Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by
Many criminal acts committed in Illinois violate both state and federal laws. These crimes may involve activity that takes place on federal property or is alleged to take place across state lines.
Attorney General William Barr has sent hundreds of federal officers to Chicago, aimed at fighting gang violence and reducing homicide rates. These new resources join existing federal efforts to address violent crime in the city.
Violent Crimes
Federal Crimes Chicago are grouped into two main categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors generally carry a maximum prison sentence of one year, while felony cases can result in more than a century in prison.
Our office collaborates with federal and state law enforcement partners — including the FBI, ATF, IRS-CI, ISP, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Chicago Police Department (CPD), Illinois State Crime Laboratory, and Rockford Police Department — to investigate and prosecute violent crimes. This work includes participation in a national gun violence reduction initiative known as Project Safe Neighborhoods, which connects local leaders with federal enforcement and community-based prevention and treatment resources to pursue lasting reductions in firearm crime.
Our office also leads the Chicago Firearms Trafficking Strike Force, one of five Department of Justice multi-jurisdictional strike forces to identify patterns, lead and suspect information in violent gun crimes. These investigations have been bolstered by ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) which allows authorities to quickly link weapons used in shooting incidents and identify “trigger-pullers.”.
Drug Trafficking
A criminal conviction for drug trafficking can have devastating consequences. A conviction will likely halt your career and educational opportunities, and it can prevent you from spending time with your family.
Chicago drug defense attorney Darryl Goldberg handles cases in federal court throughout the country, and he will work hard to preserve your freedom and obtain the best possible outcome for your case. He understands that the statutory and collateral penalties for a conviction are severe, and he will fight to have evidence suppressed or your case dismissed.
A Chicago street gang leader and seven other people were charged with federal drug crimes in connection with an investigation of heroin and fentanyl sales on the city’s West Side. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch of the Northern District of Illinois; Special Agent in Charge James M. Gibbons of the FBI; and Special Agent in Charge Gary Hartwig of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago, who also provided substantial assistance.
Money Laundering
Money laundering involves transferring the proceeds of illegal actions to make them appear legitimate. It is a serious crime that can carry severe penalties if you are convicted in Illinois. A skilled criminal defense attorney can examine the details of your case and poke holes in the prosecution’s case to get your charges reduced or dropped.
A Chicago money laundering lawyer can also use a defense such as arguing that you did not know that the funds in your financial transaction came from an unlawful source. To get a conviction, prosecutors must prove that you knew that the funds in your financial transaction were derived from criminal activity.
The prosecutor must also prove that you designed your financial transactions to conceal that the funds were derived from an illegal activity. Your lawyer can use a defense such as duress to prove that you were coerced or threatened by a third party into participating in the unlawful activities.
Racketeering
Federal law defines racketeering as the commission of a series of crimes connected to one another, known as a pattern of racketeering activity. It is a serious offense that could carry a life sentence in prison. If you have been charged with racketeering, a Chicago federal crimes lawyer should be consulted right away.
The feds are investigating a number of aldermen in Chicago, and some of them have already been convicted. A case involving current Chicago Alderman Ed Burke was announced this week and is alleged to involve bribery, extortion and other felony charges.
The investigation is reportedly focused on Burke’s alleged attempt to extort business from the owners of a company that operates a number of fast food restaurants in the city. He is accused of using his position as a city council member and his connection to the political machine to steer business to his private law firm. The extortion charge alone carries a maximum 20-year prison term.
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