Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys

Federal criminal charges are among the most serious cases a person can face. Unlike many state prosecutions, federal cases are often the result of long-term investigations involving federal agents, confidential informants, surveillance, search warrants, digital evidence, and grand jury subpoenas. By the time charges are filed, the government may already believe it has spent months building its case. That is exactly why it is critical to have experienced federal criminal defense attorneys on your side as early as possible.

At PKN Law, we represent individuals facing a wide range of federal criminal allegations. These cases are not limited to white collar offenses. Federal prosecutors routinely bring charges involving drugs, guns, conspiracy, fraud, sex offenses, internet crimes, and other serious allegations that can carry substantial prison exposure, asset forfeiture, supervised release, and lifelong collateral consequences. Regardless of the accusation, we approach every case with urgency, discretion, and a commitment to building the strongest defense possible.

With decades of experience protecting the rights of the accused, our firm understands how high the stakes are in federal court. We know that people under federal investigation are often frightened, overwhelmed, and unsure of what happens next. Whether you have already been charged, believe you are under investigation, or have been contacted by federal agents, we are prepared to step in and fight for you. This includes defense for the following federal crimes:

*Federal Drug Trafficking and Distribution

Federal drug prosecutions often involve allegations of trafficking, possession with intent to distribute, conspiracy, distribution, or interstate drug activity. These cases may center on substances such as heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription medication, or marijuana. In many situations, the government relies on informants, recorded calls, text messages, surveillance, controlled purchases, and search warrants. A strong defense may require challenging possession, intent, quantity, witness credibility, and the legality of the investigation itself.

*Federal Firearms and Gun Charges

Federal gun charges can include unlawful possession of a firearm, possession by a prohibited person, straw purchases, trafficking allegations, use of a firearm in furtherance of another alleged offense, and other weapons-related crimes. These cases are aggressively prosecuted and can carry severe penalties. Our firm carefully examines the stop, search, seizure, alleged possession, statements, and forensic evidence to identify weaknesses in the government’s case.

*Conspiracy Charges

Conspiracy allegations are common in federal court because they allow prosecutors to sweep multiple people into a single case. The government may claim that a person joined a broader criminal agreement even if that person played only a limited role or never directly handled drugs, money, or weapons. Conspiracy cases often depend heavily on witness testimony, recorded communications, and inferences drawn from circumstantial evidence. We work to challenge whether the government can actually prove knowing participation in any unlawful agreement.

*Mail Fraud

Mail fraud involves using the postal service or commercial mail carriers as part of an alleged scheme to defraud another person, business, or institution. These cases may involve business dealings, financial transactions, applications, or other communications sent through the mail. Although prosecutors often treat these offenses as straightforward, the underlying facts are frequently more complex and open to challenge.

*Wire Fraud

Wire fraud generally involves allegations that electronic communications were used in furtherance of a fraudulent scheme. This can include phone calls, emails, online transactions, wire transfers, and other digital communications. Because so much modern communication happens electronically, wire fraud statutes are often used in a broad range of federal prosecutions. A proper defense requires close analysis of intent, representations, records, and the government’s theory of deception.

*Bank Fraud

Bank fraud charges involve accusations of defrauding a financial institution or obtaining money, credit, or assets under false pretenses. These cases may relate to loan documents, account activity, check fraud, or other financial transactions. Federal prosecutors often pursue these allegations aggressively, but that does not relieve them of their burden to prove intent and every essential element of the offense.

*Mortgage Fraud

Mortgage fraud may involve alleged misrepresentations, omissions, inflated values, false statements on loan applications, or other conduct connected to real estate financing. These cases are often document-heavy and may involve multiple parties, making them especially important to review carefully and thoroughly. We work to identify whether the facts truly support criminal intent or whether the government is oversimplifying a far more complicated transaction.

*Credit Card and Access Device Fraud

Federal credit card fraud cases can involve unauthorized use of accounts, identity-based transactions, application fraud, account takeovers, or other alleged misuse of payment devices. Prosecutors may also pursue related theft, conspiracy, or fraud charges depending on the facts of the case. We examine account records, alleged user access, digital evidence, and identification issues to challenge the prosecution’s claims.

*Computer Fraud and Cybercrime

Computer-related federal charges can arise from alleged unauthorized access to accounts or systems, theft of information, internet-based fraud, or the use of digital tools in connection with other alleged crimes. These cases often involve highly technical evidence, large volumes of electronic data, and complicated questions about access, authorship, and intent. Effective defense requires careful attention to both the law and the technology.

*Identity Theft and Aggravated Identity Theft

Identity theft charges may be filed when the government alleges that someone used another person’s identifying information in connection with fraud or other unlawful conduct. In federal court, these allegations are often paired with fraud charges and can significantly increase the stakes of a case. We look closely at who had access to the information, how it was allegedly used, and whether the government can tie the conduct to the accused.

*Embezzlement

Embezzlement generally involves allegations that a person misused or converted money or property that had been entrusted to them. These accusations may arise in employment, business, nonprofit, or fiduciary settings. Even when the government characterizes the matter as theft, the real dispute may involve intent, authorization, accounting, or the nature of the underlying relationship.

*Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud allegations may involve claims submissions, billing issues, property losses, benefits, or other communications with an insurer that the government says were deceptive. These cases can become federal matters when mail, wires, or broader fraud allegations are involved. We carefully evaluate the paper trail, intent, and whether prosecutors can actually prove a knowingly false scheme.

*Healthcare Fraud

Healthcare fraud cases can involve billing practices, reimbursement disputes, provider records, prescription issues, or allegations of false claims submitted to government programs or insurers. These prosecutions are often complicated and document-intensive. They require a defense that can cut through the government’s narrative and focus on what the records do and do not actually prove.

*Tax Fraud and Financial Crimes

Federal financial crime cases may include allegations involving tax fraud, false returns, hidden income, structured transactions, money laundering, or other financial misconduct. These matters often involve extensive records and years of transactions. A careful defense requires close review of documents, intent, accounting issues, and whether the government’s interpretation of the evidence is justified.

*Money Laundering

Money laundering charges typically allege that funds connected to unlawful activity were transferred, concealed, or structured to disguise their source or purpose. Prosecutors often add these charges to larger drug, fraud, or conspiracy cases. Because these allegations can dramatically increase the seriousness of a prosecution, it is important to challenge both the underlying theory and the government’s proof.

*Federal Sex Offenses

Federal sex offense prosecutions can include allegations involving interstate conduct, online communications, exploitation-related offenses, or other conduct prosecuted under federal law. These cases are highly sensitive and carry serious penalties, registration consequences, and long-term damage to a person’s reputation and future. Our firm approaches them with discretion, urgency, and attention to every factual and legal issue.

*Child Pornography and Internet Sex Crime Charges

Federal internet sex crime cases often involve allegations related to possession, receipt, distribution, or production of illegal digital material, as well as online communication-based offenses. These investigations may include search warrants, computer seizures, forensic examinations, and undercover operations. We scrutinize how evidence was obtained, who actually accessed the devices, and whether the government can prove knowing possession or involvement.

*Federal Probation, Supervised Release, and Related Violations

Even after a conviction, federal court involvement may continue through allegations that a person violated probation or supervised release. These proceedings can place a person back at risk of incarceration and should be treated seriously. We represent clients in these matters and work to protect their freedom and future.

*Other Federal Criminal Charges

Federal court can involve many other offenses, including obstruction allegations, false statements, interstate offenses, public corruption cases, and charges tied to broader investigations by agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security, or IRS. No matter the accusation, the government must still prove its case, and every federal prosecution deserves a serious, strategic defense.

If you’ve been charged with a federal crime, believe you may be under investigation, or have been contacted by federal authorities, do not wait to get legal representation. Early intervention can make a significant difference in how your case unfolds. The sooner you act, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights, evaluating the government’s evidence, and pursuing the best possible result. Contact PKN Law today for a free and confidential consultation.