Jaqwon Davonte Lupe v. United States

Jaqwon Davonte Lupe asks the Supreme Court to review whether federal assault law applied to an incident at a private residence on an Indian reservation. He argues his guilty plea rested on a mistaken view that any assault in Indian country was covered, while the Ninth Circuit found his plea valid and did not treat his innocence claim as an exception to his appeal waiver.

The case is pending, and oral argument has not been scheduled. Lupe argues that the statutes required the assault to occur within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, a category of places where federal criminal law applies, not simply anywhere in Indian country.

The case could affect people charged with federal crimes for conduct on reservations, including someone who pleaded guilty based on where an incident occurred. It also could clarify when an appeal waiver can be challenged by a person claiming the charged conduct was not a federal crime.

The Court may act on Lupe's petition for certiorari, meaning its decision whether to hear the case. If it agrees to review the case, it could schedule briefing and oral argument; no decision window is set.

The case asks whether an assault in Indian country automatically falls under the federal statutes used to convict Lupe. It also concerns whether his appeal waiver blocks his innocence claim.

People charged with federal crimes for conduct on reservations could be affected. The case may clarify which locations fall within federal criminal jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the case. Oral argument has not been scheduled, and no decision timing has been set.