In Florida, and throughout the country, extortion is aggressively prosecuted. The person accused of extortion is not the only one at risk of being convicted, as the person who receives the proceeds from the exchange can also be arrested and charged. These charges are extremely serious and can have devastating implications for the defendant, as he may be forced to undergo a lengthy investigation and trial and eventually serve up to three years in prison. If you have been charged with this type of crime, it is critical to speak to an experienced economic crime attorney who can ensure that your rights are protected.
Prohibited Acts
Under federal law, a person can be convicted of receiving the proceeds of extortion if the prosecution can demonstrate that the defendant received, concealed, possessed, or disposed of money or property obtained through extortion. However, to obtain a conviction, prosecutors must also demonstrate that the defendant knew that the funds were illegally obtained through the commission of one of the following extortion-related crimes:
- Threats against the President of the United States and successors to the Presidency;
- Extortion by an officer or employee of the United States;
- Blackmail, including not reporting against another person in exchange for money or valuables;
- Receive bribes from public works employees;
- Demand a bailout payment, threaten someone with kidnapping, or attempt to extort money from someone using interstate communications;
- Send threatening communications related to extortion, ransom payment or kidnapping;
- Send threatening communications from a foreign country;
- Threatening or attempting to extort foreign officials, official guests, or internationally protected individuals;
- Threatening former Presidents or their families, family members of the President or Vice President, main candidates for the office of President or their relatives, or any person protected by the Secret Service.
This offense can be prosecuted in any state or federal court. However, if a threat affects a federal employee, including government workers, designated personnel, or elected officials, the case will automatically be tried by a federal prosecutor. In fact, a case can be brought in federal court when the alleged victim was not a federal entity, as long as the crime involved a threat that crossed state lines.
Call Today To Schedule A Free Consultation With An Experienced Economic Crime Attorney
Federal economic crimes tend to carry much more severe penalties than their state counterparts, making it especially important for defendants to obtain the advice of an experienced attorney as soon as possible. If you have been charged with extortion or another financial crime in Miami, contact Jeffrey S. Weiner, PA, Criminal Defense Attorneys at (305) 985-6640 to discuss your case with an economic crime attorney. You can also contact us by starting a live chat with a member of our legal team or by filling out one of our forms. Include your phone number, email address, and a brief description of your case.