Supreme Court of the United States · Official docket →
Alante Martel Nelson v. United States
IFP petition · United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, No. 22-4658 · judgment August 15, 2025
Questions presented
-
To determine a controlled substance offense under USSG § 4B1.2(b) using the categorical approach, do courts compare the elements of the prior conviction to substances that were controlled on the date of the prior conviction, or to the substances controlled on the date of federal sentencing?
-
Does the undefined term “controlled substance” in USSG § 4B1.2(b) take its ordinary meaning, or the statutory definition in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 802(6)?
-
Does the undefined term “distribution” in USSG § 4B1.2(b) take its ordinary meaning, or the statutory definition in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 802(8), 802(11)?
Counsel of record
For petitioner
Jenny Thoma
Federal Public Defender Office, NDWV
For respondent
D. John Sauer
Solicitor General
Proceedings
- Jun 15 2026Petition DENIED.
- May 27 2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/11/2026.
- May 04 2026Reply of petitioner Alante Martel Nelson filed.
- Apr 16 2026Brief of respondent United States in opposition filed.
- Mar 17 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including April 20, 2026.
- Mar 13 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response from March 19, 2026 to April 20, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
- Feb 17 2026Response Requested. (Due March 19, 2026)
- Feb 05 2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
- Feb 02 2026Supplemental brief of petitioner Alante Nelson filed. (Distributed)
- Jan 27 2026Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
- Jan 13 2026Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due February 19, 2026)
- Dec 05 2025Application (25A660) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until January 13, 2026.
- Nov 25 2025Application (25A660) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from December 14, 2025 to January 13, 2026, submitted to The Chief Justice.