Facing federal conspiracy allegations? A federal conspiracy defense lawyer in Marion County, 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.
Penalties start at five years, but some conspiracy convictions carry decades behind bars. 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
- How federal conspiracy charges work
- The three elements the government needs to win
- 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?
Conspiracy under federal law happens when people plan to break U.S. law and one of them takes action to move the plan forward — even if the actual crime never occurred.
To convict someone under 18 U.S.C. § 371, federal prosecutors must show three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- Agreement – Two or more people agreed to commit a federal crime or to defraud the government.
Examples:
An IT consultant and a client agree to submit fake cybersecurity compliance reports to a federal agency.
Several individuals agree to import fentanyl analogues from overseas to sell online. - Intent – Everyone involved knew the plan was against the law and chose to take part.
Examples:
Someone agrees to help move money they know is tied to drug sales — not by accident or mistake.
An individual agrees to sign off on false invoices to help a friend defraud Medicare. - Overt Act – Any step was taken by someone to move the plan forward, even if it seems minor.
Examples: Creating fake tax returns for a fraudulent refund scheme, sending an encrypted email outlining the plan, or printing fake documents to support the plan.
What Must Marion County, IL Prosecutors Prove in a Federal Conspiracy Case?
Every detail of the conspiracy must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt for the government to win the case.
They must show the scope of the agreement, each person’s role, and what actions were taken to support it.
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 – Did they truly agree to break the law, or were they simply nearby when things happened?
- 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 Marion County, IL
Federal prosecutors often use conspiracy charges to go after multiple defendants at once. Most people think of drugs or fraud, but conspiracy charges can apply to nearly any federal crime.
These are the types of conspiracy cases we most frequently handle in Marion County, IL:
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)
Agreement to commit financial fraud, often through electronic messages or fake documents. - Obstruction of Justice Conspiracy
Agreement to prevent justice through tampering, intimidation, or destruction of records. - Firearms Conspiracy
Plan to traffic or use firearms in a way that breaks federal law. - Immigration Conspiracy
Two or more people agree to help others enter or stay in the U.S. illegally. - Public Corruption Conspiracy
Agreement to use government power for personal gain — like kickbacks or rigged contracts. - 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)
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
Agreement to deceive others for financial gain through stock or investment fraud.
Penalties for Conspiracy Under Federal Law
The standard penalty for conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371 is up to 5 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. However, that’s only the base penalty. When the conspiracy is tied to a major crime, the penalty usually matches the seriousness of that offense. 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. Judges will consider things like your prior offenses, involvement in the conspiracy, and other important facts.
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
The law requires at least one concrete action — without it, the conspiracy charge may fail. - Entrapment
When federal agents pressure someone into doing something they wouldn’t normally do, that can be a defense. - Mistaken identity or role
You might be named in a case but have played no actual part in the crime. - Procedural violations
Unlawful surveillance or sloppy warrants can lead to evidence being tossed.
Are Federal Conspiracy Charges in Marion County, IL Hard to Beat?
Yes — since prosecutors don’t have to show that the crime actually happened. If even one person takes a step toward the plan, that alone can trigger a conspiracy charge. That’s what makes these cases hard to fight. But the right legal defense can still expose flaws in the case, challenge key elements, and protect your rights. Acting early gives your lawyer more leverage — especially before indictment.
Facing a federal charge is very different than facing one in state court. They take place in federal court and often involve major agencies like the FBI or IRS, with strict federal rules at every step. Because federal prosecutors are well-funded and highly trained, hiring the right defense lawyer early can be key.
Why Choose Our Marion County, 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. These are just a few reasons why people in Marion County, IL turn to us for federal criminal defense:
- We’ve spent more than 60 years defending people accused of serious crimes, including federal conspiracies.
- We’ve handled more than 10,000 criminal cases, from drug and fraud conspiracies to obstruction and white collar investigations.
- Our attorneys are trial-tested and licensed to practice in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
- Forget hourly fees — we use transparent flat rates, so you won’t get surprised by your legal bill. 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 Marion County, IL
Charged or under investigation for federal conspiracy? Time is critical. These cases move quickly — and what you do now can shape the rest of your life. Let our federal defense team in Marion 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.
