Skilled in Handling Federal Conspiracy Cases

VIRGINIA, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND MARYLAND FEDERAL COURTS

Being charged with a federal conspiracy is a serious matter. Even if the alleged underlying crime was never completed, a conspiracy conviction can still result in years of prison time, large fines, and permanent damage to your reputation.

With over three decades of experience in federal courts throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, we provide aggressive, strategic, and confidential legal defense for individuals facing conspiracy charges—whether in connection with fraud, drug trafficking, public corruption, or other federal crimes.

Call me at 202-462-1100 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation.

What is conspiracy?

A conspiracy is nothing more or less than an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime, together with an overt act by at least one person to advance the illegal purpose of the conspiracy. An actual crime need not have been committed, a conspirator need not know all the details of the illegal plan, and the overt act need not itself have been a crime. The agreement is the essence of the conspiracy, not the crime itself.

Types of Cases Involving Federal Conspiracy
Federal conspiracy charges often accompany or replace substantive criminal charges and may relate to:

• Drug trafficking and distribution (21 U.S.C. § 846)
• Fraud (wire, mail, healthcare, securities, or tax fraud)
• Public corruption, bribery, or kickback schemes
• Money laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956 & § 1957)
• Weapons trafficking or illegal import/export activity
• Cybercrime or computer intrusion conspiracies
• RICO and organized crime-related cases

Because conspiracy is often used to cast a wide net, even people with minimal involvement can face the same penalties as those who planned or carried out the core offense.

TYPES OF CASES INVOLVING FEDERAL CONSPIRACY

Federal conspiracy charges often accompany or replace substantive criminal charges and may relate to:

1. Drug trafficking and distribution (21 U.S.C. § 846)
2. Fraud (wire, mail, healthcare, securities, or tax fraud)
3. Public corruption, bribery, or kickback schemes
4. Money laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956 & § 1957)
5. Weapons trafficking or illegal import/export activity
6. Cybercrime or computer intrusion conspiracies
7. RICO and organized crime-related cases
8. Immigration or human trafficking conspiracies
9. Terrorism-related investigations

Because conspiracy is often used to cast a wide net, even people with minimal involvement can face the same penalties as those who planned or carried out the core offense.

PENALTIES FOR FEDERAL CONSPIRACY CHARGES

Penalties for conspiracy vary depending on the alleged crime at the heart of the case. However, conspiracy convictions can carry:

• Up to 5 years in federal prison under 18 U.S.C. § 371
• Up to 20 years or more if linked to drug or violent crimes
• Significant fines and asset forfeiture
• Collateral consequences including immigration status issues and loss of licenses
• Permanent criminal record, limiting future opportunities

Importantly, you can be charged and convicted even if the underlying crime was never committed. That’s why early, strategic defense is critical.

What the Government Must Prove

To convict someone of conspiracy, federal prosecutors must establish:

• An agreement existed to commit an unlawful act
• You voluntarily joined the agreement
• Someone in the group took an action in support of the conspiracy

Your actual role in the scheme may be minor—yet the law allows prosecutors to hold you equally liable. I work to dismantle these assumptions and protect your individual rights.

AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY CAN DEFEND YOU AGAINST COMPLEX FEDERAL CONSPIRACY CHARGES

In real life, a federal conspiracy offense might involve dozens or hundreds of people, with most unknown to one another, who are alleged to have participated in a complex drug trafficking or fraud scheme. My understanding of federal fraud law can help you by attacking the evidence linking you to the agreement, by showing that the alleged overt acts were in fact, innocent and unconnected to the criminal conduct, or even by demonstrating your withdrawal from the agreement before the underlying crimes occurred. My analysis of the facts will identify the best approach.