Facing Serious Money Laundering Allegations In Texas
Learning that you are under investigation for money laundering, or seeing your name on an indictment, can turn your life upside down. You may be worried about prison, your career, your business, and your family, and you may have federal agents or state investigators already asking questions. At Lance Kennedy Law, we focus our practice on criminal defense in Texas, and we represent people facing complex financial crime accusations, including money laundering.
Our attorney has served as a former Assistant United States Attorney and a former Federal Assistant District Attorney in this field in Austin. That background gives us a detailed understanding of how prosecutors and agents approach money laundering cases, from investigation through trial. If you are in this situation, you do not need general information alone, you need a clear plan and a lawyer who knows this system from the inside.
Understanding Money Laundering Charges & What Is At Stake
To make informed decisions, you need to understand what the government is actually alleging. In simple terms, money laundering accusations claim that you moved, concealed, or handled money while knowing that it came from some kind of unlawful activity, or that you structured transactions to hide the origin or ownership of funds. This can include bank deposits in certain patterns, transfers between accounts, buying or selling assets, or using businesses to pass money through.
Money laundering can be charged under Texas law, under federal law, or both. Texas statutes target transactions that involve proceeds of certain crimes and reach conduct such as investing, spending, or transferring funds with knowledge of their unlawful source. Federal money laundering laws cover financial transactions that use proceeds of specified unlawful activity, as well as attempts to conceal where money came from or who it belongs to. Federal cases often involve larger amounts of money, alleged ties to broader schemes, or multi state activity.
The potential consequences are serious. Depending on the specific charges, the amount of money involved, and your criminal history, penalties can include years in prison, substantial fines, and forfeiture of assets the government claims are connected to the crime. There can also be long term effects on your ability to work in certain industries, maintain professional or occupational licenses, or remain in the United States if you are not a citizen. Even an investigation that does not result in conviction can disrupt your banking relationships and business operations.
Money laundering charges often appear alongside other allegations, such as conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, or drug offenses. The government may also pursue civil or criminal forfeiture of cash, bank accounts, vehicles, or real estate that it believes is connected to the alleged conduct.
Common features of money laundering cases include:
Allegations that funds came from a specific unlawful activity
Use of bank records, ledgers, and financial software to trace transactions
Claims that you knew the funds were unlawful or acted to conceal them
Related charges that increase overall potential penalties
It is important to remember that not every cash oriented business, large deposit, or unusual transaction is a crime. The government still has to prove what you knew and intended, and that the money actually came from a qualifying unlawful source. Part of our work is to make sure those assumptions are tested, not simply accepted.
What To Do If You Are Under A Money Laundering Investigation
Many clients first realize there is a problem when they receive a call or visit from agents, a subpoena for records, or notice that a bank account has been frozen. Your choices in the first days of an investigation can affect how the case unfolds. Knowing what to do, and what not to do, can protect your rights and help your lawyer build a stronger defense.
One common early sign of an investigation is contact from federal agents, such as the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, or Homeland Security Investigations, sometimes working with local officers in the Austin area. They may say they just have a few questions or that they are trying to clear something up. You have the right to decline an interview without a lawyer and to say that you will have an attorney contact them. Exercising that right is not an admission of guilt, it is a basic protection.
You should not destroy, alter, or hide documents, electronic records, or devices. Agents and prosecutors pay close attention to changes made after an investigation becomes known. Deleting files, throwing away ledgers, or changing explanations about past transactions can be interpreted as consciousness of guilt and can create new problems on top of the original allegations.
If you have already spoken to agents, do not panic and do not guess about what you said. Write down everything you remember as soon as you can, including who was present and what topics were discussed. Then bring that information to your lawyer. We regularly meet with people who spoke before they had counsel, and there are still ways to evaluate and address those statements as part of a broader strategy.
Steps to take as soon as you suspect an investigation:
Avoid unrepresented interviews. Politely decline to answer questions until you have a lawyer.
Preserve records. Keep financial documents, emails, and devices intact.
Document contacts. Note dates, times, and names of agents or officers who reach out.
Limit discussions. Talk about the situation only with your attorney.
Contact counsel quickly. Speak with a lawyer who understands financial crime investigations.
Early legal representation is particularly important when subpoenas, target letters, or grand jury appearances are involved. A lawyer can communicate with agents and prosecutors on your behalf, review requests for documents, and advise you on whether and how to respond. At Lance Kennedy Law, we draw on our background as a former federal prosecutor to assess where your situation likely sits on the spectrum from witness to target, and to help you take measured steps instead of reacting in fear.
How A Money Laundering Lawyer Austin Can Approach Your Defense
Money laundering cases are built on narratives. Prosecutors tell a story about where money came from, why transactions took place, and what you must have known. A focused defense begins by testing every part of that story and refusing to accept shortcuts in the government’s proof. As a money laundering criminal lawyer Austin, we approach these cases with careful analysis and a clear plan.
Challenging Intent & Knowledge
One key area is intent and knowledge. The government must usually prove that you knew the money came from criminal activity and that you acted with a particular purpose, such as to conceal ownership or promote further crime. In many real world situations, people handle funds through businesses, accounts, or cash deposits without detailed knowledge of every underlying source. We look at your actual role in the transactions, the information you had at the time, and any legitimate reasons for the way money moved.
Scrutinizing The Alleged Unlawful Source
Another focus is the alleged unlawful source of funds. In some cases, the government treats certain business models, industries, or associates as inherently suspicious. We examine whether the underlying conduct truly qualifies as the type of unlawful activity required for the charge and whether the evidence supports that conclusion. If the government’s foundation is weak, the money laundering allegations built on top of it may also be vulnerable.
Reviewing Financial Traces & Records
Financial tracing is central to many of these cases. Agents often use spreadsheets, software, and charts to trace funds through accounts and across borders. We review how those traces were performed, whether they accurately reflect the records, and whether alternative explanations exist.
Issues we consider when reviewing financial evidence:
Whether the tracing methods fairly reflect the movement of funds
Whether legitimate business purposes explain certain transactions
Whether key records are missing, incomplete, or taken out of context
Whether other people controlled accounts or authorized transfers
Sometimes, a transaction that looks suspicious in isolation makes sense when viewed in the context of legitimate business practices or tax planning.
I appreciate his compassion and proactive strategy that got my son the best possible outcome.
“Lance took the time to talk to me explained the process and scenarios, he answered all my questions I felt completely confident he was the one we needed to represent my son.”
- Jenny B.
I highly recommend Lance for your legal needs.
“Lance Kennedy Law provided excellent service when I needed legal representation for a family member. Their communication was prompt, keeping me up to date on our case.”
- Sandy S.
All in all, I’d give him a 10/10! Great job!
“He was very professional, answered all my questions in a timely matter. Even on the same day”
Could I go to prison for money laundering charges?
It is possible to face prison time for money laundering convictions, but the specific risk depends on the charges, the amount of money involved, your role, and your prior record. Both Texas and federal laws include potential terms of imprisonment that can be measured in years, especially when large sums or related offenses are alleged. Courts generally look at factors such as the seriousness of the underlying conduct, whether there was planning or sophistication, and whether there is a history of similar behavior. In federal court, guidelines and statutes set ranges that judges consider, although judges are not bound to follow them exactly. When we review your case, we speak with you about realistic ranges of outcomes based on the facts and the forum, and we work to reduce that risk where possible.
What should I do if federal agents want to talk to me?
If federal agents contact you and ask to talk, the safest step is usually to politely decline the interview until you have consulted with a lawyer. You can tell them you will have your attorney reach out, and then contact a defense lawyer right away. Speaking without legal advice can lead to misunderstandings or statements that are later used against you, even if you believed you were helping.
As a firm led by a former Assistant United States Attorney, we are familiar with how agents structure interviews and what they are trying to learn. We can communicate with them on your behalf and help you decide whether any contact or cooperation makes sense in your particular situation.
Is it too late to call you if I already spoke to investigators?
It is rarely too late to involve a lawyer, even if you have already spoken to investigators or signed something. Many people talk to agents before they realize the seriousness of the situation or before they understand that they were a focus of the investigation. Once you contact us, we will ask you to describe as accurately as you can what was said and what documents were provided. We then evaluate how those statements fit into the broader case and what steps can be taken next. In some situations, prior statements can be placed in context, clarified, or challenged. Our role is not to judge what you did before calling us, but to help you move forward as effectively as possible.
How soon should I hire a lawyer for a money laundering investigation?
In many situations, hiring a lawyer early in a money laundering investigation is beneficial. Once agents begin contacting people, requesting records, or serving subpoenas, decisions are being made about what charges to pursue and against whom. A lawyer can help you respond to requests for documents, decide whether to speak or decline interviews, and avoid actions that might unintentionally increase risk. As a former federal prosecutor, our attorney understands that there is often a window of time in which the government is still shaping the case. Engaging counsel during that period can help ensure that your perspective is considered and that your rights are protected from the beginning.
Talk With Lance Kennedy Law About Your Money Laundering Case
Money laundering accusations threaten more than a single court date. They can affect your freedom, your finances, and your reputation for years to come. You do not need to navigate agents, subpoenas, and court hearings alone. By speaking with a lawyer who focuses on criminal defense in Texas and has deep experience with federal and financial crime cases, you can begin to replace uncertainty with a plan.
At Lance Kennedy Law, your case is handled by an attorney who is a former Assistant United States Attorney, a former Federal Assistant District Attorney in this field in Austin, and a U.S. Army Judge Advocate with 7 federal jury trials and more than 50 Texas trials. We bring that background, along with advanced education and prior work with agencies like the FBI and IRS, to every money laundering matter we accept. We talk with you candidly about what you are facing and the options available to you.
If you were arrested for DWI, our firm can help you build a strategic defense to reduce or dismiss the charges against you. Some common legal strategies include:
Unlawful traffic stops. Police must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over, such as speeding or swerving. If the DWI stop was unlawful, we can challenge the evidence against you and fight for dismissed or reduced charges.
Lack of probable cause. Law enforcement must have probable cause to arrest you for DWI. If the officer arrested you without sufficient evidence of intoxication, we can file a motion to suppress all evidence gathered after the arrest.
Improper field sobriety tests. Standardized tests like the walk-and-turn or one-leg stand are frequently used to establish probable cause, but are often subjective and influenced by outside factors. We challenge the administration and accuracy of FSTs to prove they were improperly conducted or inconclusive.
Inaccurate chemical test results. Breath and blood tests can be inaccurate due to improper calibration or operator error. Medical conditions like diabetes and acid reflux can also mimic intoxication and cause false positives. We can identify any testing errors to dismiss inadmissible evidence from your case.
If you were charged with DWI on I-610, your driver’s license may be suspended unless you request an administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing within 15 days of your arrest. ALR cases are separate civil proceedings handled by the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Failure to request a hearing within this timeframe can result in automatic license suspension, making it crucial to consult a knowledgeable DIW defense lawyer as soon as possible. Our lawyers can request an ALR hearing on your behalf and work tirelessly to restore your driving privileges.
No. While an aggravated DWI is not always a felony, it can elevate standard charges to a higher misdemeanor class or felony, depending on the specific aggravating factor involved.
We understand that facing criminal charges can be overwhelming and stressful. As dedicated federal criminal defense attorney with years of experience, I am committed to providing personalized legal counsel for your defense. My approach is tailored to meet your unique needs, ensuring that you have an ally to help get your life back.
1
Get a Free Case Review
Let’s discuss your case, your goals, and what strategies are right for you.
2
Resolve Your Case
I will lead you every step of the way. Together, we will fight for a dismissal.
3
Get Your Life Back
Work to get the best results possible so you can get your life back.
Choosing the right criminal defense attorney in Austin is an important decision. At Lance Kennedy Law, our criminal defense attorneys understand the weight of this choice and the trust you place in your legal representative. Our promise to you goes beyond just words, it’s a tangible commitment to excellence, transparency, and relentless advocacy as we navigate your case together.
