Indianapolis Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
Top-Rated Defense Attorneys Serving Southern District of Indiana
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(212) 300-5196Lead Attorney Todd Spodek
Federal Defense Expert • National Media Legal Analyst • Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
Federal Criminal Defense in Indianapolis: Pharmaceutical Capital Under Federal Oversight
The Southern District of Indiana: America's Pharmaceutical Prosecution Center
The Birch Bayh Federal Building in Indianapolis serves as the epicenter for federal prosecutions in America's pharmaceutical capital, where Eli Lilly and Company, Roche Diagnostics, and numerous other pharmaceutical giants maintain major operations. The Southern District of Indiana handles more pharmaceutical-related federal crimes than any other jurisdiction, reflecting Indianapolis's unique position as home to major drug manufacturers, clinical research organizations, and pharmaceutical supply chain companies. Federal prosecutors here work closely with the Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, and other agencies to pursue complex cases involving drug pricing fraud, clinical trial violations, and sophisticated schemes that exploit the pharmaceutical industry's complex regulatory environment.
Indianapolis's concentration of pharmaceutical companies creates unique federal enforcement challenges involving crimes that can affect global drug supplies, patient safety, and healthcare costs worldwide. The city hosts the headquarters and major manufacturing facilities for companies that produce everything from insulin and cancer treatments to vaccines and antibiotics, creating environments where sophisticated criminal schemes intersect with legitimate pharmaceutical operations in ways that require expert understanding of FDA regulations, clinical trial procedures, and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
The presence of major clinical research organizations, contract manufacturers, and pharmaceutical service providers in Indianapolis adds additional complexity to federal prosecutions, where traditional healthcare fraud intersects with regulatory violations, intellectual property theft, and complex financial crimes. The Indianapolis pharmaceutical ecosystem includes companies that conduct clinical trials, manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients, and provide specialized services to drug companies worldwide, creating opportunities for sophisticated criminals to exploit gaps in regulatory oversight and industry practices.
Pharmaceutical Fraud: When Life-Saving Drugs Become Criminal Enterprise
Indianapolis federal prosecutors lead the nation in pursuing complex pharmaceutical fraud cases involving drug pricing schemes, clinical trial fraud, and regulatory violations that can affect millions of patients worldwide. Cases involve everything from price-fixing conspiracies among generic drug manufacturers to elaborate schemes involving the manipulation of clinical trial data to gain FDA approval for dangerous or ineffective drugs. The Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations operates one of its largest field offices here, investigating cases that require understanding of complex scientific data, pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and the intricate regulatory framework governing drug development and approval.
The complexity of pharmaceutical pricing creates substantial opportunities for fraud involving Medicare Part D, Medicaid rebate programs, and private insurance formularies that Indianapolis federal prosecutors aggressively pursue. Cases involve pharmaceutical companies that inflate average wholesale prices, manipulate drug classification systems to avoid rebate obligations, and engage in elaborate schemes involving authorized generics and pay-for-delay agreements that keep cheaper competitors off the market. These prosecutions require understanding of pharmaceutical economics, insurance reimbursement systems, and the complex relationships between drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, and government healthcare programs.
Recent years have seen Indianapolis federal prosecutors develop expertise in cases involving specialty drugs, biosimilars, and personalized medicine that exploit regulatory uncertainties and gaps in oversight. Cases involve fraudulent biosimilar applications, manipulation of FDA approval processes for rare disease treatments, and elaborate schemes involving the theft of proprietary research data from clinical trials. These prosecutions require expert testimony from pharmacologists, clinical researchers, and regulatory specialists who can explain cutting-edge pharmaceutical concepts while protecting trade secrets and patient confidentiality.
Clinical Trial Fraud: Manipulating Science for Profit
Indianapolis's position as a major center for clinical research creates unique federal enforcement opportunities involving the manipulation of clinical trial data, violation of patient safety protocols, and elaborate schemes that exploit the clinical research process for financial gain. Federal prosecutors pursue cases involving contract research organizations that falsify safety data, clinical investigators who enroll ineligible patients, and elaborate schemes involving the manipulation of statistical analyses to make ineffective drugs appear successful. These cases require understanding of clinical trial methodology, statistical analysis, and the ethical standards that govern human subject research.
The intersection of clinical research and pharmaceutical development creates additional opportunities for fraud involving intellectual property theft, violation of confidentiality agreements, and elaborate schemes involving the unauthorized use of proprietary research methods and patient data. Federal prosecutors pursue cases involving researchers who sell confidential trial data to competitors, clinical research organizations that violate exclusive agreements with pharmaceutical sponsors, and complex schemes involving the theft of valuable research results that represent years of development and millions of dollars in investment.
Recent developments in precision medicine and artificial intelligence have created new categories of clinical trial fraud that Indianapolis federal prosecutors are pioneering in addressing. Cases involve manipulation of genetic testing data, fraudulent patient recruitment using AI systems, and elaborate schemes involving the falsification of biomarker data that is used to determine patient eligibility for experimental treatments. These prosecutions require understanding of emerging medical technologies, genetic testing procedures, and the evolving regulatory framework governing personalized medicine and AI-assisted clinical research.
Healthcare System Integration: When Pharmaceutical Companies Meet Patient Care
Indianapolis's major healthcare systems and their relationships with pharmaceutical companies create substantial federal enforcement opportunities involving kickback schemes, off-label marketing violations, and elaborate arrangements that blur the lines between legitimate medical education and illegal promotional activities. Federal prosecutors pursue cases involving pharmaceutical companies that pay physicians to prescribe specific drugs, elaborate schemes involving continuing medical education programs that are actually disguised marketing, and complex arrangements involving research grants that are tied to prescription volume rather than scientific merit.
The integration of pharmaceutical companies with healthcare delivery systems has created new categories of federal prosecutions involving value-based care contracts, risk-sharing arrangements, and complex financial relationships that may violate anti-kickback statutes and Stark Law prohibitions. Cases involve pharmaceutical companies that enter into agreements with hospitals and health systems that tie drug pricing to patient outcomes, elaborate schemes involving shared savings programs, and complex arrangements involving the provision of free drugs in exchange for exclusive formulary placement.
Recent years have seen Indianapolis federal prosecutors develop expertise in cases involving digital health technologies, electronic prescribing systems, and pharmaceutical companies' use of big data analytics to influence prescribing patterns. Cases involve manipulation of electronic health record systems, unauthorized access to prescription data, and elaborate schemes involving the use of artificial intelligence to identify and target physicians for illegal promotional activities. These prosecutions require understanding of healthcare information technology, data privacy regulations, and the evolving relationship between pharmaceutical companies and digital health platforms.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines & Mandatory Minimums
The federal sentencing system in Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
U.S. District Court
Southern District of Indiana
46 E. Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Service Area
We defend federal cases throughout Indiana, including:
• Indianapolis Metropolitan Area
• All Federal Courts in Indiana
• Population Served: 887,000+
Why Choose Our Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
Exceptional Results
Proven track record of dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges