Facing federal conspiracy allegations? A federal conspiracy defense lawyer in East St. Louis, IL defends people accused of agreeing to break federal law — 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.
If convicted, you could face up to five years in prison — or far longer depending on the crime involved. Because these charges are built on intent and association, you need a smart, early defense strategy to avoid the worst outcomes.
Quick Summary: What You’ll Learn
- The basics of federal conspiracy law
- What prosecutors must prove
- 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 plan failed or was never completed.
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.
Several individuals agree to import fentanyl analogues from overseas to sell online. - Intent – All parties willingly joined knowing the action was criminal.
Examples:
A person knowingly agrees to serve as a getaway driver for a federal bank fraud scheme.
An individual agrees to sign off on false invoices to help a friend defraud Medicare. - Overt Act – A single act was committed that advanced the illegal agreement in some way.
Examples: Creating fake tax returns for a fraudulent refund scheme, calling a bank to ask about a fake account, or printing fake documents to support the plan.
What Must East St. Louis, IL Prosecutors Prove in a Federal Conspiracy Case?
Prosecutors have to prove every element of the case beyond a reasonable doubt — no shortcuts.
That means proving the plan’s size, who joined in, and what steps were taken to make it happen.
Key issues in a federal conspiracy case include:
- Scope of the agreement – Was this a single illegal act or part of a longer-term scheme?
- Specific role – Did the accused actively join the conspiracy, or were they just connected to others who did?
- Timing and overt act – When was the agreement made, and what act showed they were serious about it?
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 East St. Louis, IL
Federal prosecutors often use conspiracy charges to go after multiple defendants at once. Drug and fraud conspiracies are the most common, but the law applies far beyond those areas.
Below are some of the most frequent federal conspiracy allegations our East St. Louis, IL clients face:
Criminal Federal Conspiracy Crime Examples
- Drug Trafficking Conspiracy (21 U.S.C. § 846)
Plan to produce, move, or sell illegal drugs across state or national lines. - 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
Plan to interfere with law enforcement or the courts by hiding or destroying information. - 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)
Plot involving threats or violence aimed at U.S. interests, whether successful or not. - Tax Evasion Conspiracy
Plan to break federal tax laws through deception or underreporting. - Environmental Crimes Conspiracy
Working together to ignore or violate environmental protection standards. - Securities Fraud Conspiracy
Coordinated plan to mislead investors or manipulate financial markets.
Penalties for Conspiracy Under Federal Law
Conspiracy charges under 18 U.S.C. § 371 carry up to 5 years in prison or a $250,000 fine. However, that’s only the base penalty. If the plan involved a more serious federal offense — like drug trafficking or terrorism — then the punishment is based on that offense instead. That means you could face decades in prison even if the crime never actually happened.
Sentencing is guided by federal rules that apply to all felony cases. 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
No single defense fits every case, but here are some of the most common (and effective) ways to challenge a conspiracy charge:
- No agreement
If the prosecution can’t prove you knowingly agreed to the crime, there’s no conspiracy. - Lack of intent
Intent is key — if you didn’t knowingly agree to do something illegal, that can be a strong defense. - No overt act
The law requires at least one concrete action — without it, the conspiracy charge may fail. - Entrapment
Entrapment applies if you were convinced or forced by the government to take part. - Mistaken identity or role
You might be named in a case but have played no actual part in the crime. - Procedural violations
If the government broke rules during arrest, search, or wiretaps, your attorney can push to throw out evidence.
Are Federal Conspiracy Charges in East St. Louis, 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’s what makes these cases hard to fight. 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’re handled in U.S. District Court, often involve complex investigations by agencies like the FBI or IRS, and follow strict federal sentencing guidelines. Because federal prosecutors are well-funded and highly trained, hiring the right defense lawyer early can be key.
Why Choose Our East St. Louis, IL Federal Defense Team
When you’re facing a serious federal conspiracy charge, you need a federal criminal defense lawyer in East St. Louis, IL with experience and expertise in federal courts. These are just a few reasons why people in East St. Louis, IL turn to us for federal criminal defense:
- Our firm brings six decades of combined experience to federal conspiracy and criminal defense cases.
- We’ve handled more than 10,000 criminal cases, from drug and fraud conspiracies to obstruction and white collar investigations.
- 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. You can reach out for case updates any time — it won’t cost you extra.
- You’ll have direct access to your attorney throughout your case, not just a paralegal or receptionist.
Contact a Federal Conspiracy Defense Lawyer in East St. Louis, IL
Charged or under investigation for federal conspiracy? You need to act fast. Federal cases move fast, and early action can make or break your defense. Our East St. Louis, IL federal defense team is ready to act immediately.
We represent clients at all stages — from target letter to indictment to sentencing — and fight to safeguard your rights.
Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with a federal conspiracy defense lawyer in East St. Louis, IL.
