Houston Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
Top-Rated Defense Attorneys Serving Southern District of Texas
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(212) 300-5196Lead Attorney Todd Spodek
Federal Defense Expert • National Media Legal Analyst • Houston Criminal Defense Leader
Todd Spodek, Esq.
Managing Partner & Lead Federal Defense Attorney
Federal Court Expertise
Deep understanding of federal prosecution strategies through decades of defense experience
Strong Track Record
Proven track record in federal criminal defense cases nationwide
50+ Years Combined Experience
Leading a team of seasoned federal defense experts
Featured In National Media
High-Profile Federal Cases
- Ghislaine Maxwell Juror Case: Legal analyst for national media coverage
- Anna Delvey Federal Fraud: Defense strategy expert commentary
- NBA Healthcare Fraud: Federal conspiracy defense analysis
- American Greed Feature: Expert on white collar defense
Todd Spodek in the Media
Federal Conspiracy Defense Strategies
Expert analysis on defending federal conspiracy charges and prosecution tactics
White Collar Crime Defense Expert
Featured expert on CNBC's American Greed discussing federal fraud defense
Federal Case Dismissal Strategy
Breaking down successful defense strategies in complex federal cases
What the Media Says
"Todd Spodek's analysis of federal conspiracy law provides invaluable insight into how these complex cases are defended at the highest level."
— Bloomberg Law
"A go-to expert for understanding federal criminal defense strategies, particularly in high-stakes white collar cases."
— CNN Legal Analysis
Federal Charges We Defend in Houston
Federal Criminal Defense in Houston: Where Energy Meets International Commerce
The Southern District of Texas: America's Energy and Medical Hub
The Bob Casey United States Courthouse at 515 Rusk Avenue sits at the heart of America's energy capital, where federal prosecutors handle cases that reflect Houston's unique position as the global center for oil and gas operations. The Southern District of Texas processes federal crimes ranging from complex energy sector fraud to environmental violations stemming from the nation's largest petrochemical complex. This federal court's jurisdiction extends from the refineries of the Houston Ship Channel to the offshore drilling platforms of the Gulf of Mexico.
Houston's federal prosecutors work with a constellation of specialized agencies rarely seen elsewhere. The Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division maintains one of its largest offices here, investigating everything from illegal dumping in Galveston Bay to safety violations at chemical plants. The Department of Energy's Office of Inspector General pursues cases involving fraudulent renewable energy credits and manipulation of natural gas futures markets. These investigations require defense attorneys who understand not just federal criminal law but also complex energy markets and environmental regulations.
The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical complex, generates its own category of federal prosecutions. With over 50 medical institutions concentrated in a few square miles, healthcare fraud cases here involve unprecedented complexity. Federal prosecutors pursue everything from kickback schemes between physicians and medical device companies to elaborate Medicare billing fraud involving multiple hospitals. The intersection of cutting-edge medical research and federal healthcare funding creates unique vulnerabilities that sophisticated criminals exploit.
Energy Sector Prosecutions: From Enron to Modern Commodity Fraud
Houston's reputation for energy sector prosecutions began with the Enron collapse and continues with modern cases involving renewable energy fraud, natural gas price manipulation, and illegal oil trading with sanctioned countries. Federal prosecutors here have developed expertise in unraveling complex energy trading schemes, working with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to identify market manipulation in everything from crude oil futures to renewable energy certificates.
The transition to renewable energy has created new categories of federal crimes that Houston prosecutors lead the nation in pursuing. Cases involve fraudulent solar panel installations claiming federal tax credits, wind farm development schemes that defraud investors, and elaborate carbon credit trading frauds. These prosecutions require understanding of emerging energy markets, federal environmental incentives, and the complex web of regulations governing renewable energy development.
International energy trading brings additional complexity to Houston federal cases. Prosecutors pursue violations of sanctions against countries like Iran, Venezuela, and Russia, often involving shell companies, offshore accounts, and complex commodity trading arrangements. Defense attorneys must navigate not only American criminal law but also international sanctions regimes, energy trading practices, and the regulatory frameworks of multiple countries. The stakes are enormous, with individual cases often involving hundreds of millions of dollars in alleged illegal transactions.
The Port of Houston: International Trade and Customs Violations
The Port of Houston ranks as America's second-largest port, handling over 280 million tons of cargo annually and generating substantial federal enforcement activity. Customs and Border Protection operates one of its largest field offices here, investigating everything from steel dumping cases that violate international trade agreements to sophisticated money laundering schemes using trade-based methods. Federal prosecutors coordinate with international partners to pursue cases involving false invoicing, tariff evasion, and prohibited imports.
Houston's position as a major gateway for trade with Latin America creates unique federal prosecution opportunities and challenges. Cases often involve complex webs of shell companies across multiple countries, requiring prosecutors to work with foreign law enforcement agencies and navigate different legal systems. Defense attorneys face cases where evidence spans multiple jurisdictions, witnesses may be located abroad, and understanding of international trade law becomes essential.
Recent years have seen Houston federal prosecutors pioneer cases involving cryptocurrency and trade-based money laundering. Criminal organizations use the port's massive trade volume to disguise drug proceeds as legitimate commercial transactions, often involving over-invoicing, under-invoicing, and multiple invoicing schemes. These cases require sophisticated financial analysis, expert testimony on international trade practices, and coordination with financial intelligence units from partner countries.
Healthcare Fraud in America's Medical Capital
The Texas Medical Center's concentration of world-class medical institutions creates unprecedented opportunities for healthcare fraud, and federal prosecutors have responded with one of the nation's most aggressive healthcare fraud enforcement programs. Cases here involve not just traditional Medicare billing fraud but also cutting-edge schemes involving medical device kickbacks, clinical trial fraud, and elaborate pharmaceutical rebate manipulations that exploit the complex relationships between hospitals, physicians, and medical suppliers.
Houston federal prosecutors work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General to investigate cases involving some of the nation's largest hospital systems. These investigations often reveal systematic billing fraud, illegal financial relationships between physicians and hospitals, and violations of federal anti-kickback statutes. The complexity of modern medical billing, combined with the vast sums involved in federal healthcare programs, creates cases that require expert testimony from forensic accountants, medical billing specialists, and healthcare compliance experts.
The intersection of medical research and federal funding creates additional categories of prosecution unique to Houston's federal court. Cases involve fraudulent research grants, manipulation of clinical trial data, and illegal financial relationships between researchers and pharmaceutical companies. These prosecutions require defense attorneys who understand not only federal criminal law but also the complex regulations governing medical research, FDA approval processes, and the ethical standards that govern physician-patient relationships in research settings.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines & Mandatory Minimums
The federal sentencing system in Houston operates under strict guidelines that leave judges with limited discretion. Understanding these guidelines and how to navigate them effectively is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome in your case.
Federal sentences are calculated using a complex point system based on offense level and criminal history. Factors include:
- • Base offense level
- • Specific offense characteristics
- • Victim-related adjustments
- • Role in the offense
- • Obstruction of justice
- • Acceptance of responsibility
Certain federal crimes carry mandatory minimum sentences that judges cannot reduce:
- • Drug trafficking: 5-40 years
- • Firearms offenses: 5-25 years
- • Child pornography: 5-20 years
- • Identity theft: 2 years consecutive
- • Some fraud offenses: 2-10 years
Experienced attorneys can pursue various strategies to minimize sentences:
- • Safety valve provisions
- • Substantial assistance motions
- • Downward departures
- • Alternative sentencing programs
- • Pre-trial diversion
- • Plea negotiations
Federal Courts in Houston
U.S. District Court
Southern District of Texas
515 Rusk Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
Service Area
We defend federal cases throughout Texas, including:
• Houston Metropolitan Area
• All Federal Courts in Texas
• Population Served: 2.3 million+
Why Choose Our Houston Federal Defense Team
Federal Expertise
Our attorneys have decades of federal court experience and know the system inside out
24/7 Availability
Federal charges don't wait - neither do we. Available around the clock
50+ Years Experience
Combined decades of federal criminal defense experience in Houston
Exceptional Results
Proven track record of dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges