If you’re accused of federal conspiracy in Lebanon, 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.
If convicted, you could face up to five years in prison — or far longer depending on the crime involved. These cases often involve multiple people and aggressive prosecutors — and they move fast.
Quick Summary: What You’ll Learn
- How federal conspiracy charges work
- What prosecutors must prove
- Real-life scenarios that qualify as conspiracy
- What sentences look like under federal law
- How to fight the case before and after indictment
What Is a Federal Conspiracy Charge?
A federal conspiracy charge means two or more people agreed to commit a federal crime and took a step toward doing it — 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 – There was a mutual plan to break federal law or cheat the U.S. government.
Examples:
A business owner and an accountant agree to lie on loan applications to get extra funds.
A group of friends agree to smuggle controlled substances across state lines for resale. - Intent – Each person meant to join the plan and understood it was illegal.
Examples:
An employee knowingly agrees to leak confidential federal data for a bribe.
A person agrees to store illegal firearms for a group under federal investigation. - Overt Act – Any step was taken by someone to move the plan forward, even if it seems minor.
Examples: Buying shipping supplies for the drugs, calling a bank to ask about a fake account, or deleting emails that could be used as evidence.
What Must Lebanon, 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 goal narrow and specific or part of a broader plan with multiple layers?
- Specific role – Did they truly agree to break the law, or were they simply nearby when things happened?
- Timing and overt act – When did the plan begin, and what real step proved it was more than talk?
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 Lebanon, IL
Conspiracy statutes are powerful tools for prosecutors targeting larger groups or broader schemes. Drug and fraud conspiracies are the most common, but the law applies far beyond those areas.
Here are the most common types of federal conspiracy charges we see in Lebanon, 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
Involves working together to move or use guns unlawfully, sometimes with violent intent. - Immigration Conspiracy
Involves plans to smuggle people, falsify documents, or harbor undocumented immigrants. - Public Corruption Conspiracy
Agreement to use government power for personal gain — like kickbacks or rigged contracts. - Civil Rights Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 241)
Working together to stop someone from freely using their constitutional rights. - Terrorism-Related Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 2332b)
Agreement to carry out terrorist activity or aid extremist groups. - 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
Working together on illegal schemes like insider trading or fake accounting.
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. 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.
Sentencing is guided by federal rules that apply to all felony cases. This means your past criminal record, your role in the plan, and other details will affect how much time you might serve.
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
No agreement means no conspiracy — and the case could fall apart. - 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
No overt act? Then the agreement may not meet the legal definition of conspiracy. - Entrapment
If law enforcement pushed or tricked you into joining, your lawyer may raise entrapment. - 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 Lebanon, IL Hard to Beat?
Yes — because prosecutors don’t need to prove the crime was actually completed. Just agreeing to it, along with one overt act by any participant, can be enough. This is why conspiracy charges are especially difficult to beat. Still, an experienced lawyer can find weaknesses in the case and fight back. Acting early gives your lawyer more leverage — especially before indictment.
Federal conspiracy charges are different from state cases in Lebanon, IL. 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. Federal prosecutors tend to be more experienced and have greater resources, which makes a strong, early defense critical.
Why Choose Our Lebanon, IL Federal Defense Team
If you’re dealing with a federal conspiracy charge, you need a seasoned federal defense attorney who understands the federal court system. Here’s what sets our Lebanon, IL federal defense team apart:
- We’ve spent more than 60 years defending people accused of serious crimes, including federal conspiracies.
- With over 10,000 criminal cases under our belt, we’ve defended clients in everything from white collar conspiracy to obstruction.
- Our attorneys are trial-tested and licensed to practice in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
- We don’t charge by the hour — our flat rates give you certainty and peace of mind. You can reach out for case updates any time — it won’t cost you extra.
- Throughout your case, your lawyer — not just office staff — will be available when you need answers.
Contact a Federal Conspiracy Defense Lawyer in Lebanon, IL
Charged or under investigation for federal conspiracy? Don’t wait. What happens next may determine your future, so early legal help is crucial. We’re prepared to step in right away to protect your rights.
Whether you’ve received a target letter, been indicted, or are facing sentencing, we’re here to protect your rights and fight for your future.
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 Lebanon, IL.
