeas corpus petition filed by Exzavious Gibson, challenging his 1990 murder and armed robbery convictions. The court found no actual conflict of interest that adversely affected his trial counsel's performance, despite a disclosure issue.

Senior v. The State - Appeal of Malice Murder Conviction

Oscar Senior is appealing his 2013 malice murder conviction from a 2012 shooting. The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the conviction, finding that any deficient performance by his trial counsel in failing to impeach witnesses with prior felony convictions did not prejudice Senior. The appeal was granted out-of-time due to ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to file a timely notice of appeal.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Information Security Audit FY 2025

The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General has released an audit report on the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Information Security Management Program for Fiscal Year 2025. The report, dated March 3, 2026, identifies 5 recommendations for improvement.

DOJ Audit of BOP Security Controls and Network FY2025

The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General has released an audit report on the Federal Bureau of Prisons' security controls and network (BOPNet) for Fiscal Year 2025. The report, dated March 3, 2026, was conducted pursuant to the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014.

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.

Fourth Circuit Affirms Ruling in Hoffman v. INOVA Health Care

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of claims brought by two CRNAs against Inova Health Care Services and North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA). The plaintiffs alleged discrimination and joint employer status after their clinical privileges were suspended and employment terminated due to refusal of COVID-19 vaccinations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

US v. Raoul Lafond - Affirmation of District Court Order

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to construe Raoul Lafond's motion for relief from judgment as an unauthorized, successive motion to vacate a sentence. The court denied Lafond's request to file a second or successive motion.

Emmanuel King Shaw v. Byron Watson - Appeal of Dismissed Motion

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a motion for relief from judgment as an unauthorized successive petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The court denied authorization for a successive petition, citing lack of prefiling authorization.

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.

US v. Okechukwu Dimkpa - Affirmation of Conviction

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's denial of a physician's motion to vacate his conviction for unlawfully distributing oxycodone. The court found that the defendant procedurally defaulted his claim, which was based on a subsequent Supreme Court ruling regarding the mens rea requirement for such offenses, and did not demonstrate sufficient cause to overcome this default.

Christopher Martin v. Joseph Walters - Appeal Dismissal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Christopher James Martin's appeal of a district court's order. The court denied Martin's request for a certificate of appealability, finding he did not make the requisite showing of a denial of a constitutional right.

Eric Exum v. Lieutenant Donna - Civil Action Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a civil action filed by inmate Eric Ricardo Exum. The court found that Exum forfeited appellate review by failing to challenge the district court's ruling in his informal brief.

McKeever v. State of North Carolina - Appeal Dismissed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal filed by William N. McKeever, a North Carolina inmate, due to a late filing of the notice of appeal. The court found that the appeal period expired before McKeever filed his notice, thus lacking jurisdiction.

US v. Tito Knox - Appeal from South Carolina District Court Affirmed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision denying Tito Knox's motion to terminate conditional release and supervision. The court found that Knox forfeited appellate review by not challenging the district court's disposition in his informal brief.

Ward v. United States - Appeal of Compassionate Release Denial

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of David Clarence Ward's motion for compassionate release. The court found no abuse of discretion in denying the motion, which cited extraordinary and compelling reasons and considered sentencing factors.

Ralston v. Clarke - Civil Rights Appeal

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's dismissal of a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil action filed by a Virginia inmate. The court found no abuse of discretion in the denial of the inmate's motion for appointment of counsel or in delaying discovery rulings pending a motion to dismiss. The inmate forfeited appellate review by not challenging the district court's disposition in his informal brief.

Bullock v. Hamby - Civil Rights Appeal

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a prisoner's civil rights lawsuit for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. The unpublished opinion clarifies that such decisions, while not binding precedent, uphold the procedural requirements for inmate litigation.

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. Randall Keystone - Compassionate Release Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision denying Randall J. Keystone's motion for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A). The court found no reversible error in the lower court's ruling.

Bowens v. Rokosky - Prisoner Sentence Challenge Dismissal Affirmed

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a federal prisoner's petition challenging his sentence execution. The court found the prisoner failed to exhaust administrative remedies and that his claim was not yet ripe.

William Custis v. Exmore Police Department - Civil Rights Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a civil rights action filed by William Parke Custis against the Exmore Police Department and other defendants. The dismissal was based on the plaintiff's failure to comply with court orders to submit a particularized complaint.

Custis v. Accomack County Sheriff's Office - Civil Rights Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's decision to dismiss a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action. The dismissal was based on the plaintiff's failure to comply with the court's order to file a particularized complaint. The court found no reversible error in the district court's ruling.

Courtney Boyd v. United States - Compassionate Release Appeal Denied

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of Courtney Omar Boyd's motion for compassionate release. The court found no abuse of discretion in the district court's determination that Boyd failed to demonstrate extraordinary and compelling reasons for release.

Brandon Thompson Appeal Dismissed by Fourth Circuit

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Brandon J. Thompson's appeal of a district court order denying his motion for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The court found that Thompson failed to make the requisite showing for a certificate of appealability, thus denying the appeal.

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.

US v. Lloyd Royal III - Compassionate Release Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's denial of Lloyd Mack Royal III's motion for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A). The court found no reversible error in the lower court's decision. This unpublished opinion does not constitute binding precedent.

US v. Daron Wright - Affirmation of Supervised Release Revocation

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's decision to revoke Daron Wright's supervised release, imposing a 10-month prison term and an 18-month supervised release term. The court found no meritorious grounds for appeal regarding the reasonableness of the sentence or ineffective assistance of counsel.

Cooper v. City of Wheeling - Malicious Prosecution Claim

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded a malicious prosecution claim. The court found that the appellant's claim was not time-barred under the two-year statute of limitations but affirmed the dismissal of the claim against the City of Wheeling due to lack of municipal policy or custom allegations.

Beckford v. Elevance Health, Inc. - Employment Discrimination Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded a district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Elevance Health, Inc. The court found that the district court erred in its assessment of the prima facie case for employment discrimination, potentially shifting the burden of proof prematurely. The case involves claims of race discrimination under Title VII and other statutes.

Barricks v. Wright - Excessive Force Appeal Affirmed

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's decision denying qualified immunity to a sheriff's deputy accused of excessive force. The court found that disputed facts regarding the force used during an arrest necessitate a trial, affirming the appeal denial.

Stephanie Reddin v. Kristi Noem - Employment Discrimination Appeal

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a former Federal Air Marshal's discrimination lawsuit against the TSA. The court found the plaintiff failed to adequately plead she was a qualified individual capable of performing essential job functions, and that the TSA had provided reasonable accommodations.

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.

United States v. Brian K. Griffey - Affirmation of Conviction

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Brian K. Griffey for violating supervised release terms. The court found the 24-month sentence imposed by the district court to be reasonable and not plainly unreasonable.

US v. Rashaun Taylor - Affirmance of conviction in part, dismissal in part

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in part and dismissed in part the appeal of Rashaun Antonio Taylor. The court vacated Taylor's conviction on Count 3 (use of a firearm during a RICO conspiracy) and its attendant sentence, but otherwise affirmed the district court's denial of his motion for relief.

US v. Antionne Cherry - Sentencing Appeal

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the sentence of Antionne Cherry, who appealed his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court found that any error in calculating Cherry's sentencing guidelines range was harmless.

FDA Warning Letter to Kare Solutions LLC dba Zappy

The FDA issued a warning letter to Kare Solutions LLC dba Zappy for misbranding compounded drug products, including semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide. The agency found that Zappy's website made false or misleading claims about these products, suggesting they were FDA-approved or compounded by Zappy when they were not.

FDA Warning Letter to Strut Health, LLC

The FDA issued a warning letter to Strut Health, LLC on February 20, 2026, for misbranding compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products. The company's website allegedly made false or misleading claims about these drugs, violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

FDA Warning Letter to GenoGenix LLC

The FDA issued a warning letter to GenoGenix LLC for serious deficiencies in drug production practices, including failures to meet conditions for outsourcing facilities and insanitary conditions. The company has ceased production and initiated a voluntary recall of drug products.

FDA Warning Letter to Beta Bionics, Inc.

The FDA issued a warning letter to Beta Bionics, Inc. regarding violations of the Quality System Regulation for their iLet Dosing Decision Software and iLet ACE Pump. The letter details failures in corrective and preventive action procedures, including inadequate analysis of complaints leading to serious adverse health outcomes.

FDA Warning Letter to Diasol, Inc. for Medical Device Violations

The FDA issued a warning letter to Diasol, Inc. for manufacturing unapproved and misbranded medical devices, specifically disinfectants for hemodialysis systems. The company also violated Quality System Regulation requirements. The FDA has requested corrective actions to ensure compliance.

FDA Warning Letter to Yuyao City Boss Vegetable Factory

The FDA issued a warning letter to Yuyao City Boss Vegetable Factory Co. Ltd. for serious violations of food safety regulations, including failure to maintain processing records and fabrication of data. The violations relate to acidified foods intended for export to the United States.

FDA Warning Letter to John Yoder Farm

The FDA issued a warning letter to John Yoder Farm for serious violations of the Shell Egg Regulation (21 CFR Part 118) and the FD&C Act. The farm failed to implement a written Salmonella Enteritidis Prevention Plan and had other insanitary conditions. The FDA is concerned about the compliance status and potential health risks.

FDA Warning Letter to The Father's Table, LLC

The FDA issued a warning letter to The Father's Table, LLC, for serious violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls for Human Food regulations. The inspection found Listeria monocytogenes in the facility, rendering ready-to-eat food products adulterated.

FDA Warning Letter to Black Sheep Egg Company

The FDA issued a warning letter to Black Sheep Egg Company, LLC, following an inspection that detected Salmonella in environmental samples from their shell egg processing facility. The company is cited for insanitary conditions and violations of the Shell Egg regulation, rendering their products adulterated.

FDA Warning Letter to Supercan Bully Sticks LLC

The FDA issued a warning letter to Supercan Bully Sticks LLC on September 24, 2025, following inspections that revealed serious violations of the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) and Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. These violations were identified after a voluntary recall of pet treats due to Salmonella contamination.