If you’re accused of federal conspiracy in Washington County, IL, a federal conspiracy defense lawyer can protect your rights — even if that crime never happened. Under 18 U.S.C. § 371, it’s illegal for two or more people to intentionally agree to break federal law or defraud the United States, and for at least one of them to take a step toward making it happen.
That’s all it takes:
Agreement + intent + overt act = a federal felony conspiracy charge.
Penalties start at five years, but some conspiracy convictions carry decades behind bars. These cases often involve multiple people and aggressive prosecutors — and they move fast.
Quick Summary: What You’ll Learn
- What makes a conspiracy case under federal law
- The three elements the government needs to win
- Common types of federal conspiracy cases
- Possible penalties and minimums
- Steps you can take right now to protect yourself
What Is a Federal Conspiracy Charge?
You can face a federal conspiracy charge just for agreeing to commit a crime and doing something small to help make it happen — even if the actual crime never occurred.
To convict someone under 18 U.S.C. § 371, there are three things the law requires prosecutors to prove:
- Agreement – The individuals made a shared plan to do something illegal under federal law.
Examples:
Two contractors agree to overbill a federal housing project to pocket the difference.
Two roommates plan to traffic prescription pills using the postal service. - Intent – Everyone involved knew the plan was against the law and chose to take part.
Examples:
An employee knowingly agrees to leak confidential federal data for a bribe.
An individual agrees to sign off on false invoices to help a friend defraud Medicare. - Overt Act – One of the people did something to help carry out the plan, even a small thing.
Examples: Driving a package of counterfeit goods to a drop location, sending an encrypted email outlining the plan, or deleting emails that could be used as evidence.
What Must Washington County, IL Prosecutors Prove in a Federal Conspiracy Case?
To convict you, prosecutors must prove each part of the conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.
This includes showing what the plan was, who was involved, and how it moved forward.
Key issues in a federal conspiracy case include:
- Scope of the agreement – Was the conspiracy focused on one offense or part of something larger?
- Specific role – Was the defendant a willing participant, or just associated with people under suspicion?
- Timing and overt act – What action moved the conspiracy from idea to execution?
For more details, see the DOJ’s criminal resource manual on conspiracy or Cornell’s overview of 18 U.S.C. § 371.
Common Types of Federal Conspiracy Cases in Washington County, IL
Federal prosecutors often use conspiracy charges to go after multiple defendants at once. While drug and financial conspiracies lead the list, federal conspiracy laws cover much more.
Here are the most common types of federal conspiracy charges we see in Washington County, IL:
Criminal Federal Conspiracy Crime Examples
- Drug Trafficking Conspiracy (21 U.S.C. § 846)
Two or more people agree to make, move, or sell controlled substances illegally. - Fraud Conspiracy (wire, mail, bank, healthcare)
Two or more people plan to cheat a person, business, or agency out of money or property — often using phones, email, or mail. - Obstruction of Justice Conspiracy
Agreement to prevent justice through tampering, intimidation, or destruction of records. - Firearms Conspiracy
Agreement to illegally get, sell, or use guns — often tied to other serious crimes. - Immigration Conspiracy
Two or more people agree to help others enter or stay in the U.S. illegally. - Public Corruption Conspiracy
Plan between officials or contractors to abuse public trust or funds. - Civil Rights Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 241)
Agreement to harm or threaten someone because they exercised their legal rights. - Terrorism-Related Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 2332b)
Plan to commit violence against the U.S. or its people, even if it never happens. - Tax Evasion Conspiracy
Team effort to cheat the IRS, often by hiding income or filing false returns. - Environmental Crimes Conspiracy
Plan to harm the environment or cover up violations of federal environmental rules. - Securities Fraud Conspiracy
Agreement to deceive others for financial gain through stock or investment fraud.
Penalties for Conspiracy Under Federal Law
Under 18 U.S.C. § 371, conspiracy can bring up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. But that’s just the starting point. If the plan involved a more serious federal offense — like drug trafficking or terrorism — then the punishment is based on that offense instead. So, you might still get decades behind bars — even if no one completed the crime.
Federal sentencing guidelines also apply. This includes looking at your background, what part you played, and any special factors in your case.
Federal Conspiracy Penalties
| Type of Conspiracy | Penalty Range |
|---|---|
| General Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371) | Up to 5 years in prison |
| Drug Conspiracy (21 U.S.C. § 846) | 5–40 years or life, depending on drug amount |
| Fraud Conspiracy | Based on the underlying fraud (often 20+ years) |
| Obstruction Conspiracy | Up to 20 years |
| Firearms Conspiracy | 5–20 years depending on type of weapon and use |
| Terrorism Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 2332b) | Up to life in prison |
| Human Trafficking Conspiracy | 10 years to life |
| Public Corruption Conspiracy | Up to 5–20 years depending on offense |
| Civil Rights Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 241) | Up to life if bodily harm or death results |
| Immigration Conspiracy | Up to 10 years (can increase with aggravating factors) |
| Environmental Crimes Conspiracy | Up to 5–20 years based on type and impact |
| Tax Evasion Conspiracy | Up to 5 years per offense |
Defense Strategies Against Federal Conspiracy Allegations
Defending a conspiracy case takes strategy — and these are the approaches that work most often.
- No agreement
Without proof of a clear, knowing agreement, the charge may not hold up. - Lack of intent
Even if you were involved, if you didn’t mean to join an illegal plan, it may not count as conspiracy. - No overt act
If no one took a real step toward the plan, prosecutors may not have enough to convict. - Entrapment
When federal agents pressure someone into doing something they wouldn’t normally do, that can be a defense. - Mistaken identity or role
It’s possible to get swept up in a conspiracy case just for knowing the wrong person. - Procedural violations
Unlawful surveillance or sloppy warrants can lead to evidence being tossed.
Are Federal Conspiracy Charges in Washington County, IL Hard to Beat?
Yes — because even if the crime didn’t occur, prosecutors can still move forward. All it takes is an agreement and a single act toward the plan — even if nothing else happened. That makes these charges especially tough. A strong defense can push back against weak evidence and protect your future. Acting early gives your lawyer more leverage — especially before indictment.
Federal conspiracy charges aren’t like state-level cases. They take place in federal court and often involve major agencies like the FBI or IRS, with strict federal rules at every step. Federal prosecutors tend to be more experienced and have greater resources, which makes a strong, early defense critical.
Why Choose Our Washington County, IL Federal Defense Team
When you’re facing a serious federal conspiracy charge, you need a federal criminal defense lawyer in Washington County, IL with experience and expertise in federal courts. These are just a few reasons why people in Washington County, IL turn to us for federal criminal defense:
- Our firm brings six decades of combined experience to federal conspiracy and criminal defense cases.
- With over 10,000 criminal cases under our belt, we’ve defended clients in everything from white collar conspiracy to obstruction.
- Each member of our defense team is trial-ready and qualified to appear in the U.S. District Court for Southern Illinois.
- No hourly billing — we offer clear, all-inclusive flat-rate fees so you always know what to expect. Need an update or have a concern? You can call without worrying about more fees.
- You’ll have direct access to your attorney throughout your case, not just a paralegal or receptionist.
Contact a Federal Conspiracy Defense Lawyer in Washington County, IL
Charged or under investigation for federal conspiracy? Time is critical. Federal cases move fast, and early action can make or break your defense. Let our federal defense team in Washington County, IL take action on your behalf now.
We represent clients at all stages — from target letter to indictment to sentencing — and fight to safeguard your rights.
Contact us at (314) 900-HELP or reach out through our online form to set up a confidential consultation — free of charge.
