Money Laundering in the State of Texas

 

 

 

Money laundering is a broad term attached to assets gained from an illegal activity, such as the drug trade, wire fraud, illegal gambling, mail fraud, etc. While most people associate money laundering with activities such as using fake names or aliases, fake bank accounts, or routing money through foreign countries to avoid certain tax penalties, you can also be charged with money laundering for simply having a large sum of cash on your person that you cannot prove you legally obtained.

 

If you have been accused of money laundering, it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. Jason Trumpler is an experienced criminal defense attorney who has represented thousands of clients. Contact our offices today at (512) 457-5200.

 

 

Many money laundering charges are filed concurrently with other felonies. A money laundering conviction can be devastating to an individual’s career, personal life, finances, and future housing opportunities.

 

If you are pulled over or detained for an unrelated charge, and the police officer finds a large sum of cash on you, the burden will be on you to prove that you obtained the cash through a legal activity. Often the officer will look for related paraphernalia that would suggest you are engaged in a criminal activity, such as drugs, scales, plastic bags, etc. If the officer is able to also locate illegal paraphernalia, this corroborates the charge. It is common for other felony charges to be filed concurrent with a money laundering charge.

 

The court will ask you for invoiced receipts that prove the cash came from a legitimate, legal business. This is one of the few times in a courtroom setting where you must prove that you are innocent, rather than the court proving that you are guilty.

 

If convicted, the severity of punishment depends on the amount of cash involved:

• $2,500-$29,999: State jail felony with between 6-months to 2-years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

• $30,000-$149,999: 3rd degree felony with between 2-years to 10-years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

• $150,000-$299,999: 2nd degree felony with between 2-years to 20-years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

• $300,000 or more: 1st degree felony with between 5-years to 99-years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

 

In addition to prison time, if you are convicted of money laundering the government may try to seize your assets such as the contents of your bank account or your physical property like your home or car.

 

 

If you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to help fight money laundering charges, contact our office at 512-457-5200 today. Jason Trumpler has more than 15-years of criminal law experience in Texas and California.  Austin Money Laundering Defense Attorney Jason Trumpler represents people in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, Comal, Bastrop, Burnet, Lee, and Bell counties. Call (512) 457-5200.