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About the Law
Federal prosecutors frequently choose to charge individual defendants with a variety of crimes under a number of different statutes. An illegal alien who is caught while negotiating a drug deal, for example, might be indicted for drug dealing, numerous conspiracy offenses, as well as immigration violations. During the data collection process, the Justice Department asks the prosecutors to select the "lead charge" on all referrals that they handle. Obviously, these judgments often are somewhat subjective when multiple serious charges are involved. Sometimes, they are influenced by the political needs of the moment: an administration, for example, that wants to show the public it is concentrating on narcotics or illegal immigrants along the southwest border. Here then, as viewed through the lens of federal prosecutors across the country, are those "lead charges" which resulted in prosecutions or convictions either in the most recent month or most recently completed fiscal year. Click on the statute of interest from the following table to obtain the complete text as well as links to exclusive TRAC Reports on these frequently cited lead charges. |
| U.S. Code | Description | |
| 05 USC 00552 | Violation of privacy act by a federal employee | ||
| 07 USC 00136 | Environmental Pesticide Control - definitions | ||
| 07 USC 02024 | Food Stamp Program - Violations and Enforcement | ||
| 07 USC 02156 | Animal Fighting Venture Prohibited | ||
| 08 USC 01253 | Alien hindering his/her removal from the US | ||
| 08 USC 01306 | Immigration - Penalties | ||
| 08 USC 01323 | Unlawful bringing of aliens into US | ||
| 08 USC 01324 | Bringing in and harboring certain aliens | ||
| 08 USC 01324a | Unlawful employment of aliens | ||
| 08 USC 01325 | Entry of alien at improper time or place; etc. | ||
| 08 USC 01326 | Reentry of deported alien | ||
| 14 USC 00088 | Coast Guard - Saving Life and Property | ||
| 15 USC 00001 | Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; penal | ||
| 15 USC 00078j | Use/employ any manipulative/deceptive device/ in contravention | ||
| 15 USC 02615 | Toxic Substances Control - Penalties | ||
| 16 USC 00045 | Violations of park regulations; penalty | ||
| 16 USC 00003 | Charges and fees; permits; | ||
| 16 USC 00470 | Archeological Resource Protection | ||
| 16 USC 00668 | Bald and golden eagles | ||
| 16 USC 00703 | Taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds | ||
| 16 USC 00707 | Migratory Birds - violation penalties; forfeitures | ||
| 16 USC 01372 | Marine Mammal Protection - Prohibitions | ||
| 16 USC 01538 | Endangered Species - Prohibitive acts | ||
| 16 USC 03372 | Illegally Taken Fish & Wildlife - prohibited acts | ||
| 17 USC 00506 | Copyright infringement - Criminal offenses | ||
| 18 USC 00002 | Aiding and Abetting | ||
| 18 USC 00003 | Accessory after the fact | ||
| 18 USC 00004 | Misprision of Felony | ||
| 18 USC 00007 | Special Maritime/Territorial Jurisdiction of US | ||
| 18 USC 00013 | Laws of States Adopted in Federal jurisdiction | ||
| 18 USC 00019 | Petty Offense Defined | ||
| 18 USC 00032 | Destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities | ||
| 18 USC 00081 | Arson in special maritime and territorial jurisdic | ||
| 18 USC 00111 | Assaulting, resisting, impeding certain officers | ||
| 18 USC 00113 | Assaults within maritime and territorial jurisdictions | ||
| 18 USC 00114 | Maiming in maritime and territorial jurisdictions | ||
| 18 USC 00115 | Influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a Federal official | ||
| 18 USC 00152 | Concealment of assets; false oaths and claims; etc | ||
| 18 USC 00153 | Embezzlement by trustee or officer | ||
| 18 USC 00157 | Bankruptcy Fraud | ||
| 18 USC 00175 | Prohibitions with respect to biological weapons | ||
| 18 USC 00201 | Bribery of public officials and witnesses | ||
| 18 USC 00208 | Acts affecting a personal financial interest | ||
| 18 USC 00231 | Civil Disorders | ||
| 18 USC 00241 | Conspiracy against rights | ||
| 18 USC 00242 | Deprivation of rights under color of law | ||
| 18 USC 00245 | Federally protected activities | ||
| 18 USC 00247 | Damage to religious prop; obstruct religious excer | ||
| 18 USC 00248 | Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrance | ||
| 18 USC 00249 | Hate crime acts | ||
| 18 USC 00286 | Conspiracy to defraud the Government claims | ||
| 18 USC 00287 | False, fictitious or fraudulent claims | ||
| 18 USC 00371 | Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud US | ||
| 18 USC 00373 | Solicitation to commit a crime of violence | ||
| 18 USC 00401 | Power of Court | ||
| 18 USC 00402 | Contempts constituting crimes | ||
| 18 USC 00470 | Counterfeit acts committed outside U.S. | ||
| 18 USC 00471 | Obligations or securities of United States | ||
| 18 USC 00472 | Uttering counterfeit obligations or securities | ||
| 18 USC 00473 | Dealing in counterfeit obligations or securities | ||
| 18 USC 00500 | Money orders | ||
| 18 USC 00505 | Seals of courts; signatures of judges or court off | ||
| 18 USC 00510 | Forging endorsements on Treasury checks, bonds se | ||
| 18 USC 00511 | Altering or removing motor vehicle id numbers | ||
| 18 USC 00513 | Securities of the States and private entities | ||
| 18 USC 00542 | Entry of goods by means of false statements | ||
| 18 USC 00545 | Smuggling goods into the United States | ||
| 18 USC 00546 | Smuggling goods into foreign countries | ||
| 18 USC 00549 | Removing goods from customs custody; breaking seal | ||
| 18 USC 00554 | Smuggling goods from the United States | ||
| 18 USC 00641 | Public money, property or records | ||
| 18 USC 00654 | Officer or employee of US converting property | ||
| 18 USC 00656 | Theft/embezzlement/misapplication by bank off, emp | ||
| 18 USC 00657 | Lending, credit and insurance institutions | ||
| 18 USC 00658 | Property mortgaged/pledged to farm credit agency | ||
| 18 USC 00659 | Interstate or foreign shipments by carriers | ||
| 18 USC 00661 | Embezzelement/theft in special jurisdictions | ||
| 18 USC 00664 | Theft or embezzlement from employee benefit plan | ||
| 18 USC 00665 | Theft or embezzlement from employment/trning funds | ||
| 18 USC 00666 | Theft or bribery in programs receiving Fed funds | ||
| 18 USC 00669 | Theft/Embezzlement - Health Care | ||
| 18 USC 00701 | Official badges, id cards, other insignia | ||
| 18 USC 00751 | Escape - Prisoners in custody | ||
| 18 USC 00758 | High speed flight from immigration checkpoint | ||
| 18 USC 00793 | Gathering/transmitting/losing defense information | ||
| 18 USC 00842 | Explosives - Importation, manufacture, etc | ||
| 18 USC 00844 | Explosives - Importation and storage of explosives | ||
| 18 USC 00846 | Explosives - Additional powers of the Secretary | ||
| 18 USC 00871 | Threats against President and successors | ||
| 18 USC 00873 | Blackmail | ||
| 18 USC 00875 | Interstate Communications | ||
| 18 USC 00876 | Mailing threatening communications | ||
| 18 USC 00911 | False personification - Citizen of the US | ||
| 18 USC 00912 | False personification - Officer or employee of US | ||
| 18 USC 00922 | Firearms; Unlawful acts | ||
| 18 USC 00923 | Firearms; Licensing | ||
| 18 USC 00924 | Firearms; Penalties | ||
| 18 USC 00930 | Possession of firearms/dangerous weapons in federal facility | ||
| 18 USC 00931 | Prohibition on purchase,ownership,possession of body armor by felons | ||
| 18 USC 00951 | Agents of foreign governments | ||
| 18 USC 01001 | Fraud/false statements or entries generally | ||
| 18 USC 01005 | Fraud - Bank entries, reports and transactions | ||
| 18 USC 01014 | Fraud - Loan and credit applications etc | ||
| 18 USC 01015 | Fraud - Natzation, citizenship, alien registry | ||
| 18 USC 01017 | Fraud - Government seals | ||
| 18 USC 01028 | Fraud and related activity - id documents | ||
| 18 USC 01028A | Aggravated Identity Theft | ||
| 18 USC 01029 | Fraud and related activity - access devices | ||
| 18 USC 01030 | Fraud and related activity - computers | ||
| 18 USC 01031 | Making fraud against the United States | ||
| 18 USC 01035 | False claims relating to health care matters | ||
| 18 USC 01037 | Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Electronic Mail | ||
| 18 USC 01038 | False Information and Hoaxes | ||
| 18 USC 01040 | Fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits | ||
| 18 USC 01071 | Concealing person from arrest | ||
| 18 USC 01073 | Flight to Avoid Prosecution or Giving Testimony | ||
| 18 USC 01084 | Gambling ships - transmit of wagering information | ||
| 18 USC 01111 | Murder | ||
| 18 USC 01112 | Manslaughter | ||
| 18 USC 01113 | Attempt to commit murder or manslaughter | ||
| 18 USC 01114 | Protection of officers and employees of US | ||
| 18 USC 01115 | Misconduct or neglect of ship officers | ||
| 18 USC 01117 | Conspiracy to murder | ||
| 18 USC 01153 | Offenses committed within Indian country | ||
| 18 USC 01163 | Embezzlement and theft from Indian Tribal organiza | ||
| 18 USC 01167 | Theft from gaming establishments on Indian lands | ||
| 18 USC 01168 | Insider Theft of gaming establishments Indian land | ||
| 18 USC 01201 | Kidnaping | ||
| 18 USC 01203 | Kidnapping - Hostage taking | ||
| 18 USC 01204 | International parental kidnapping | ||
| 18 USC 01341 | Mail Fraud - Frauds and swindles | ||
| 18 USC 01342 | Mail Fraud - Fictitious name or address | ||
| 18 USC 01343 | Fraud by wire, radio, or television | ||
| 18 USC 01344 | Bank Fraud | ||
| 18 USC 01346 | Scheme or artifice to defraud | ||
| 18 USC 01347 | Health Care Fraud | ||
| 18 USC 01348 | Securities Fraud | ||
| 18 USC 01349 | Mail Fraud - Attempt and Conspiracy | ||
| 18 USC 01361 | Malicious Mischief - Govrnmt property or contracts | ||
| 18 USC 01362 | Malicious Mischief - communications | ||
| 18 USC 01363 | Buildings or property within special maritime/territorial jurisdiction | ||
| 18 USC 01365 | Tampering with consumer products | ||
| 18 USC 01366 | Destruction of an energy facility | ||
| 18 USC 01382 | Entering military, naval, or Coast Guard property | ||
| 18 USC 01425 | Procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlaw | ||
| 18 USC 01466A | Obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of c | ||
| 18 USC 01470 | Transfer of obscene materials to minors | ||
| 18 USC 01503 | Influencing or injuring officer or juror generally | ||
| 18 USC 01505 | Obstruction of proceedings before departments, etc | ||
| 18 USC 01512 | Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant | ||
| 18 USC 01513 | Retaliating against a witness, victim or informant | ||
| 18 USC 01519 | Destruct, alter, falsify records in fed. investigations and bankruptcy | ||
| 18 USC 01521 | Retaliate against federal judge/law enforcement false claim/slander | ||
| 18 USC 01542 | False statement in application and use of passport | ||
| 18 USC 01543 | Forgery or false use of passport | ||
| 18 USC 01544 | Misuse of passport | ||
| 18 USC 01546 | Fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents | ||
| 18 USC 01589 | Forced Labor | ||
| 18 USC 01591 | Sex trafficking of children by force, fraud or coercion | ||
| 18 USC 01623 | False declarations before grand jury or court | ||
| 18 USC 01700 | Desertion of mails | ||
| 18 USC 01701 | Obstruction of mails generally | ||
| 18 USC 01702 | Obstruction of correspondence | ||
| 18 USC 01703 | Delay or destruction of mail or newspapers | ||
| 18 USC 01704 | Postal keys or locks stolen or reproduced | ||
| 18 USC 01705 | Destruction of letter boxes or mail | ||
| 18 USC 01707 | Theft of property used by Postal Service | ||
| 18 USC 01708 | Theft or receipt of stolen mail matter generally | ||
| 18 USC 01709 | Theft of mail matter by officer or employee | ||
| 18 USC 01711 | Misappropriation of postal funds | ||
| 18 USC 01752 | Temporary residence and office of President, etc. | ||
| 18 USC 01791 | Providing or possessing contraband in prison | ||
| 18 USC 01832 | Theft of trade secrets | ||
| 18 USC 01855 | Public lands - Timber set afire | ||
| 18 USC 01856 | Public lands - Fires unattended and unextinguished | ||
| 18 USC 01920 | False statement - Fed employees compensation | ||
| 18 USC 01951 | Hobbs Act | ||
| 18 USC 01952 | Racketeering -interstate/foreign travel/transport | ||
| 18 USC 01955 | Prohibition of illegal gambling businesses | ||
| 18 USC 01956 | Laundering of monetary instruments | ||
| 18 USC 01957 | Monetary transactions w/property from unlawful act | ||
| 18 USC 01958 | Interstate commerce facilities - murder for hire | ||
| 18 USC 01959 | Violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity | ||
| 18 USC 01960 | Prohibition of illegal money transmitting business | ||
| 18 USC 01961 | RICO - definitions | ||
| 18 USC 01962 | RICO - prohibited activities | ||
| 18 USC 02111 | Robbery/burglary - Special jurisdiction | ||
| 18 USC 02112 | Robbery - Personal property of United States | ||
| 18 USC 02113 | Bank robbery and incidental crimes | ||
| 18 USC 02114 | Mail, money, or other property of United States | ||
| 18 USC 02115 | Robbery - Post office | ||
| 18 USC 02118 | Robberies/burglaries w/controlled substances | ||
| 18 USC 02119 | Carjacking | ||
| 18 USC 02197 | Seamen - misuse of Federal certificate, etc | ||
| 18 USC 02237 | Criminal Sanction for Failure to heave to or provide false information | ||
| 18 USC 02241 | Aggravated sexual abuse | ||
| 18 USC 02242 | Sexual abuse | ||
| 18 USC 02243 | Sexual abuse of a minor or ward | ||
| 18 USC 02244 | Abusive sexual contact | ||
| 18 USC 02250 | Fail to register as sex offender after traveling interstate commerce | ||
| 18 USC 02251 | Sexual exploitation of children | ||
| 18 USC 02251A | Selling or buying children | ||
| 18 USC 02252 | Material involving sexual exploitation of minors | ||
| 18 USC 02252A | Activity relating material constituting/containing chil | ||
| 18 USC 02260 | Child exploitation | ||
| 18 USC 02261 | Interstate domestic violence | ||
| 18 USC 02261A | Stalking | ||
| 18 USC 02312 | Transportation of stolen vehicles | ||
| 18 USC 02313 | Sale or receipt of stolen vehicles | ||
| 18 USC 02314 | Transportation of stolen goods, etc | ||
| 18 USC 02315 | Sale or receipt of stolen goods, etc | ||
| 18 USC 02319 | Criminal infringement of a copyright | ||
| 18 USC 02320 | Trafficking in counterfeit goods or services | ||
| 18 USC 02321 | Trafficking in certain motor vehicles or parts | ||
| 18 USC 02331 | Terrorism Violation | ||
| 18 USC 02332 | Terrorism - Criminal penalties | ||
| 18 USC 02339 | Harboring or Concealing Terrorists | ||
| 18 USC 02339A | Providing material support to terrorists | ||
| 18 USC 02339B | Provide material support to foreign terrorist orgs | ||
| 18 USC 02342 | Trafficking in contraband cigarettes Unlawful acts | ||
| 18 USC 02384 | Seditious conspiracy | ||
| 18 USC 02421 | Transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes | ||
| 18 USC 02422 | Transport for sex - Coercion and enticement | ||
| 18 USC 02423 | Transportation of minors for sexual activity | ||
| 18 USC 03048 | Commitment to another district; removal--Rule 40 | ||
| 18 USC 03144 | Release or detention of a material witness | ||
| 18 USC 03146 | Penalty for failure to appear | ||
| 18 USC 03184 | Fugitives from Foreign Country to United States | ||
| 18 USC 03565 | Revocation of probation | ||
| 18 USC 03583 | Term of supervised release after imprisonment | ||
| 18 USC 03605 | Transfer of probation jurisdiction | ||
| 18 USC 03606 | Arrest and return of a probationer | ||
| 18 USC 03665 | Firearms possessed by convicted felons | ||
| 18 USC 04082 | Commitment to AG; residential treatment | ||
| 19 USC 01459 | Reporting requirements for individuals | ||
| 20 USC 01097 | Higher education Resources & Student Assistance | ||
| 21 USC 00331 | Fed Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act - Prohibited acts | ||
| 21 USC 00333 | Fed Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act - Penalties | ||
| 21 USC 00610 | Meat Inspection - prohibited acts | ||
| 21 USC 00841 | Drug Abuse Prevention & Control-Prohibited acts A | ||
| 21 USC 00842 | Drug Abuse Prevention & Control-Prohibited acts B | ||
| 21 USC 00843 | Drug Abuse Prevention & Control-Prohibited acts C | ||
| 21 USC 00844 | Penalty for simple possession | ||
| 21 USC 00846 | Attempt and conspiracy | ||
| 21 USC 00848 | Continuing criminal enterprise | ||
| 21 USC 00853 | Criminal forfeitures | ||
| 21 USC 00856 | Establishment for manufacturing operations | ||
| 21 USC 00863 | Drug paraphernalia | ||
| 21 USC 00952 | Importation of controlled substances | ||
| 21 USC 00953 | Exportation of controlled substances | ||
| 21 USC 00959 | Possession, manufacture, or distribution for purpo | ||
| 21 USC 00960 | Prohibited acts A | ||
| 21 USC 00963 | Attempt and conspiracy | ||
| 22 USC 02778 | Control of arms exports and imports | ||
| 26 USC 05601 | Distilled Spirits, etc - Criminal penalties | ||
| 26 USC 05841 | Registration of firearms | ||
| 26 USC 05842 | Identification of firearms | ||
| 26 USC 05861 | Tax on Making Firearms - Prohibited acts | ||
| 26 USC 06103 | Confidentiality/disclosure of returns/return info | ||
| 26 USC 07201 | Attempt to evade or defeat tax | ||
| 26 USC 07202 | Willful failure to collect or pay over tax | ||
| 26 USC 07203 | Willful failure to file return, supply information | ||
| 26 USC 07206 | Fraud and False statements | ||
| 26 USC 07207 | Fraudulent returns, statements, or other documents | ||
| 26 USC 07212 | Attempts to interfere with admin of tax laws | ||
| 29 USC 00439 | Labor orgs - Violations and penalties | ||
| 29 USC 00501 | Fiduciary responsibility - officers of labor orgs | ||
| 30 USC 00820 | Mine Safety and Health - Penalties | ||
| 31 USC 05316 | Exporting and importing monetary instruments | ||
| 31 USC 05324 | Structuring transactions to evade reporting requir | ||
| 31 USC 05332 | Bulk Cash Smuggling into or out of the United States | ||
| 33 USC 01319 | Water Pollution - Enforcement | ||
| 33 USC 01321 | Oil and hazardous substance liability | ||
| 33 USC 01908 | Prevention of Pollution from Ships - Penalties | ||
| 38 USC 06101 | VA Benefits - Misappropriation by fiduciaries | ||
| 40 USC 05104 | Unlawful Activities | ||
| 42 USC 00408 | Fed Old Age, Survivors & Disab Insur -Penalties | ||
| 42 USC 01307 | Social Security - Penalty for fraud | ||
| 42 USC 01383 | Social Security -Procedure for payment of benefits | ||
| 42 USC 01383a | Fraudulent acts; penalties; restitution | ||
| 42 USC 07413 | Air Pollution Prevention and Control - Fed strd | ||
| 43 USC 01733 | Federal Land Policy/Management - Enforcement Authority | ||
| 46 USC 70503 | Possession control substance on vessel subject to jurisdiction of US | ||
| 46 USC 70506 | Penalties | ||
| 47 USC 00223 | Obscene or harrassing telephone calls | ||
| 49 USC 05124 | Hazard Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act | ||
| 49 USC 46314 | Entering aircraft or airport area in violation of security | ||
| 49 USC 46503 | Interference with Security Screening Personnel | ||
| 49 USC 46504 | Interference with flight crew members and attendants | ||
| 49 USC 46505 | Carrying a Weapon or Explosive on an Aircraft | ||
| 49 USC 46506 | Application of Criminal Laws to Acts on Aircraft | ||
| 50 USC 00797 | Control of Subversive Activities | ||
| 50 USC 01702 | War and National Defense - Presidential Authorities | ||
| 50 USC 01705 | International Emergency Economic Powers |
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Copyright 2017