Well, we finally got an MDLEA case to summarize! Unfortunately, it’s probably one of the shortest decisions from the 11th Circuit that I’ve seen. But since we haven’t had a post in a while, I’ll summarize it anyway. The case is U.S. v. Jimenez Marin, No. 24-10445, 2025 WL 1740834 (11th Cir. June 24, 2025)….
Category: Felonies Clause
Florida Court Rules that MDLEA Can Snare Drug Traffickers Who Never Set Sail
On 24 October 2024, Middle District of Florida’s Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle held that Congress may punish maritime drug trafficking conspirators even if they are never on the high seas in U.S. v. Montero-Monsavlo, No. 8:21-CR-377-KKM-AEP, 2024 WL 4534222 (M.D. Fla. Oct. 21, 2024). On 27 August 2019, CG LEDET aboard a Dutch vessel encountered…
Unpacking the First Circuit’s Ruling in United States v. Dávila-Reyes: MDLEA Challenges, International Law, and Constitutional Considerations
Apologies for the hiatus, MDLEA fans! Life’s been a whirlwind lately with work commitments, the holidays, and other adventures keeping me on my toes. But here I am, back and ready to dive into a few MDLEA cases. Also, happy new year to all of you—may it bring joy, success, and countless opportunities your way!…
Judge Besosa in the District of Puerto Rico issues two decisions concerning the Constitutionality of the MDLEA
Judge Besosa in the District of Puerto Rico issued two recent decisions that address, among other things, arguments against the Constitutionality of the MDLEA: (1) U.S. v. Hernandez-Gamboa, No. CR 21-323 (FAB), 2023 WL 5199393 (D.P.R. Aug. 14, 2023); and (2) U.S. v. Martinez-Felipe, et al., No. CR 20-359 (FAB), 2023 WL 5290124 (D.P.R. Aug….
Second Circuit rules that the MDLEA does not require a nexus for stateless vessels and that Congress did not exceed its authority under Article I of the Constitution in enacting the MDLEA
It’s been about four months since we’ve seen a circuit court decision concerning the MDLEA. Well, the wait is over. The Second Circuit recently had to address the Constitutionality of prosecuting co-conspirators for their land-based activities under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA) in United States v. Antonius, No. 21-1083, 2023 WL 4410951 (2d…