Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys

Congress has enacted nearly 5,000 federal criminal offenses and thousands of regulations that can be punished criminally. Federal criminal offenses are broadly worded and selectively enforced. In federal court, prosecutors enjoy broad charging discretion.

Both the discovery and procedural rules often favor the government. As a result, the power of the federal prosecutor has never been greater.

During a criminal investigation, you need an attorney who can fight the allegations at every stage of the case.

Federal crimes in the greater Tampa Bay area are prosecuted in the United States District Court in the Tampa Division of the Middle District of Florida. The Tampa Division serves Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota Counties.

The courthouse for the Tampa Division is headquartered in downtown Tampa, Florida, at the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse.

The jurisdiction to prosecute the case within the federal criminal justice system might occur for any of the following reasons:

• the crime impacts interstate commerce;
• the crime happened on land owned by the federal government; or
• the allegations involve a loss or harm to the federal government.

Most people become aware of the pending investigation because they receive a “target letter” from an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), or because federal law enforcement officers come to their home or office to serve a seizure warrant.

Attorneys for Federal Criminal Defense in Tampa, FL

If you need an experienced federal defense attorney for a crime being investigated or prosecuted within the federal criminal justice system out of the Middle District of Florida in the Tampa Division, call an attorney at Sammis Law Firm.

You might learn about the investigation for a violation of federal law when an FBI, DEA, or ATF agent knocks on your door. In other cases, you might receive a “target letter” from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida in the Tampa Division.

Even misdemeanor crimes might be prosecuted in federal court. Our federal defense lawyers represent clients served with a “United States District Court Violation Notice.” Even traffic misdemeanor cases like DUI after an arrest at MacDill Air Force Base can be prosecuted in federal court.

No matter how the case started, we provide free and confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, possible defenses, and the attorney fees needed for your defense. Visit our downtown Tampa, FL office, just one block from the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse.

Call (813) 250-0500.

Felony Investigations in Federal Court

More serious federal crimes include fraud, gun charges, drug crimes, immigration crimes such as illegal entry, or even sex crimes.

We understand the issues that can arise during the plea bargaining process. Those issues include Early Disposition Programs, substantial assistance, stipulations, Rule 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreements, DOJ policies, and appeal waivers.

Recent statistics show that federal prosecutors have a 94% conviction rate. The penalties for federal crimes are severe. When you first learn that you are under investigation, contact an attorney before speaking to any law enforcement agent or investigator.

Federal prosecutors often joke about “picking the low-hanging fruit.” But it is no joke that certain federal offenses are easier to prosecute than others. Talking to a federal agent about what you did makes it infinitely easier for the prosecutor to file the charges and prosecute the case.

To exercise your rights, say: “I take the fifth and the sixth. I am not making any statements until I speak with my attorney.”

If you already have an attorney, you can say: “I’d like to contact my attorney.” If you cannot afford an attorney, remain silent until one is appointed to represent you. After invoking your rights under the Fifth or Sixth Amendment, you should remain silent. If requested, you can provide your name, address, and date of birth without waiving your rights, but you are not required to answer other questions.

Your criminal defense attorney is often in the best position to help you provide your side of the story and present all mitigating or exculpatory evidence on your behalf. Federal crimes involve a complete set of rules and procedures that require a certain level of skill and experience.

Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney about your case today.

Target Letter in a Federal Criminal Investigation in Tampa

Many federal cases begin with a letter to the target of a federal criminal investigation (often called the “target letter”).

For a target letter from the United States Attorney’s Office for violations of federal law issued in the Middle District of Florida in the Tampa Division, the letter might explain that you are the target of a Federal Grand Jury investigation into criminal violations.

The target letter notifies you that the United States Attorney’s Office is prepared to proceed before a Federal Grand Jury to seek charges against you. The letter often says that before the United States Attorney’s Office proceeds to bring these formal charges against you, the federal prosecutor would like to discuss the matter with you and your attorney.

The letter will invite you or your attorney to contact the federal prosecutor as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. The letter often says that if the federal prosecutor does not hear from you or your attorney by a certain date, the federal prosecutor will assume you do not wish to discuss the matter and will proceed accordingly.

Act quickly to present exculpatory evidence and mitigation to the federal investigators and the Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) assigned to the case. Letting your attorney advocate on your behalf during the early stages of the investigation often leads to the best results.

Sentencing Guidelines in Federal Court

The Federal sentencing guidelines were designed to mandate specific minimum sentences that the court considers at the time of sentencing. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines involve a complex maze of rules and factors that your attorney must evaluate carefully.

The Federal Courts have broad latitude to consider certain factors. Those factors might drastically reduce or increase the typical sentence. These decisions might be made during a sentencing hearing.

Hiring an experienced attorney can help set the stage to convince the court to impose the most favorable sentence possible if you decide to enter a plea to the charge instead of proceeding to trial. Your attorney needs to understand the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

A federal criminal defense attorney might begin preparing the case for trial or pursue negotiations. Those two tasks go together because the more work done to prepare the case for trial, the more willing the prosecutor is to negotiate a better resolution.

When a pre-trial resolution is impossible, your federal criminal defense attorney must be prepared to file every viable motion to suppress or exclude prejudicial evidence. Before trial, your attorney must be prepared to file and litigate every viable motion to dismiss the charges.

The best possible result in these cases is getting the judge to dismiss the charges or getting the government to file a “motion to dismiss” under Rule 48(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and by leave of the Court, getting the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida to move to dismiss the case.

If a pre-trial resolution is impossible, your attorney must be prepared to take the case to trial to fight for a “not guilty” verdict.

Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure

Federal criminal defense attorneys need to understand the procedural rules in federal court. Understanding how the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure might apply in a particular case often requires analyzing the applicable rules, leading cases, pertinent federal regulations, pertinent federal statutes, relevant constitutional provisions, and helpful secondary authorities.

The rules are amended over time. For example, effective December 1, 2020, Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) imposes additional requirements for the notice that the government must provide a defendant.

Federal Presentence Reports

The federal criminal defense attorney that you hire should also understand the importance of the federal presentence reports, including the types of information included in the PSR, the way it is prepared, how to respond to the initial report before it is finalized, and when to object.

Judges rely heavily on the PSR when deciding what sentence to impose – especially when the accused enters a guilty plea. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) also relies on the PSR in making decisions about designations and placements throughout the incarceration. For example, information in the PSR might influence whether and when the BOP grants early release through halfway house.

The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm often hire former federal probation officers working at mitigation specialists to assist with presentence investigations.

Who Investigates Federal Criminal Violations Crimes?

Many criminal violations occur on federal property, such as military installations, post offices, federal buildings, national wildlife refuges, a national forest, or the Veteran Affairs medical center. Other violations occur on privately owned land but involve violations of federal law.

The United States has dozens of federal law enforcement agencies organized under different cabinet-level departments. Law enforcement officers and agents issue federal criminal violations for a variety of federal agencies located within the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, might include:

• Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Handles terrorism, national security, and major federal crimes.
  • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Enforces controlled substance laws and investigates major drug trafficking.
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): Investigates federal crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and trafficking of alcohol and tobacco.
  • U.S. Marshals Service (USMS): Protects federal courts, manages federal fugitives, and handles prisoner operations.
  • Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Manages federal correctional institutions and inmates.
•  Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Secures U.S. borders, ports of entry, and coastal waters.
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Investigates cross-border criminal trade, human trafficking, and immigration violations.
  • United States Secret Service (USSS): Protects national leaders and investigates financial and cyber crimes.
  • U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): Enforces maritime law and conducts search and rescue.
  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Secures public transportation systems and airports.
  • Federal Protective Service (FPS): Secures and patrols federal government buildings.
• Department of the Interior (DOI)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement: U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents investigates wildlife crimes like illegal trafficking and habitat destruction.
• Other Major Agencies
  • U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS): Investigates crimes that use the U.S. Mail system.
  • Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS): Investigates fraud and criminal conduct within the Department of Defense.
  •  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Veteran Affairs (VA) Police investigate crimes on VA owned property.

You must appear if the violation notice says a court appearance is mandatory. In some cases, your attorney can appear on your behalf after receiving permission from the court to waive your appearance.

If you do not hire an attorney and then fail to appear in court on the scheduled date and time, the court can issue a summons ordering you to appear or issue a warrant for your arrest.

The court might suspend your driving privileges and/or vehicle registration if the case involves a motor vehicle violation. In addition, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) might impose an additional reinstatement fee after the suspension is cleared.

The court often imposes probation, community service, or deferred prosecution instead of incarceration.

The Most Common Federal Crimes Prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida

The most common federal crimes prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida include:

Crimes Against Federal Officers, Civil Rights, & Institutions

• 1.1 Forcibly Assaulting a Federal Officer: Without Use of a Deadly Weapon (Felony Offense) — 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1)
• 1.2 Forcibly Assaulting a Federal Officer: With Use of a Deadly Weapon or Inflicting Bodily Injury — 18 U.S.C. § 111(b)
• 8 Deprivation of Civil Rights (Without Bodily Injury, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault, or Death) — 18 U.S.C. § 242
• 9 Damage to Religious Property — 18 U.S.C. § 247(a)(1) & (d)(2)
• 10.1 Freedom of Access to Reproductive Health Services: Intimidation or Injury of a Person — 18 U.S.C. § 248(a)(1)
• 10.2 Freedom of Access to Reproductive Health Services: Damage to a Facility — 18 U.S.C. § 248(a)(3)
• 25 Escape — 18 U.S.C. § 751(a)
• 26 Instigating or Assisting an Escape — 18 U.S.C. § 752(a)
• 29 Threats Against the President — 18 U.S.C. § 871
• 32 False Impersonation of a Citizen — 18 U.S.C. § 911
• 33 False Impersonation of an Officer of the United States — 18 U.S.C. § 912
• 48 Killing or Attempting to Kill a Federal Officer or Employee — 18 U.S.C. § 1114
• 68.1 Providing Contraband to a Federal Prisoner — 18 U.S.C. § 1791(a)(1)
• 68.2 Possession of Contraband by a Federal Prisoner — 18 U.S.C. § 1791(a)(2)
• 94 Failure to Appear: Bail Jumping — 18 U.S.C. § 3146
• 116 Forceful Intimidation Because of Race: Occupancy of Dwelling (No Bodily Injury) — 42 U.S.C. § 3631

General Conspiracy & Inchoate Liability

• 13.1 General Conspiracy Charge — 18 U.S.C. § 371
• 13.2 Multiple Objects of a Conspiracy (for use with 13.1) — 18 U.S.C. § 371
• 13.3 Multiple Conspiracies (for use with 13.1) — 18 U.S.C. § 371
• 13.4 Withdrawal from a Conspiracy (for use with 13.1) — 18 U.S.C. § 371
• 13.5 Pinkerton Co-Conspirator Liability Instruction — Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640 (1946)
• 13.6 Conspiracy to Defraud the United States — 18 U.S.C. § 371 (Second Clause)

Bribery, Public Corruption, & Bankruptcy Crimes

• 2 Concealment of Property Belonging to the Estate of a Bankruptcy Debtor — 18 U.S.C. § 152(1)
• 3 Presenting or Using a False Claim in a Bankruptcy Proceeding — 18 U.S.C. § 152(4)
• 4 Embezzlement of a Bankruptcy Estate — 18 U.S.C. § 153
• 5.1 Bribery of a Public Official — 18 U.S.C. § 201(b)(1)
• 5.2 Receipt of a Bribe by a Public Official — 18 U.S.C. § 201(b)(2)
• 6.1 Bribery of a Bank Officer — 18 U.S.C. § 215(a)(1)
• 6.2 Receipt of a Bribe or Reward by a Bank Officer — 18 U.S.C. § 215(a)(2)
• 24.1 Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds — 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(A)
• 24.2 Bribery Concerning a Program Receiving Federal Funds — 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(B)
• 24.3 Bribery of Agent of Entity Receiving Benefits Under a Federal Assistance Program — 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(2)
• 50.2 Honest Services Mail Fraud (Public Official / Public Employee) — 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 & 1346
• 50.3 Honest Services Mail Fraud (Private Employee) — 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 & 1346
• 50.4 Honest Services Mail Fraud (Independent Contractor / Other Contractual Relationship) — 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 & 1346

Fraud, Theft, Embezzlement, & Identity Theft

• 11.1 Conspiracy to Defraud the Government with Respect to Claims — 18 U.S.C. § 286
• 11.2 False Claims Against the Government — 18 U.S.C. § 287
• 12 Presenting False Declaration or Certification — 18 U.S.C. § 289
• 21 Theft of Government Money or Property — 18 U.S.C. § 641 (First Paragraph)
• 22 Theft or Embezzlement by Bank Employee — 18 U.S.C. § 656
• 23.1 Theft from an Interstate Shipment — 18 U.S.C. § 659 (First Paragraph)
• 23.2 Buying or Receiving Goods Stolen from an Interstate Shipment — 18 U.S.C. § 659 (Second Paragraph)
• 36 False Statement to a Federal Agency — 18 U.S.C. § 1001
• 37 False Entry in Bank Records — 18 U.S.C. § 1005 (Third Paragraph)
• 38 False Statements in HUD and FHA Transactions — 18 U.S.C. § 1010
• 39 False Statement to a Federally Insured Institution — 18 U.S.C. § 1014
• 40.1 False Identification Documents — 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(3)
• 40.2 False Identification Documents — 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(4)
• 40.3 Aggravated Identity Theft — 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1)
• 41.1 Fraudulent Use of Counterfeit Credit Cards / Access Devices — 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(1)
• 41.2 Fraudulent Use of Unauthorized Credit Cards / Access Devices — 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(2)
• 42.1 Computer Fraud: Injury to the United States — 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(1)
• 42.2 Computer Fraud: Obtaining Financial Information — 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2) & (c)(2)(B)
• 42.3 Computer Fraud: Causing Damage to Computer or Program — 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A) & (B)
• 42.4 Computer Fraud: Trafficking in Passwords — 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(6)(A) & (B)
• 43 Major Fraud Against the United States — 18 U.S.C. § 1031
• 50.1 Mail Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1341
• 51 Wire Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1343
• 52 Bank Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1344
• 53.1 Health Care Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1347
• 54 Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1349
• 69 False Statement Regarding Federal Workers’ Compensation Benefits — 18 U.S.C. § 1920
• 88.1 Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property — 18 U.S.C. § 2314 (First Paragraph)
• 88.2 Causing Interstate Travel in Execution of a Scheme to Defraud — 18 U.S.C. § 2314 (Second Paragraph)
• 89 Sale or Receipt of Stolen Property — 18 U.S.C. § 2315 (First Paragraph)
• 95 Unlawful Possession of Food Stamps — 7 U.S.C. § 2024(b)
• 114 Fraudulent Receipt of V.A. Benefits — 38 U.S.C. § 6102(b)
• 115 Falsely Representing a Social Security Number — 42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)(B)

Counterfeiting, Forgery, & Smuggling

• 14 Counterfeiting Obligations or Securities — 18 U.S.C. § 471
• 15.1 Possession of Counterfeit Notes — 18 U.S.C. § 472
• 15.2 Counterfeit Notes: Passing or Uttering — 18 U.S.C. § 472
• 16 Counterfeit Notes: Dealing — 18 U.S.C. § 473
• 17 Counterfeit Notes: Possession of Plates/Notes Made in Similitude — 18 U.S.C. § 474(a) (Fifth Paragraph)
• 18.1 Forgery: Endorsement of Government Check Over $1,000 — 18 U.S.C. § 510(a)(1)
• 18.2 Forgery: Uttering a Forged Endorsement Over $1,000 — 18 U.S.C. § 510(a)(2)
• 18.3 Counterfeit or Forged Securities — 18 U.S.C. § 513(a)
• 20 Smuggling Goods into the United States — 18 U.S.C. § 545 (First Paragraph)

Mail Crimes & Postal Offenses

• 65 Obstruction of Correspondence / Taking of Mail — 18 U.S.C. § 1702
• 66.1 Theft of Mail — 18 U.S.C. § 1708 (First Paragraph)
• 66.2 Possession of Stolen Mail — 18 U.S.C. § 1708 (Third Paragraph)
• 67 Theft of Mail Matter by Postal Service Employee — 18 U.S.C. § 1709
• 77 Armed Postal / U.S. Property Robbery — 18 U.S.C. § 2114(a)

Obstruction of Justice, Perjury, & Witness Tampering

• 53.2 Obstruction of Criminal Investigations of Health Care Offenses — 18 U.S.C. § 1518(a)
• 58.1 Obstruction of Justice: Omnibus Clause — 18 U.S.C. § 1503
• 58.2 Corruptly Influencing a Juror — 18 U.S.C. § 1503
• 58.3 Threatening a Juror — 18 U.S.C. § 1503
• 59.1 Killing a Witness — 18 U.S.C. § 1512(a)(1)(A)
• 59.2 Tampering with a Witness — 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(1)
• 64 False Declaration Before a Grand Jury — 18 U.S.C. § 1623(a)

Firearms & Weapons Offenses

• 34.1 Dealing in Firearms Without a License — 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1)(A)
• 34.2 Transfer of Firearm to Nonresident — 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(5)
• 34.3 False Statement to a Firearms Dealer — 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6)
• 34.4 Failure of Firearms Dealer to Keep Proper Record of Sale — 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(5)
• 34.5 Sale of a Firearm to a Convicted Felon — 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)(1)
• 34.6 Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Convicted Felon — 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
• 34.7 False Entry in a Record by a Firearms Dealer — 18 U.S.C. § 922(m)
• 34.8 Possession of a Machine Gun — 18 U.S.C. § 922(o)(1)
• 35.1 False Statement in Required Records of Firearms Dealer — 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(1)(A)
• 35.2 Using or Carrying a Firearm During a Crime of Violence or Drug Trafficking — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)
• 35.3 Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence or Drug Trafficking — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)
• 35.4 Using, Carrying, and Possessing in Furtherance — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)
• 35.5 Aiding and Abetting: Possessing a Firearm — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
• 35.6 Aiding and Abetting: Using or Carrying a Firearm — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
• 35.7 Aiding and Abetting: Using, Carrying, and Possessing — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
• 35.8 Firearm Brandishing Enhancement — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
• 35.9 Firearm Discharge Enhancement — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
• 35.10 Weapons Enhancements (Short-barreled rifle/shotgun, machinegun, silencer) — 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(B)
• 106.1 Possession of Unregistered Firearm (National Firearms Act) — 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d)
• 106.2 Possession of Firearm Having Altered or Obliterated Serial Number — 26 U.S.C. § 5861(h)
• 106.3 Possession or Receipt of Firearm Not Identified by Serial Number — 26 U.S.C. § 5861(i)

Violent Crimes, Kidnapping, Robbery, & Threats

• 27 Making Bomb Threats by Mail or Telephone — 18 U.S.C. § 844(e)
• 28 Federal Arson Statute — 18 U.S.C. § 844(i)
• 30.1 Interstate Transmission of Demand for Ransom for Kidnapped Person — 18 U.S.C. § 875(a)
• 30.2 Interstate Transmission of Extortionate Threat to Kidnap or Injure — 18 U.S.C. § 875(b)
• 30.3 Interstate Transmission of Threat to Kidnap or Injure — 18 U.S.C. § 875(c)
• 30.4 Interstate Transmission of Extortionate Communication — 18 U.S.C. § 875(d)
• 31.1 Mailing Threatening Communications (First Paragraph) — 18 U.S.C. § 876
• 31.2 Mailing Threatening Communications (Kidnap/Injure with Intent to Extort) — 18 U.S.C. § 876(b)
• 31.3 Mailing Threatening Communications (Threat to Kidnap or Injure) — 18 U.S.C. § 876(c)
• 31.4 Mailing Threatening Communications (Demand for Ransom / Property Extortion) — 18 U.S.C. § 876(d)
• 45.1 First-Degree Premeditated Murder — 18 U.S.C. § 1111
• 45.2 First-Degree Felony Murder — 18 U.S.C. § 1111
• 45.3 Second-Degree Murder — 18 U.S.C. § 1111
• 46.1 Voluntary Manslaughter — 18 U.S.C. § 1112
• 46.2 Involuntary Manslaughter — 18 U.S.C. § 1112
• 47 Attempted Murder — 18 U.S.C. § 1113
• 49 Kidnapping [Resulting in Death] — 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(1)
• 70.3 Hobbs Act Robbery — 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
• 76.1 Bank Robbery: Unarmed — 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a)
• 76.2 Bank Robbery: Armed (Separate Counts) — 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) & (d)
• 76.3 Bank Robbery: Armed (Same Count) — 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) & (d)
• 76.4 Bank Robbery: Forced Accompaniment / Killing / Kidnapping — 18 U.S.C. § 2113(e)
• 78 Carjacking — 18 U.S.C. § 2119
• 86 Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Motor Vehicle — 18 U.S.C. § 2312
• 87 Sale or Receipt of a Stolen Motor Vehicle — 18 U.S.C. § 2313

Racketeering (RICO), Gangs, Extortion, & Money Laundering

• 19 Criminal Street Gangs Penalty Enhancement — 18 U.S.C. § 521
• 44 Transmission of Wagering Information (Wire Act) — 18 U.S.C. § 1084
• 70.1 Hobbs Act Extortion: Force or Threats of Force — 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
• 70.2 Hobbs Act Extortion: Color of Official Right — 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
• 71 Travel Act: Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering — 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a)(3)
• 72 Interstate Transportation of Wagering Paraphernalia (Bookmaking) — 18 U.S.C. § 1953
• 73 Operating an Illegal Gambling Business — 18 U.S.C. § 1955
• 74.1 Money Laundering: Promoting Unlawful Activity — 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(A)(i)
• 74.2 Money Laundering: Concealing Proceeds / Avoiding Reporting — 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) & (ii)
• 74.3 Money Laundering: International Transportation of Monetary Instruments — 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(A)
• 74.4 Money Laundering Undercover Sting — 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(3)
• 74.5 Money Laundering Conspiracy — 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h)
• 74.6 Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity (Over $10,000) — 18 U.S.C. § 1957
• 75.1 RICO: Conducting Enterprise Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity — 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c)
• 75.2 RICO Conspiracy — 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
• 112 Structuring Financial Transactions to Evade Currency Reporting — 31 U.S.C. § 5324(a)(3)

Terrorism, WMDs, & National Security

• 84 Transportation of Explosive, Biological, Chemical, or Nuclear Materials — 18 U.S.C. § 2283(a)
• 85 Transportation of Terrorists — 18 U.S.C. § 2284(a)
• 90 Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the United States — 18 U.S.C. § 2332a(a)(2)
• 91.1 Providing Material Support to Terrorists — 18 U.S.C. § 2339A
• 91.2 Providing Material Support or Resources to Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations — 18 U.S.C. § 2339B

Immigration, Passports, & Naturalization

• 60 False Statement in Passport Application / Misuse of Passport — 18 U.S.C. § 1542
• 60.1 Misuse of a Passport — 18 U.S.C. § 1544
• 61 Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents — 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a)
• 96.1 Alien Smuggling: Bringing Aliens into the United States — 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(i)
• 96.2 Alien Smuggling: Unlawfully Transporting Aliens — 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii)
• 96.3 Alien Smuggling: Concealing or Harboring Aliens — 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii)
• 96.4 Conspiracy to Encourage or Induce Aliens to Enter the United States — 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I)
• 97 Illegal Reentry by Removed/Deported Alien — 8 U.S.C. § 1326
• 120 Unlawful Procurement of Citizenship or Naturalization — 18 U.S.C. § 1425

Controlled Substances & Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA)

• 98.1 Controlled Substances: Possession with Intent to Distribute — 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
• 98.2 Controlled Substances: Distribution — 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
• 99 Controlled Substances: Unlawful Use of a Communication Facility — 21 U.S.C. § 843(b)
• 100 Controlled Substances: Narcotics Conspiracy — 21 U.S.C. § 846 & 21 U.S.C. § 963
• 101.1 Defense Instruction: Withdrawal from Narcotics Conspiracy (Quantity of Drugs)
• 101.2 Defense Instruction: Withdrawal from Narcotics Conspiracy (Statute of Limitations)
• 102.1 Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE / “Kingpin Statute”) — 21 U.S.C. § 848
• 102.2 Continuing Criminal Enterprise: Murder in Furtherance — 21 U.S.C. § 848(e)
• 103 Distribution or Manufacturing Near Schools or Public Housing — 21 U.S.C. § 860
• 104 Controlled Substances: Importation — 21 U.S.C. § 952(a)
• 117.1 MDLEA: Possession on Vessel of the United States / Subject to U.S. Jurisdiction — 46 U.S.C. § 70503(a)
• 117.2 MDLEA: Possession on Vessel by U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien — 46 U.S.C. § 70503(a)

Tax, Environmental, Aviation, & Regulatory Offenses

• 7 Failure to Pay Child Support Obligations — 18 U.S.C. § 228(a)(3)
• 105 Possession or Transfer of Non-Tax-Paid Distilled Spirits — 26 U.S.C. §§ 5604(a)(1) & 5301(d)
• 107.1 Tax Evasion: General Charge — 26 U.S.C. § 7201
• 107.2 Tax Evasion Theory: Net Worth Method
• 107.3 Tax Evasion Theory: Bank-Deposits Method
• 107.4 Tax Evasion Theory: Cash Expenditures Method
• 108 Willful Failure to File a Return, Supply Information, or Pay Tax — 26 U.S.C. § 7203
• 109.1 Fraud and False Statements: Declaration Under Penalties of Perjury — 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)
• 109.2 Fraud and False Statements: Aiding or Assisting in Preparation of False Tax Documents — 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2)
• 110 Fraudulent Returns, Statements, or Other Documents — 26 U.S.C. § 7207
• 111 Impeding or Obstructing the IRS (Omnibus Clause) — 26 U.S.C. § 7212(a)
• 113 Clean Water Act: Knowingly Discharging Pollutants Without a Permit — 33 U.S.C. §§ 1311(a) & 1319(c)(2)(A)
• 118 Assaulting or Intimidating a Flight Crew Member or Attendant (Without Weapon) — 49 U.S.C. § 46504
• 119 Attempting to Board an Aircraft with a Concealed Weapon or Explosive — 49 U.S.C. § 46505(b)

Finding a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Tampa

Call the experienced attorneys at Sammis Law Firm to discuss your case. Our offices are conveniently located just a block from the federal courthouse in downtown Tampa (known as the Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse).

Let us put our experience to work for you for any criminal charge being prosecuted in federal court or for any serious felony criminal investigation conducted by federal agents. Whether your case involves a violation of the United States Code (USC) or the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), we can help.

Whether your charges are for an infraction, a misdemeanor, to a serious felony charge, having an experienced criminal defense attorney that understands the federal justice system can make all the difference in how your case is resolved.

We represent clients charged with various federal crimes, from white-collar crimes to drug trafficking to crimes involving the exporting or smuggling of firearms.

Call (813) 250-0500 today to discuss your case.

This article was last updated on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.