Federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI, IRS, DEA, and OIG are actively engaged in numerous criminal investigations and prosecutions across the state of Texas.
These include a variety of crimes, including drug trafficking, where the DEA and other agencies target large-scale drug trafficking operations, including those involving fentanyl and other opioids.
There have been recent cases involving fentanyl pill press operators, dealers tied to juvenile overdoses, and drug traffickers operating through international networks.
The United States Justice Department (DOJ) announced indictments against gang members for drug-related violence, including murder.
On issues related to healthcare fraud, the FBI, along with the HHS-OIG, investigates schemes involving fraudulent medical claims, kickbacks, and illegal diversion of prescription drugs.
In the Northern District of Texas, a case charged four individuals with over $210 million in healthcare fraud. Another case involved a physician convicted in a $16 million Medicare fraud scheme.
The United States Justice System
The U.S. justice system is divided into federal and state courts. Federal courts have jurisdiction and authority to prosecute federal criminal offenses, while state courts decide on violations of state offenses.
There are 95 federal districts in the United States, including four in the state of Texas, including:
- Northern District of Texas. This includes federal courts in Dallas, Fort Worth, Abilene, Amarillo, San Angelo, Wichita Falls, and Lubbock.
- Western District of Texas. This includes federal courts in Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Midland-Odessa, Waco, Del Rio, and Pecos.
- Southern District of Texas. This includes federal courts in Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Brownsville, Victoria, and McAllen.
- Eastern District of Texas. This includes federal courts in Tyler, Beaumont, Lufkin, Sherman, Marshall, and Texarkana.
Primary Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
The main federal law enforcement agencies that investigate federal offenses in the state of Texas include the following:
- Department of Homeland Security,
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),
- Office of Inspector General (OIG),
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
FBI investigations include violent crime and gang-related offenses. IRS prosecutions include tax fraud and evasion cases, such as family members facing charges related to a multimillion-dollar tax refund fraud scheme using fraudulent trusts.
DEA enforcement actions include investigating and prosecuting numerous cases related to drug trafficking across Texas, with recent sentences including individuals involved in fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin distribution.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) cases include healthcare fraud schemes. Recent investigations resulted in charges against individuals involved in schemes totaling over $210 million, including alleged kickbacks related to COVID-19 tests.
Common Federal Prosecutions in Texas
You will often know you are under investigation if you receive formal notice from the U.S. Attorney's Office by way of a target letter, a grand jury subpoena, or other forms of correspondence from an Assistant United States Attorney.
You can also find out when federal agents visit your residence or business to execute a search warrant or federal arrest warrant.
Since investigations are not public, it is important to act immediately at the earliest sign of an investigation. Some of the common federal laws used for prosecution in Texas include the following:
- 18 U.S.C. 1347 Healthcare Fraud
- 18 U.S.C. 1349 Conspiracy to Commit Healthcare Fraud
- 18 U.S.C. 1035 False Statements Relating to Healthcare
- 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(b)(2) Payment of Illegal Remuneration
- 21 U.S.C. 841 Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics
- 21 U.S.C. 846 Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Fentanyl, Carfentanil, Methamphetamine, Heroin, Marijuana, or Cocaine.
- 18 U.S.C. 1341 Mail Fraud
- 18 U.S.C. 1343 Wire Fraud
- 18 U.S.C. 1956 Money Laundering
- 18 U.S.C. 1349 Conspiracy to Commit Wire or Mail Fraud
What If I Receive a Target Letter?
Suppose you receive a target letter from any of the U.S. Attorney's Offices in Texas. In that case, it means that the federal government formally informs you that they have reason to believe that you violated a federal criminal statute or that you aided and assisted someone else in committing a federal offense.
Notably, target letters are common in Texas. They are not public, meaning only you and the federal government are aware of them. It's also important to note that no case has been filed against you.
Upon receiving a target letter, the investigation essentially concludes. However, this notice provides defense attorneys with an opportunity to respond to the invitation from the prosecutor, typically contained in the last paragraph of the target letter, to meet and discuss the issue.
This meeting is a crucial step in the legal process and can significantly impact the outcome of the case.
At Eisner Gorin LLP, we have convinced federal prosecutors who have issued target letters not to actually bring formal criminal charges by making persuading presentations at the U.S. Attorney's Office on behalf of our targeted client.
It's crucial to understand that target letters are serious and cannot be ignored. Immediate action is necessary. If you've received a target letter, don't hesitate. Contact one of our experienced Texas federal criminal defense lawyers right away.
We will discuss the issue with you, hear your side of the story, and then open a dialogue with the federal prosecutor.
How to Avoid the Most Severe Penalties for Federal Offenses
Federal felony convictions carry up to 10 years in federal prison, but others, like mail and wire fraud and many violent offenses, carry up to 20 years per offense.
Notably, however, you will only be sentenced if you are convicted or decide to plead guilty. Our goal, as you federal defense lawyer, is to prevent this from happening.
Most federal judges in Texas will follow the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. These guidelines have complex arithmetic and mathematical formulas that allow the U.S. Probation Office to recommend a sentence range to the judge.
This recommendation plays a significant role in the sentencing process, and our federal criminal defense attorneys can challenge and object to it prior to the sentencing hearing.
Prior to the sentencing hearing, our defense attorneys can effectively challenge and object to the U.S. Probation Office's recommendation, potentially influencing the judge's decision in your favor.
Why You Need a Federal Defense Lawyer
With the aggressive practices of the Department of Justice and Office of the Attorney General, prosecutors, and harsh sentencing guidelines, federal criminal defendants need an experienced advocate who understands federal procedures and possesses a track record of success.
In Texas, there has been a substantial increase in arrests, federal criminal charges, and an expansion of search warrants and arrest warrants.
There has also been an increase in FBI agents attempting to interview suspects, witnesses, and alleged victims. There is also an increase in target letters from the U.S. Attorney's Office and Grand Jury subpoenas seeking records and testimony.
Our federal criminal defense attorneys, with their extensive experience and successful track record in federal court, are well-equipped to handle your case. For more information, contact our federal criminal defense law firm, Eisner Gorin LLP, located in Los Angeles, California.
Related Content:
