May 29, 2013 - Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Ordered Resentencing by a New Judge and Specific Performance of Plea Agreement

May 29, 2013, the federal Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted relief to Mr. Kent's client, Bryan Adrain Copeland, in an unpublished 12 page opinion.  Mr. Copeland had pled guilty to charges arising out of a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $5,000,000.  The money has not been recovered.  In its opinion, per curiam by Judges Carnes, Barkett and Hull, the Court found that the Government breached its plea agreement with Mr. Copeland and ordered resentencing, mandating specific performance of the plea agreement, and further ordering that the resentencing be conducted by a new judge.  A copy of the slip opinion can be found here.