Case Results
State Court Results
Commonwealth of Virginia v. Johnson
In 2021, the client was charged with a 26-year-old Murder for Hire allegation. The Commonwealth Attorney presented three weeks of evidence against Mr. Johnson. After a nearly two-hour closing argument by Salvato, the jury retired for deliberations. In less than one hour, the client was found not guilty. The case was featured on 20/20 and Dateline.
Commonwealth of Virginia v. Adam O
Client charged in Arlington County with Assault on a Police Officer. The case proceeded to jury trial. Following the closings, a jury quickly returned a not guilty verdict, and Adam walked out and went back to his life.
Commonwealth of Virginia v. C.S.
The client was charged with Assault and Battery in Fairfax County Circuit Court. Following a short, two-day trial, a jury found Ms. C.S. not guilty of the charge, and she returned to work the same day.
State of Maryland v Wilson
Mr. Wilson was charged with a significant sexual assault allegation in the Maryland Circuit Court. Mr. Salvato, with the assistance of an outstanding local attorney, represented his client with zeal and passion. A jury was empaneled and ultimately found the client not guilty of all charges.
Federal Court Results
United States v. Reyes
The client was indicted and faced 12 counts of mail and wire fraud in the Eastern District of Virginia before Judge Cacheris. The prosecution took several days to present its case, including putting two informants before the jury. After Mr. Salvato’s cross-examination and closing arguments, the case was sent to the jury. Mr. Reyes was acquitted on all 12 charges. A complete exoneration.
United States v. Warren
The client was charged with making false statements in relation to federal firearms possession. Mr. Warren’s fate went to the jury for deliberations. The jury deliberated for a total of 6 minutes. Client found not guilty of all charges.
United States v. Garcia
The client was charged with capital murder and faced the death penalty in the United States District Court before Judge Lee. After a long, multi-week trial, Mr. Garcia was found innocent of all the charges against him. His outright acquittal is one of only about 13 such outright acquittals in the history of the Federal Death Penalty Act. This case received national attention and was featured on 60 Minutes.
United States v. Marshall
Mr. Marshall faced murder charges in the Eastern District of Virginia. The case was tried before Judge Payne, who was visiting from Richmond. After a lengthy trial, the case was submitted to the jury, and Mr. Salvato’s client was found not guilty of all charges.
United States v. Holmes
In a hotly contested battle in the Eastern District of Virginia before the legendary Judge Mehrige, Mr. Holmes was acquitted of all charges by a jury in connection with a near-fatal assault on federal grounds. Another complete exoneration in federal court.
United States v. Borjas
The client was charged with drug conspiracy and proceeded to trial before Judge Liam O’Grady. At least a dozen other individuals were charged in the same conspiracy. After a long jury trial and following closing arguments by Mr. Salvato, Borjas was acquitted of all charges. He was the only one found completely innocent out of everyone charged in the conspiracy.
United States v. Pelletier
A firearms case before Judge Ellis in the Eastern District of Virginia. Mr. Salvato fought hard against everyone in that courtroom. His client was quickly acquitted by the jury and walked out the front door of that courthouse.
Cases of Note
United States v. McCauley, 983 F.3d 690 (4th Cir. 2020).
This was a pornography related case tried before Judge Ellis in the Eastern District of Virginia. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Mr. Salvato was convinced his client was innocent of the charged offense. During the trial, Judge Ellis gave the jury incorrect instructions of law.
On appeal, the Fourth Circuit unanimously reversed Judge Ellis, and the case was remanded to the Eastern District of Virginia. On remand, the United States did not pursue federal charges. Mr. McCauley’s case was transferred to the State Court, and he received probation. This case has altered the landscape of federal prosecutions in this area of the law.
United States v. Under Seal, 819 F. 3d 715 (4th Cir. 2016).
The government appealed a decision by the Honorable Judge Lee dismissing a RICO murder charge against Mr. Salvato’s client. A panel of Fourth Circuit judges ruled in favor of the defense, and the murder charge remained dismissed. This case has a broad impact on the treatment of offenders charged with these serious offenses.
United States v. Duff, 931 F. Supp. 1306 (EDVA, Judge Cacheris).
Mr. Duff was charged with firearms offenses. In a pretrial motions hearing, dispositive issues were presented to the Judge. In a written opinion, the Court noted the case agent had been “effectively impeached” on numerous material matters. The case was dismissed, and the United States declined to appeal.
United States v. Davis, Record No. 95-5639 (4th Circuit 1996)
After a trial before the legendary Albert v. Bryan, Jr., Mr. Salvato took the case on appeal to the Fourth Circuit, challenging Judge Bryan’s decision on various issues, including a jury instruction omission. The case was reversed as the Court agreed with Mr. Salvato that the instructions given by Judge Bryan were erroneous. Mr. Davis was not retried, and the case was dismissed.