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Rolando Cantu is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Rolando D. Cantu. He is committed to providing aggressive and high level legal representation—successfully defending clients charged with state and federal criminal offenses. He works on every case as a priority with personal attention, while prioritizing their needs. 

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515 Pecan Blvd. McAllen,

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Money Laundering Charges in Mcallen TX

September 17, 2022

Money Laundering Charges in Mcallen TX

If you have been charged with money laundering in Mcallen TX, it is important to understand the charges against you and what defenses may be available. Money laundering is a federal offense that can carry severe penalties, including prison time. An experienced federal criminal defense attorney can review the facts of your case and help you develop the strongest defense possible.

What is Money Laundering?

Money laundering is the process of concealing the source of illegally-obtained money. Often, this involves moving the money through a series of financial transactions in order to make it appear as if the money came from a legitimate source. Money laundering is a federal offense that can be punishable by up to 20 years in prison.


Charges of money laundering are often related to other crimes, such as drug trafficking or fraud. In order to convict someone of money laundering, the government must prove that the person knew the money was derived from a criminal act and took steps to conceal its origins.


Some other things that are considered money laundering in Mcallen TX are:


  • Hiding or transferring money (financial transaction) or assets to avoid taxes
  • Financing terrorist organizations
  • Sanction evasion
  • Making large cash deposits into a bank account and then withdrawing the money in smaller amounts
  • Using a business to funnel illegal proceeds and then reporting false income on tax return
  • Buying assets, such as property or jewelry, with illegal money and then selling those assets for "clean" money

What Are the Penalties for Money Laundering?

Federal money laundering laws impose harsh penalties on those convicted of the offense. The maximum sentence for money laundering is 20 years in prison, although the actual sentence will depend on a number of factors, such as the amount of money involved and whether the defendant has any prior criminal convictions.


Also, even though money laundering offenses are considered federal crimes, they can also be prosecuted under state law. This means that a person could be charged with both federal and state money laundering offenses, which would carry the possibility of even harsher penalties.


State laws are different from federal laws, so it is important to have an experienced
criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with both federal and state money laundering laws.

Federal money laundering

Federal money laundering charges can be extremely serious, with the possibility of long prison sentences. If you have been charged with money laundering, it is important to have a federal criminal defense lawyer on your side.


If you are suspected of doing criminal activity and the government is investigating you for money laundering, you can be
facing up to 20 years in prison. The maximum sentence will depend on a number of factors such as the amount of money involved and if you have any prior criminal convictions.

State money laundering

Even if money laundering is considered a federal crime, some states choose to prosecute it under state law instead. If you’re being prosecuted in multiple states, you could be facing an even harsher sentence.


When you’re convicted of money laundering, the sentence will depend on the state in which you’re prosecuted. Some states offer probation as an alternative to jail time while other states may require you to serve a mandatory minimum sentence.


In Texas, according to the Penal Code, the penalties for money laundering depend on the amount of money involved. If you’re convicted of laundering less than $300, you could be facing a Class C misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $500.


If you’re convicted of laundering more than $300 but less than $20,000, you could be facing a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.


The most serious money laundering offense in Texas is laundering more than $20,000. This is a felony offense that is punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

What are Some Common Defenses to Money Laundering Charges?

When someone has committed money laundering, they usually have some defenses available to them. Some common defenses to money laundering charges include:


  • The Defendant Was Unaware of the Illegality of the Source of the Funds: In order to be convicted of money laundering, the government must prove that the defendant knew that the funds were derived from illegal activity. If the defendant was unaware of the illegality of the source of the funds, they cannot be convicted of money laundering.


  • The Defendant Did Not Take Any Actions to Conceal the Source of Funds: To be convicted of money laundering, it is not enough for the government to show that the defendant merely knew about or should have known about the illegality of the source of funds. The government must also show that the defendant took affirmative steps to conceal or disguise t he source of those funds.


  • The Government Cannot Prove Its Case Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: In any criminal case, including a money laundering case, the burden is on the government to prove its case against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a high standard and if there is any doubt as to whether the government has met its burden, then the defendant should be acquitted.

What are Some Possible Outcomes in a Money Laundering Case?

The possible outcomes in a money laundering case will depend on the severity of the charges and the evidence against the defendant. In some cases, the defendant may be able to get the charges dismissed or reduced. In other cases, the defendant may be found guilty and sentenced to prison.


If the defendant is convicted for a money laundering charge, the sentence will depend on the amount of money involved and the defendant’s criminal history. In some cases, the defendant may be sentenced to probation while in other cases, the defendant may be sentenced to many years in prison.

Contact an experienced federal criminal defense

Money laundering is a serious federal offense that can carry significant penalties if convicted. However, there are defenses that can be raised in response to these charges. If you have been charged with money laundering in McAllen TX, it is important to contact an experienced federal defense attorney who can help you understand your rights and options under the law.


At The Law Office of Rolando Cantu, we have experience representing clients in federal money laundering cases. We will thoroughly investigate your case and help you build the strongest possible defense.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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