Case Explained: Non-Argument Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. HARLAN DECOSTE

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Filed: 2026-07-28 Docket: 0:15-cr-60172-WPD-1 The eleventh-circuit summarily affirmed the district court’s denial of Harlan Decoste’s motion for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A). The court applied an abuse of discretion standard of review and held that the government was clearly right as a matter of law because the district court did not err by considering the sentencing factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) before determining whether extraordinary and compelling reasons existed for release, as courts may evaluate these three statutory prongs in any order. The appellate court found that the district court adequately explained its decision by weighing the § 3553(a) factors, specifically noting Decoste’s role as the leader of a “fraud factory,” his prior criminal history including armed robbery convictions, and the need to promote respect for the law and provide adequate deterrence. Because the district court found that one of the required elements for relief was not met, the denial of the motion was proper. The practical consequence is that Decoste’s sentence remains unchanged and he continues to serve his term of imprisonment. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.