Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Baltimore

Federal Criminal Practice Areas

Walsh-Little Law defends clients facing a wide range of federal charges in the District of Maryland, including:

Federal Drug Crimes

Federal drug charges, including drug trafficking, conspiracy, distribution, and manufacturing, are among the most commonly prosecuted offenses in Baltimore's federal court. Federal drug statutes under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846 carry mandatory minimum sentences that depend on the drug type and quantity. A first-offense federal drug trafficking charge involving 500 grams of cocaine, for example, carries a 5-year mandatory minimum. Larger quantities and prior convictions can result in mandatory minimums of 10 or more years. A 'safety valve' provision may allow certain first-time offenders to receive a sentence below the mandatory minimum.

Federal Gun Crimes

Federal gun charges under 18 U.S.C. § 922, including felon in possession, straw purchases, and use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime under § 924(c), are commonly charged alongside drug offenses. Section 924(c) carries a mandatory consecutive sentence: 5 years for a first offense involving use or possession of a firearm, 7 years if the firearm was brandished, and 10 years if discharged. These mandatory minimums stack; a second § 924(c) charge carries a 25-year mandatory minimum.

Federal RICO

Federal RICO charges under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968 allege that a defendant participated in a pattern of racketeering activity through an enterprise. RICO is one of the most far-reaching federal criminal statutes; it can be used to charge participants in alleged criminal organizations, gangs, and fraud schemes. Federal RICO carries up to 20 years per count, and, in cases involving predicate acts that carry life sentences, potentially life imprisonment.

Federal White Collar Crimes

Federal white collar prosecution in Baltimore encompasses wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, healthcare fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, bribery, and embezzlement, among others. These cases are investigated by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, SEC, and other federal agencies and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office with significant resources. See our White Collar Defense page for more details.

Federal Drug Trafficking

Large-scale drug trafficking allegations in Baltimore frequently move from state court to federal court, particularly when they involve multiple jurisdictions, alleged leadership roles in a distribution network, or wiretap evidence. Federal trafficking charges carry mandatory minimums tied to drug quantity and type, with some offenses mandating 10 years to life.

Federal Asset Forfeiture and Seizure

Federal law enforcement has broad authority to seize and forfeit assets allegedly connected to criminal activity, cash, vehicles, real estate, and financial accounts, often before any conviction, and sometimes before any charges are filed. Civil forfeiture proceedings run parallel to or independently of criminal cases. Challenging a federal forfeiture requires prompt action and familiarity with federal forfeiture procedures under 18 U.S.C. § 981 and related statutes.

Federal Healthcare Fraud

Healthcare fraud, false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurers, is one of the most actively prosecuted categories of federal white-collar crime in Maryland, given the significant healthcare industry presence in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Federal healthcare fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 carries up to 10 years per count, with enhanced penalties where patient harm or death resulted.