how federal vs state racketeering offenses differ
prosecutors can charge someone through rico if they commit at least two acts of racketeering activity one of which occurred after rico became law and the last of which occurred within 10 years after the prior act 11federal crimes lead to prosecution at both the federal and the state levels investigation of federal crimes involves national agencies such as the federal bureau of investigation fbi drug enforcement agency dea border patrol department of homeland security internal revenue service irs bureau of alcohol tobacco and firearms atf and the secret service 12 in some cases international law enforcement may also participate 13state crimes violate the laws of a particular state and are investigated by local state or county police kidnapping robbery and assault are considered state crimes provided they occur within the boundaries of a particular state sentences for federal crimes are generally longer and harsher than those imposed for state crimes 14examples of racketeeringthe department of justice reported an indictment against 40 people in the largest federal racketeering case in south carolina in december 2020 according to a press release charges were filed against gang members who took part in a criminal enterprise south carolina department of corrections inmates used cell phones obtained as contraband to plan murders kidnappings the distribution of firearms and a global drug ring 15in june 2018 counties in kansas and missouri filed federal racketeering cases against more than a dozen opioid painkiller manufacturers they were accused of misleading marketing and distributing painkillers under deceptive pretenses the prosecution alleged that the companies misrepresented addiction dangers for the benefit of their own profits 16officials and corporate executives from fifa were indicted in 2015 for racketeering conspiracy and corruption charges that involved bribes and kickbacks paid to secure profitable media and marketing rights to international soccer tournaments 17in november 2013 los angeles gang leader kevin eleby was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison in a rico case the gang used violence and intimidation to control a housing project in south los angeles the rico trial determined that the enterprise engaged in drug dealing firearms trafficking murder witness intimidation and armed robbery to control and terrorize the housing projects 18two former baltimore police officers pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges in july 2017 along with several other members of baltimore s gun trace task force they were accused of scheming to steal money property and narcotics by way of detaining individuals entering residences conducting traffic stops and swearing out false search warrant affidavits 19in june 2018 cornel dawson the leader of a violent street gang called black souls received multiple life sentences in a racketeering case five more gang members received similar sentences the gang was found guilty of illegally controlling a six block section of chicago the racketeering conviction included four murders committed and involvement in drug deals 20