18 U.S.C. § 1117 – Conspiracy to Commit Murder
This statute criminalizes conspiracies to commit federal murder offenses, even if no killing occurs.
What this statute does.
Section 1117 makes it a federal crime for two or more people to conspire to commit certain murder offenses under federal law, so long as at least one overt act is taken in furtherance of the conspiracy.
The statute focuses on agreement and action, not completion of the murder.
Covered murder statutes.
A conspiracy charge under § 1117 applies when the agreement targets a violation of:
- 18 U.S.C. § 1111 – Murder
- 18 U.S.C. § 1114 – Killing federal officers or employees
- 18 U.S.C. § 1116 – Murder of foreign officials or internationally protected persons
- 18 U.S.C. § 1119 – Foreign murder of U.S. nationals
Key elements prosecutors must show.
- An agreement between two or more persons to commit a covered murder offense
- Knowledge and intent to further the unlawful objective
- At least one overt act taken to advance the conspiracy
No completed homicide is required.
Penalties.
Each conspirator may be sentenced to:
- Imprisonment for any term of years, or
- Life imprisonment
Sentencing exposure often mirrors the underlying murder statute targeted by the conspiracy.
Why this statute matters.
Section 1117 allows prosecutors to intervene early and charge participants whose roles may be indirect, logistical, or preparatory. It is frequently paired with substantive murder or attempt charges when the conduct escalates.
If you are under investigation or charged with conspiracy to commit a federal homicide offense, call (314) 900-HELP or
contact our federal criminal defense attorneys.
