United States v. Barrera — 10th Cir. (Sep 17, 2026)

No. 25-8049 Argued September 17, 2026 Published September 19, 2026

The Tenth Circuit hears United States v. Barrera. Investigators were tracking Joseph Barrera during a methamphetamine-distribution investigation. On December 13, 2024, after an acquaintance took a Volvo that Barrera had paid for, Barrera's group recovered it while carrying a baseball bat and baton. Five days later, agents followed the Volvo as Barrera returned from Colorado with methamphetamine. He fled an attempted traffic stop, crashed the car, and ran. Police later recovered the same bat and baton from the Volvo. After a guilty plea and sentencing hearing, Barrera appealed. The judge had increased his offense level by two under Guideline 2D1.1(b)(1). That rule applies when a dangerous weapon was possessed, unless its connection to the offense was clearly improbable. Barrera says the bat and baton came from a separate car dispute. The appeal asks whether the judge properly applied the enhancement.

United States v. Barrera (No. 25-8049) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, argued September 17, 2026.

Sources

Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/sites/ca10/files/oralarguments/25-8049.mp3

Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit:https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/oralargument/search-results?field_oa_hearing_date_value%5Bmin%5D%5Bdate%5D=09%2F17%2F2026&field_oa_hearing_date_value%5Bmax%5D%5Bdate%5D=09%2F19%2F2026

0:00Introduction