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Pitts v. United States

No. 1:26-cv-00809 District · Decided Decided
Court
Federal Court
gand
Judge
J. P. Boulee 45
Decided
May 6, 2026
Filed
Feb 11, 2026
Judge (CL)
J. P. Boulee 45
Filed (CL)
Feb 11, 2026
CL Status
terminated

Case Overview

The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections sued the Trump administration requesting the return of materials seized by the FBI during the Jan. 28 search of elections center.

The Application

History

The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, as a government entity, challenged the FBI seizure of elections materials, asserting that the materials either exceeded the search warrant's authorization or that the board, as an innocent custodian, had property rights superior to law enforcement's retention interest.

The Conclusion

The court ruled on the return of the seized materials, though the specific holding on whether materials were ordered returned or retained is not detailed in the summary provided.

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Docket

CourtListener ↗

Outcome History (9)

  1. Mar 16, 2026 District
    Other Neutral Unreviewed

    Order to file supplemental briefing regarding Motion to Quash Subpoena, mediation unsuccessful.

  2. Mar 20, 2026 District
    Other Neutral Unreviewed

    Motion to Vacate Evidentiary Hearing denied.

  3. Mar 26, 2026 District
    Other Neutral Unreviewed

    Motion to Bring Audio/Visual/Electronic Equipment in the Courtroom granted.

  4. Mar 26, 2026 District
    Other Neutral Unreviewed

    Motion to Quash subpoena for testimony of Special Agent Hugh Raymond Evans granted.

  5. Apr 13, 2026 District
    Other Relief denied Unreviewed

    Post-Hearing Motion for Additional Evidence denied to extent of ordering Respondent to supply answers and produce documents, but open to new evidence from Petitioners.

  6. Apr 30, 2026 District
    Other Partial relief Unreviewed

    Motion to Compel granted in part, Respondent ordered to file answers to some questions.

  7. May 4, 2026 District
    Other Partial relief Unreviewed

    Motion to Intervene and Unseal Court Records granted, with conditions.

  8. May 6, 2026 District
    Dismissed Relief denied Final Unreviewed

    Amended Motion for Return of Property denied, case closed.

  9. May 7, 2026 District
    Dismissed Relief denied Final Unreviewed

    Judgment in favor of Defendants, case closed.

Federal Court TMR-177dfbe1 Fulton County Election County Search May 18, 2026

Case Analysis

Issue

Whether the Trump administration must return materials seized by the FBI during a January 28, 2026 search of the Fulton County elections center, or whether the seizure was lawful and properly within the scope of the search warrant.

Rule

Property seized pursuant to a search warrant may be retained if it falls within the warrant's scope and is relevant to criminal investigation, but must be returned if it is outside the warrant's scope, obtained unreasonably, or belongs to innocent third parties not implicated in the underlying criminal matter.

Analysis

The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, as a government entity, challenged the FBI seizure of elections materials, asserting that the materials either exceeded the search warrant's authorization or that the board, as an innocent custodian, had property rights superior to law enforcement's retention interest.

Conclusion

The court ruled on the return of the seized materials, though the specific holding on whether materials were ordered returned or retained is not detailed in the summary provided.

Overview

The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections sued the Trump administration requesting the return of materials seized by the FBI during the Jan. 28 search of elections center.

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