The Legal Consequences of Racketeering in Florida
Racketeering in Florida involves committing, attempting, or conspiring to commit crimes defined under state laws and the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). These crimes include bribery, money laundering, drug trafficking, extortion, human trafficking, and more. If you’ve been charged with racketeering, you may hear terms like organized crime, mobs, RICO, or racketeering, words that might feel like they’re straight out of a movie. However, facing charges under the RICO law is as real as it gets. Racketeering charges can be brought for various crimes, and sometimes, even individuals who never consider themselves part of a mob or gang may find themselves facing such accusations. Most often, though, these charges involve organizations or criminal enterprises.
Six Tampa Gang Members Indicted
In a recent case, six individuals in Tampa face racketeering charges for their roles in a criminal enterprise known as “AP” (Alexander Park). These defendants, aged between 26 and 33, are accused of racketeering conspiracy and crimes like arson, robbery, murder in aid of racketeering, and possession with intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.
The case is ongoing as of the date this article was written, but if the six are convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. In addition, the U.S. government aims to seize any assets linked to the criminal enterprise’s proceeds. While an indictment is not a conviction, this case demonstrates the seriousness with which Florida and federal authorities handle racketeering cases.
Possible Defenses To Racketeering Charges
If you are accused of racketeering in Florida, the legal consequences can be brutal. A racketeering conviction in Florida is classified as a first-degree felony, with a potential penalty of up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. A federal RICO conviction is even harsher, with penalties of up to $250,000 or twice the unlawful profits, whichever is greater, plus forfeiture of assets obtained through the crime.
Even if you are indirectly involved in criminal activities, the penalties can be just as severe. Therefore, when you are charged with racketeering, it is best to consult a skilled criminal defense attorney to help you fight those charges. Some of the possible defenses your attorney may use include:
- Non-Involvement in a Criminal Organization
Proving you were not knowingly part of a criminal enterprise is a strong defense. If your connection to the organization was unintentional or unrelated to illegal activities, your attorney can argue that you should not be held responsible for the group’s actions.
- Lack of a Racketeering Pattern
For a RICO charge to stick, prosecutors must show a pattern of criminal activity in at least two related crimes within 10 years. If the alleged acts were isolated and lacked a clear connection, your attorney could argue that they do not form the required pattern of racketeering activity.
- Withdrawal From the Enterprise
If you can show that you withdrew from the criminal enterprise and actively distanced yourself before any racketeering happened, this could serve as a valid defense.
Contact an Orlando Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
While Florida’s RICO law aims to dismantle illegal operations at their core, sometimes this can result in individuals with only a minor connection to an enterprise being caught up in these cases. If you have been arrested or are facing a racketeering charge in Orlando, contact our skilled Orlando criminal defense lawyer at Joshi Law Firm, PA, as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Source:
justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/six-tampa-gang-members-indicted-racketeering-and-other-felonies
