Category Archives: Money Laundering Charges

Texas in the 2017 DEA National Drug Threat Assessment

A few weeks ago, the Drug Enforcement Administration released its annual drug crime report, entitled the 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment.  It’s published as the government’s latest “…comprehensive strategic assessment of threats posed to our communities by transnational criminal organizations and the illicit drugs they distribute throughout the United States.”  (Report, page 7.) 2017 DEA…


WHITE COLLAR CRIME: INDICTMENTS OF TEXAS PROFESSIONALS

When Suits Are Arrested White collar crime prosecutions for various kinds of fraud, among other things, are popping up all over Texas right now.  Professionals in nice suits and enjoying swanky life styles are getting  arrested and charged for all sorts of felonies.   What is White Collar Crime? You probably know more about “white collar…


5 Things to Know About Money Laundering in Texas

Major money laundering arrests make the news here in North Texas all the time, and it’s a crime that seems to be a favorite plot device in movies and TV shows. But what exactly is money laundering – and more to the point, if you think that you are being investigated for money laundering, then…


Federal Forfeiture Reform: 81% Property Seized By DOJ from People Never Charged With a Crime

Last week, the Office of the Inspector General in the Department of Justice published its report on federal civil forfeiture, entitled “Review of the Department’s Oversight of Cash Seizure and Forfeiture Activities.” The full report is available online and has been stored in the Michael Lowe Digital Library for your convenience.  Read it here.  …


John Wiley Price Trial: a Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s 10 Things to Know

Back in July 2014, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price was arrested by federal authorities on corruption charges.  It was a real shock.  The entire city reeled from the news of District 3’s “Our Man Downtown” being indicted. For details, read our July 2014 post “The John Wiley Price Case: a Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s…


Will Texas End Civil Forfeiture in 2017?

Right now, the police can take your property and keep it forever even if you are never convicted of any crime.  Things may change soon, though. Here’s the skinny: New Law Proposed to End Civil Forfeiture in Texas In a matter of weeks, state lawmakers will return to Austin for the 85th Biennial Texas Legislative…


Tonya Couch, the Affluenza Teen Mom, and a Lesson in Money Laundering

Money Laundering: a Harsher Sentence than Fraud Charges, Plus the Added Bonus of Forfeiture Actions This post deals with money laundering charges, but we will begin with the backstory.  It starts with the arrest and prosecution of the Affluenza Teen, Ethan Couch. Most everyone here in Dallas and Fort Worth and the rest of North…


Money Laundering and Texas Drug Cartels

Money Laundering Arrests – The Flip Side of the Forfeiture Coin Money laundering in Texas has to happen, it’s a given. Why? The extremely successful Mexican Drug Cartels that operate here (and across the Tex-Mex border) must have a system to convert the cash revenue generated by their illegal business activities into legitimate and viable…


Forfeiture Funds are Back as Equitable Sharing Program Gears Up in Dallas County and State of Texas

Back in March, the Department of Justice issued a news release that had to have been met with lots of joy in law enforcement offices all over the State of Texas: the “Equitable Sharing Program” was back, effective immediately! Both the March 28, 2016 Letter Sent by the Department of Justice to State, Local, and…


North Texas Banks, Drug Cartels, and Money Laundering in Dallas

When a business is involved in illegal activity, operating on a cash basis is smart. It’s not easy for law enforcement to track dollars like it is for them to access and monitor checking accounts or online business transactions. Maybe you’ve heard the stories of Pablo Escobar having so much cash in hand that his…