Fighting Federal Money Laundering Charges in Texas

Fighting Federal Money Laundering Charges in Texas

Money laundering can be a scary thing to be accused of. But don’t worry — there are ways to fight the charges if you’ve been accused of money laundering in Texas. This article will walk you through what money laundering is, what the penalties are, and most importantly, the defenses and strategies you can use to fight the charges.

What is Money Laundering?

Money laundering is when someone tries to hide the source of money that came from criminal activity. It’s a way to make “dirty” money look “clean” so that no one knows it originally came from something illegal.

There are a few common ways people try to launder money:

• Mixing it with money from legal sources
• Passing it through a series of complex transactions to hide where it came from
• Putting it in bank accounts under fake names
• Using it to buy assets like real estate or businesses

So in summary — money laundering is hiding or disguising money from illegal activities to make it look legitimate. It allows criminals to use their “dirty money” without drawing attention to themselves.

Money Laundering Charges and Penalties in Texas

In Texas, money laundering can be charged as either a state crime or a federal crime, depending on the circumstances.

Texas State Charges

At the state level, money laundering is broken down into an offense involving either:

• Less than $1,500 – a Class C misdemeanor
• $1,500 – $20,000 – a state jail felony
• $20,000 – $100,000 – a 3rd degree felony
• $100,000 – $200,000 – a 2nd degree felony
• Over $200,000 – a 1st degree felony

The penalties can include:

• Up to 1 year in jail for a misdemeanor
• Up to 2 years in state jail for a state jail felony
• Between 2-10 years in prison for a 3rd degree felony
• Between 2-20 years for a 2nd degree felony
• Between 5-99 years for a 1st degree felony

In addition to jail/prison time, Texas state money laundering charges can also involve fines up to $10,000.

Federal Charges

Money laundering can also be charged federally under federal statutes. This often happens when:

• The activity crossed state lines
• It involves over $10,000
• It uses foreign banks or countries to launder money

Federal money laundering 18 U.S.C. § 1956 can be punished by:

• Up to 20 years in federal prison
• Fines up to $500,000 or twice the amount laundered (whichever is greater)

As you can see, the penalties for federal charges are much steeper than at the state level. So fighting the charges becomes especially important if the government is pursuing federal charges against you.

Fighting Federal Money Laundering Charges

If you’ve been accused of federal money laundering charges, don’t panic. There are ways to fight the charges. Here are some of the most common defenses and strategies used:

You Didn’t Know it Was Illegal Money

One of the main elements of money laundering is knowing the money came from illegal sources. If you genuinely didn’t know the money was from criminal activity, that’s a strong defense.

For example, if someone paid you for what you thought was legitimate consulting work, but the money actually came from drug dealing, you aren’t guilty if you didn’t know that. This “lack of knowledge” defense can apply in many scenarios.

You Were Forced or Coerced

Another defense is if you were forced or coerced into laundering money by threats against you or your family. This is known as “duress.” If you can show you only laundered the money because you feared for your safety, it can negate the charges.

You Merely Spent Money – Not Laundered It

Simply spending money from illegal sources is not enough to prove money laundering. The government has to show you specifically took steps to conceal the source of funds.

So if you receive money not knowing it’s illegal, and simply spend it on normal purchases, that is likely not enough evidence to convict you of laundering it.

The Government’s Evidence is Weak

Often the government’s evidence in money laundering cases is weak. Since the activity is meant to be concealed, prosecutors frequently lack solid documentation and rely heavily on testimony from informants.

An experienced defense attorney can exploit these evidentiary weaknesses to show reasonable doubt in your guilt.

Negotiate a Plea Deal

If the evidence against you is strong, your attorney may advise negotiating a plea deal instead of going to trial. This involves pleading guilty in exchange for reduced charges or a lighter sentence. While not ideal, a plea bargain is sometimes the best option to avoid harsh penalties if convicted at trial. An attorney can get you the best deal possible.

Work with a Federal Money Laundering Lawyer

Fighting federal money laundering charges in Texas is complex. But the stakes are high, with lengthy prison sentences on the line. Your best chance is working with an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer.

They can evaluate the strength of the government’s case, advise you on the best defense strategy, and represent you every step of the way. Don’t leave your fate to chance – consult a lawyer immediately if facing federal money laundering charges.