Under federal law, it’s a crime not only to commit extortion or threatening conduct, but also to receive, possess, conceal, or dispose of money or other property obtained through extortion when you know it was unlawfully obtained. If convicted of receiving the proceeds of extortion, you can face up to three years in federal prison. Please contact a skilled criminal defense attorney now if you’re facing charges of a federal crime.
What Does “Receiving the Proceeds of Extortion” Mean?
18 USC 880 is the federal statute criminalizing the act of receiving the proceeds of extortion. In plain language, the law makes it illegal for someone to knowingly:
- Receive,
- Possess,
- Conceal, or
- Dispose of
any money or property that was obtained through an act of extortion.
Extortion in this context includes various federal offenses involving threats, coercion, or intimidation that result in someone giving up money or property.
Importantly, you don’t have to be the person who committed the extortion itself to be charged with this offense. If you simply knew that the property you handled was the product of extortion, then that could be enough for federal prosecutors to pursue a crime.
Examples of Extortion Proceeds Covered by the Law
“Extortion proceeds” can be anything of value, including money, goods, services, or other property that was obtained through coercive or threatening conduct.
Common scenarios involving federal extortion statutes include:
- Payments obtained by threatening someone through interstate communications, like texts, emails, or phone calls,
- Ransom or blackmail funds derived from threats sent through U.S. mail,
- Kickbacks from public works or construction employees under federal jurisdiction, and
- Extortionate payments related to threats against public officials or international delegates.
Under federal law, these are serious offenses and the law doesn’t just punish the people who make the threats. The law also reaches those who knowingly benefit from the criminal proceeds.
Penalties for Receiving Extortion Proceeds
A conviction under 18 USC 880 is punishable by:
- Confinement in federal prison for up to 3 years, and/or
- Significant fines.
In addition to incarceration and monetary penalties, federal prosecutions often involve forfeiture of the illegal proceeds you handled. This means the government can seek to seize those assets as part of the case.
Defending Against Proceeds of Extortion Charges
Given the complexity of federal prosecutions and the specific knowledge elements required, a strong defense hinges on challenging the government’s proof of intent and knowledge.
Common defense strategies may include:
- Arguing you did not actually know the property was obtained through extortion,
- Demonstrating lack of intent to benefit from the proceeds, and
- Protecting your rights during federal investigations and negotiations.
Federal prosecutors must meet a high legal standard to secure a conviction, and an effective defense counsel knows how and when to challenge every element of their case.
Contact Black & Askerov for Help
While a defendant can raise a legal defense to challenge involving extortion proceeds, it will take a skilled criminal defense attorney to raise the best defense. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Black & Askerov have over 30 years of combined experience defending clients on various federal charges. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers also have the skill and commitment that makes all the difference in these cases. Contact us now to get the legal help you deserve!
