USA v. Javan Thompson — 7th Cir. (Sep 17, 2026)
The Seventh Circuit hears Javan Thompson's appeal. He had earlier felony convictions and was later convicted of possessing a gun despite that record. Federal law generally bars firearm possession after certain prior convictions. The Seventh Circuit recently upheld that ban for a past drug-trafficking felony, but left open whether a non-dangerous prior felony would be different. The judges now face that unresolved question in Thompson's case, along with whether to assess only the earlier convictions or his broader record.
USA v. Javan Thompson (No. 24-2904) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, argued September 17, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/external/nv.24-2904.24-2904_09_17_2026.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/oralArguments/oar.jsp?amonth=09%2F2026&aMonth=List+case%28s%29
Sentencing account — U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois:https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/kankakee-man-sentenced-ten-years-prison-attempting-use-mail-obtain-fentanyl
Appellate docket — Justia (PACER-derived):https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca7/24-2904
18 U.S.C. § 922 — U.S. Code:https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=%28title%3A18+section%3A922+edition%3Aprelim)
United States v. Watson — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/OpinionsWeb/processWebInputExternal.pl?Path=Y2026%2FD04-02%2FC%3A24-2432%3AJ%3ABrennan%3Aaut%3AT%3AfnOp%3AN%3A3516557%3AS%3A0&Submit=Display
United States v. Prince — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/OpinionsWeb/processWebInputExternal.pl?Path=Y2026%2FD04-02%2FC%3A23-3155%3AJ%3AEasterbrook%3Aaut%3AT%3AfnOp%3AN%3A3516563%3AS%3A0&Submit=Display
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