Erik Uebelacker
@uebey.bsky.social
NYC Courts Reporter for Courthouse News
📍Brooklyn, NY
Recovering cagefighting enjoyer
https://www.courthousenews.com/author/erik-uebelacker/
📍Brooklyn, NY
Recovering cagefighting enjoyer
https://www.courthousenews.com/author/erik-uebelacker/
A federal judge just slammed the government for "sending threatening letters on a Saturday night" demanding states "undo" SNAP payments.
"It's hard to see how this is not being used as a leverage point," the judge said. "People are hungry right now."
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
"It's hard to see how this is not being used as a leverage point," the judge said. "People are hungry right now."
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A federal judge just slammed the government for "sending threatening letters on a Saturday night" demanding states "undo" SNAP payments.
"It's hard to see how this is not being used as a leverage point," the judge said. "People are hungry right now."
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
"It's hard to see how this is not being used as a leverage point," the judge said. "People are hungry right now."
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Reposted by Erik Uebelacker
“Why, then, would Congress have thought it necessary to specifically add a provision making those noncitizens subject to mandatory detention if they are charged with certain crimes?” wrote Liman, a Trump appointee in the Southern District of New York. “The government has no answer.”
NEW: Judges around the country are citing an unexpected source to free ICE detainees:
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
How the Laken Riley Act is working against ICE to free some noncitizens
Judges around the country are citing the GOP-backed immigration law, designed to detain more noncitizens, to free them instead.
www.courthousenews.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:05 AM
“Why, then, would Congress have thought it necessary to specifically add a provision making those noncitizens subject to mandatory detention if they are charged with certain crimes?” wrote Liman, a Trump appointee in the Southern District of New York. “The government has no answer.”
NEW: Judges around the country are citing an unexpected source to free ICE detainees:
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
How the Laken Riley Act is working against ICE to free some noncitizens
Judges around the country are citing the GOP-backed immigration law, designed to detain more noncitizens, to free them instead.
www.courthousenews.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:44 PM
NEW: Judges around the country are citing an unexpected source to free ICE detainees:
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
“Lawless behavior” — A federal judge had strong words for the Trump administration, which tried to demand states’ ICE compliance to receive transit funding.
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www.courthousenews.com/judge-slams-...
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
www.courthousenews.com/judge-slams-...
Judge slams feds for tying transit funds to ICE compliance
The Trump administration has made several efforts to withhold federal funding from so-called sanctuary states and cities.
www.courthousenews.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:08 AM
“Lawless behavior” — A federal judge had strong words for the Trump administration, which tried to demand states’ ICE compliance to receive transit funding.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
www.courthousenews.com/judge-slams-...
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
www.courthousenews.com/judge-slams-...
Last month, ICE injured a photographer when they shoved a reporter out of an elevator at 26 Federal Plaza.
I wrote about the woman in the elevator, a 20 y/o asylum seeker from Peru, who's been jailed in Louisiana 1000 miles away from her family ever since.
@courthousenews.bsky.social 🔗⬇️
I wrote about the woman in the elevator, a 20 y/o asylum seeker from Peru, who's been jailed in Louisiana 1000 miles away from her family ever since.
@courthousenews.bsky.social 🔗⬇️
Her ICE arrest went viral — now she’s in a ‘race against time’ fighting deportation
A month after her violent ICE arrest left a journalist hospitalized, a 20-year-old asylum-seeker is jailed a thousand miles away from her home in New York City.
www.courthousenews.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Last month, ICE injured a photographer when they shoved a reporter out of an elevator at 26 Federal Plaza.
I wrote about the woman in the elevator, a 20 y/o asylum seeker from Peru, who's been jailed in Louisiana 1000 miles away from her family ever since.
@courthousenews.bsky.social 🔗⬇️
I wrote about the woman in the elevator, a 20 y/o asylum seeker from Peru, who's been jailed in Louisiana 1000 miles away from her family ever since.
@courthousenews.bsky.social 🔗⬇️
New: NY Republicans challenge the state's new even-year election law, this time in federal court 😲
Representing the GOP plaintiffs is the New York-based Brewer firm, which famously defended the NRA in its yearslong corruption case.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Representing the GOP plaintiffs is the New York-based Brewer firm, which famously defended the NRA in its yearslong corruption case.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 9:24 PM
New: NY Republicans challenge the state's new even-year election law, this time in federal court 😲
Representing the GOP plaintiffs is the New York-based Brewer firm, which famously defended the NRA in its yearslong corruption case.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Representing the GOP plaintiffs is the New York-based Brewer firm, which famously defended the NRA in its yearslong corruption case.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
New: The two Russian mobsters convicted for trying to kill Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad each get 25-year prison sentences.
“Justice is beautiful,” says Alinejad.
“Justice is beautiful,” says Alinejad.
October 29, 2025 at 5:39 PM
New: The two Russian mobsters convicted for trying to kill Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad each get 25-year prison sentences.
“Justice is beautiful,” says Alinejad.
“Justice is beautiful,” says Alinejad.
Reposted by Erik Uebelacker
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
As expected, Drake is appealing the dismissal of his lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 2:31 PM
As expected, Drake is appealing the dismissal of his lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us."
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Feds announcing two indictments against Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups and ~30 others.
Apparently, Billups played in rigged mafia-backed poker games that used "sophisticated cheating tech" like X-ray tables and shuffling machines with hidden cameras inside.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Apparently, Billups played in rigged mafia-backed poker games that used "sophisticated cheating tech" like X-ray tables and shuffling machines with hidden cameras inside.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Feds announcing two indictments against Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups and ~30 others.
Apparently, Billups played in rigged mafia-backed poker games that used "sophisticated cheating tech" like X-ray tables and shuffling machines with hidden cameras inside.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Apparently, Billups played in rigged mafia-backed poker games that used "sophisticated cheating tech" like X-ray tables and shuffling machines with hidden cameras inside.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
New: The Third Circuit just hounded the Trump administration for its bid to re-jail Mahmoud Khalil.
A Trump-appointed judge was particularly critical, asking whether the government tried to create a “black hole of no jurisdiction.”
More @courthousenews.bsky.social
A Trump-appointed judge was particularly critical, asking whether the government tried to create a “black hole of no jurisdiction.”
More @courthousenews.bsky.social
Third Circuit hounds DOJ over bid to re-jail Mahmoud Khalil
The government argues the pro-Palestinian activist challenged his arrest in the wrong jurisdiction. But an appeals judge said Khalil “had to prepare for the worst.”
www.courthousenews.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
New: The Third Circuit just hounded the Trump administration for its bid to re-jail Mahmoud Khalil.
A Trump-appointed judge was particularly critical, asking whether the government tried to create a “black hole of no jurisdiction.”
More @courthousenews.bsky.social
A Trump-appointed judge was particularly critical, asking whether the government tried to create a “black hole of no jurisdiction.”
More @courthousenews.bsky.social
New: A DOJ lawyer claimed Alina Habba's appointment was "consistent with longstanding practice."
But a Third Circuit judge asked him to name another time a U.S. attorney was seated this way.
"Well, I guess I cannot," the lawyer said.
But a Third Circuit judge asked him to name another time a U.S. attorney was seated this way.
"Well, I guess I cannot," the lawyer said.
DOJ defends Alina Habba’s unusual appointment before skeptical Third Circuit
Government attorneys tried to defend Habba’s appointment as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, which a lower court deemed unlawful in August.
www.courthousenews.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
New: A DOJ lawyer claimed Alina Habba's appointment was "consistent with longstanding practice."
But a Third Circuit judge asked him to name another time a U.S. attorney was seated this way.
"Well, I guess I cannot," the lawyer said.
But a Third Circuit judge asked him to name another time a U.S. attorney was seated this way.
"Well, I guess I cannot," the lawyer said.
Update: Luigi Mangione’s defense team claims the White House and DOJ are politicizing the case by painting LM as a “left-wing violent extremist.”
They cite reports suggesting lobbying efforts from UnitedHealthcare directly.
(This is in response to the pretrial statement stuff.)
They cite reports suggesting lobbying efforts from UnitedHealthcare directly.
(This is in response to the pretrial statement stuff.)
October 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Update: Luigi Mangione’s defense team claims the White House and DOJ are politicizing the case by painting LM as a “left-wing violent extremist.”
They cite reports suggesting lobbying efforts from UnitedHealthcare directly.
(This is in response to the pretrial statement stuff.)
They cite reports suggesting lobbying efforts from UnitedHealthcare directly.
(This is in response to the pretrial statement stuff.)
Breaking: A federal court just lifted travel restrictions on Mahmoud Khalil.
He can now move freely throughout the United States as he awaits removal proceedings, but does need to notify ICE 48 hours prior to his travel.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
He can now move freely throughout the United States as he awaits removal proceedings, but does need to notify ICE 48 hours prior to his travel.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Breaking: A federal court just lifted travel restrictions on Mahmoud Khalil.
He can now move freely throughout the United States as he awaits removal proceedings, but does need to notify ICE 48 hours prior to his travel.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
He can now move freely throughout the United States as he awaits removal proceedings, but does need to notify ICE 48 hours prior to his travel.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
LUIGI: Mangione’s criminal case in Pennsylvania is now effectively on pause.
With the Feds not allowing him to be brought in-person, and Mangione declining to appear virtually, the judge says it is “impossible” to conduct substantive hearings right now.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
With the Feds not allowing him to be brought in-person, and Mangione declining to appear virtually, the judge says it is “impossible” to conduct substantive hearings right now.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 2:39 PM
LUIGI: Mangione’s criminal case in Pennsylvania is now effectively on pause.
With the Feds not allowing him to be brought in-person, and Mangione declining to appear virtually, the judge says it is “impossible” to conduct substantive hearings right now.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
With the Feds not allowing him to be brought in-person, and Mangione declining to appear virtually, the judge says it is “impossible” to conduct substantive hearings right now.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
LUIGI: Mangione’s federal motion to dismiss is in.
The defense argues that the stalking charges aren’t “crimes of violence” that back up for the murder and gun charges.
They also move to suppress the backpack evidence — similar to their arguments in the state case.
The defense argues that the stalking charges aren’t “crimes of violence” that back up for the murder and gun charges.
They also move to suppress the backpack evidence — similar to their arguments in the state case.
October 11, 2025 at 6:16 AM
LUIGI: Mangione’s federal motion to dismiss is in.
The defense argues that the stalking charges aren’t “crimes of violence” that back up for the murder and gun charges.
They also move to suppress the backpack evidence — similar to their arguments in the state case.
The defense argues that the stalking charges aren’t “crimes of violence” that back up for the murder and gun charges.
They also move to suppress the backpack evidence — similar to their arguments in the state case.
New: The DOJ is kneecapping its case against Luigi Mangione with its social media habits, former prosecutors tell me.
"From my perspective as a defense lawyer, I find this level of obdurate incompetence to be delightful," says famed NYC lawyer Rob Kuby.
"From my perspective as a defense lawyer, I find this level of obdurate incompetence to be delightful," says famed NYC lawyer Rob Kuby.
Legal experts say Trump DOJ tweets make life harder for prosecutors
Social media posts from Justice Department officials have already drawn the ire of Luigi Mangione’s federal judge.
www.courthousenews.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM
New: The DOJ is kneecapping its case against Luigi Mangione with its social media habits, former prosecutors tell me.
"From my perspective as a defense lawyer, I find this level of obdurate incompetence to be delightful," says famed NYC lawyer Rob Kuby.
"From my perspective as a defense lawyer, I find this level of obdurate incompetence to be delightful," says famed NYC lawyer Rob Kuby.
NEW: Drake loses his defamation case against Kendrick Lamar over the “Not Like Us” lyrics.
More coming @courthousenews.bsky.social
More coming @courthousenews.bsky.social
October 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
NEW: Drake loses his defamation case against Kendrick Lamar over the “Not Like Us” lyrics.
More coming @courthousenews.bsky.social
More coming @courthousenews.bsky.social
LUIGI: Prosecutors respond to Mangione’s federal judge, who scrutinized public statements from DOJ officials as being potentially prejudicial.
October 8, 2025 at 11:50 PM
LUIGI: Prosecutors respond to Mangione’s federal judge, who scrutinized public statements from DOJ officials as being potentially prejudicial.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' lawyer Brian Steel just said Combs was nearly shanked in prison.
"The guards stopped a person who was armed with a shank who was on top of Sean and about to cut him."
"The guards stopped a person who was armed with a shank who was on top of Sean and about to cut him."
October 3, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Sean "Diddy" Combs' lawyer Brian Steel just said Combs was nearly shanked in prison.
"The guards stopped a person who was armed with a shank who was on top of Sean and about to cut him."
"The guards stopped a person who was armed with a shank who was on top of Sean and about to cut him."
LUIGI: The DOJ wants more time to respond to their potential violations to pretrial publicity rules in Mangione's federal case.
The judge wanted a reply by today. Prosecutors ask for Wednesday.
The judge wanted a reply by today. Prosecutors ask for Wednesday.
October 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
LUIGI: The DOJ wants more time to respond to their potential violations to pretrial publicity rules in Mangione's federal case.
The judge wanted a reply by today. Prosecutors ask for Wednesday.
The judge wanted a reply by today. Prosecutors ask for Wednesday.
Sean "Diddy" Combs will likely get between 5 and 7 years in prison:
The judge just revealed that his offense level and criminal history "yields an advisory guidelines range of 70-87 months in incarceration."
The judge just revealed that his offense level and criminal history "yields an advisory guidelines range of 70-87 months in incarceration."
October 3, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Sean "Diddy" Combs will likely get between 5 and 7 years in prison:
The judge just revealed that his offense level and criminal history "yields an advisory guidelines range of 70-87 months in incarceration."
The judge just revealed that his offense level and criminal history "yields an advisory guidelines range of 70-87 months in incarceration."
Diddy can wear non-prison clothes to his sentencing Friday:
September 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Diddy can wear non-prison clothes to his sentencing Friday:
NEW: In a scathing 161-page order, a judge finds Kristi Noem + Marco Rubio knowingly conspired to chill free speech by trying to deport pro-Palestine students.
He likens ICE's masking to the KKK:
"ICE goes masked for a single reason -- to terrorize Americans into quiescence."
He likens ICE's masking to the KKK:
"ICE goes masked for a single reason -- to terrorize Americans into quiescence."
September 30, 2025 at 5:13 PM
NEW: In a scathing 161-page order, a judge finds Kristi Noem + Marco Rubio knowingly conspired to chill free speech by trying to deport pro-Palestine students.
He likens ICE's masking to the KKK:
"ICE goes masked for a single reason -- to terrorize Americans into quiescence."
He likens ICE's masking to the KKK:
"ICE goes masked for a single reason -- to terrorize Americans into quiescence."
“If there is one thing I have learned from this experience, it is that victims and survivors will never be safe.”
Cassie Ventura writes to a federal judge in support of the feds’ 11-year sentence recommendation for Diddy.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Cassie Ventura writes to a federal judge in support of the feds’ 11-year sentence recommendation for Diddy.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM
“If there is one thing I have learned from this experience, it is that victims and survivors will never be safe.”
Cassie Ventura writes to a federal judge in support of the feds’ 11-year sentence recommendation for Diddy.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Cassie Ventura writes to a federal judge in support of the feds’ 11-year sentence recommendation for Diddy.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social