If you or a loved one have been arrested or accused of federal wire fraud or health care fraud, you should strongly consider contacting Matthew Galluzzo about possible representation. He is well respected by the federal judges in New York and consistently delivers excellent results for his client. This particular result was extraordinary under the circumstances, as the client faced over a decade of possible prison time.

If you or a loved one receives a grand jury subpoena, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. This subpoena cannot be ignored, but can carry substantial risks for the person who receives it. In some cases, the person receiving the subpoena may be able to assert the Fifth Amendment. In other cases, it may be possible to negotiate immunity from prosecution in exchange for testimony. In other cases, it may be possible to simply answer investigators’ questions without doing so under oath and before a grand jury. In that latter case, it is critical to only speak with an attorney’s assistance and after entering into a proffer agreement. Mr. Galluzzo has represented dozens of witnesses and cooperating witnesses over the years, and understands hos prosecutors think and build cases (as he himself is a former prosecutor). If you have received a grand jury subpoena from a prosecutor in the Southern or Eastern Districts of New York, you should strongly consider contacting him immediately.

Mr. Galluzzo submitted to the court a detailed sentencing memorandum describing the client’s difficult upbringing and hard work providing for his family. Mr. Galluzzo submitted character letters from the client’s family, friends and pastor in support of his good character and reputation. The court reviewed these submissions and, after a sentencing hearing in the Southern District of New York, decided not to impose an additional prison sentence upon him. The client will be on supervised release and able to continue with his current employment. (The client spent about six days in prison before arranging for the posting of his bail at the outset of the case and following his arrest.)

In addition, the client could have been subject to millions of dollars in restitution, meaning he might have been ordered to pay back money to the conspiracy’s victims to compensate them for the crimes. However, Mr. Galluzzo argued to the Court that such an award would have been unfair in his client’s case, given his minor role in the offense and his limited finances. The Court agreed not to impose any forfeiture or restitution penalties, as well.

If you or a loved one have been arrested for a felony crime relating to fraud or larceny, you should strongly consider contacting Mr. Matthew Galluzzo, an experienced criminal defense attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor. He gets excellent results for his clients through persuasive advocacy and compassionate representation.

Generally speaking, if a foreign nation suspects that a person it wants to prosecute is currently on American soil, it will send a request for an arrest of that person to American federal law enforcement. If the U.S. government determines that its treaty with the other nation requires it to deliver to that nation a person currently on American soil, an American federal prosecutor will seek an arrest warrant and then an extradition certification for that person.

Once the person is in custody, the accused can attempt to prevent the transfer to the requesting nation. As a practical matter, it is normally difficult to succeed in preventing the transfer. The trial of the person’s guilt or innocence is not had on American soil – that happens in the requesting nation. In deciding whether to certify an extradition, an American court’s review is limited to determining: (1) whether the court has jurisdiction; (2) whether the offense charged is covered by the applicable treaty; (3) whether that treaty is in force; and (4) whether there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of probable cause for the charges. 31 U.S.C. § 3184.

The first three categories are almost never contestable. The fourth option presents perhaps the only avenue to defend against the transfer. That being said, it is fairly easy for the prosecutor to meet the burden of proof. The prosecutor can simply present documents from the requesting nation explaining the proof of the suspect’s guilt. The prosecutor need not actually present any witnesses or present any proof, and may proceed by way of proffer (much like a bail hearing, for example). See e.g. In re Extradition of Breyer, 32 F.Supp. 3d 574 (E.D. Pa. 2014); U.S. v. Malcolm, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9235 (E.D. Pa. 1999). Courts also use a low burden of proof equivalent to that of a preliminary hearing. In short, it is usually an easy hurdle for the prosecutor to clear. Many defendants choose to simply waive the extradition hearing to save themselves the time in American custody and speed up the process in the requesting nation. Of course, that might not be in every defendant’s best interests.

Matthew Galluzzo is a criminal defense attorney based in New York City. He defends individuals in American law enforcement custody facing extradition to foreign countries. He focuses primarily on individuals in custody in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, but assists individuals in other locations in special cases. Additionally, Mr. Galluzzo speaks fluent French and maintains relationships with criminal defense attorneys throughout Europe. If you or a loved one have been detained in American custody pursuant to an international or foreign extradition request, you should give him a call immediately.

Narcotics (21 U.S.C. 846 and 21 U.S.C. 841)

Wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343)

Bank fraud (18 U.S.C. 1344)

The Bribery/Travel Act (18 U.S.C. 1952)

Homicide (18 U.S.C. 1111, 18 U.S.C. 1117, 18 U.S.C. 1118)

RICO/organized crime/conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 1961)

Firearms (18 U.S.C. 922, 18 U.S.C. 924)

Trademark Counterfeiting (18 U.S.C. 2320)

Airplane Offenses (including assault and sexual assault) (e.g. 18 U.S.C. 113, 18 U.S.C. 2241-2244, 49 U.S.C. 46506)

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 78dd-1)

Tax Fraud (26 U.S.C. 7201)

Medicare/Medicaid/Health Care Fraud (18 U.S.C. 1347)

Human Trafficking (18 U.S.C. 1590, 18 U.S.C. 1591, 18 U.S.C. 1952)

Visa Fraud (18 U.S.C. 1546)

Misdemeanors – federal parks and monuments

Money Laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956)

Child exploitation (e.g. 18 U.S.C. 2251, 18 U.S.C. 2252, 18 U.S.C. 2252(a))

Give Mr. Galluzzo a call for a free case evaluation and a quote for his services. Serving Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford.

The penalties for this crime can be significant depending on the amount of cash that was being concealed. For most “bulk cash smuggling offenses,” the federal sentencing guidelines set a base offense level of eight (meaning 0-6 months in jail), see U.S.S.G. 2S1.3(a)(2) and U.S.S.G. 2S1.3(b)(1)(B), plus enhancements based upon the amount of money. See U.S.S.G. 2B1.1. Accordingly, for illegally smuggling, say, $20,000, the federal Sentencing Guidelines might suggest a sentence of 10-16 months in prison for first-time offenders (though this figure is highly dependent upon other variables).

People are often wary about revealing the amount of cash they are actually carrying through Customs because they are afraid that the cash will be investigated. The cash may constitute the proceeds of a crime, or suggest that someone has failed to disclose all of their income to the tax authorities. Regardless of whether the cash is actually illegal or not, however, the Customs officer is likely to seize a significant quantity of cash (50-100% of it, normally) and keep it unless and until the legitimate source of the income is sufficiently proven. This process of contesting forfeiture can take months and typically requires the assistance of an attorney to stand a solid chance of success.

If you or a loved one have been arrested for failing to disclose cash being transported through U.S. Customs, you should strongly consider retaining the services of the experienced federal criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo. With their offices in New York City, they are particularly familiar with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia International Airport, and Newark International Airport. Their attorneys have successfully represented individuals accused of this crime, and can assist you in navigating a difficult situation.

Federal criminal law prohibits a wide range of activities relating to transporting people and/or traveling across state lines or internationally for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity. Specifically, 18 U.S.C. § 2423 prohibits four types of activities and carries very severe penalties.

First, 18 U.S.C. § 2423 makes it a felony punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison (and by as much as life in prison) to “knowingly transport[] an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years in interstate or foreign commerce… with intent that the individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.” This provision obviously applies to those engaging in the human trafficking of underage prostitutes, and also potentially applies to an adult who drives or attempts to drive a minor across state lines so that he or she can have sex with that minor in another state. It could also apply to people who purchase bus or plane tickets for minors to travel into the U.S. or across state lines for the purpose of engaging in illegal sex.

Next, 18 U.S.C. § 2423 makes it a federal felony punishable by up to 30 years to travel across state lines, into the United States, or even to a foreign country (if that person is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident) for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual conduct. So, this means that it is illegal to travel across state lines to hire a prostitute or have sexual contact with an underage person. It also means that it is illegal for a citizen or permanent resident to travel to a foreign country to hire a prostitute or have sex with a minor. Interestingly, a person can be guilty of this crime without actually engaging in the sexual conduct, so long as the prosecutor can prove the illegal purpose of the travel. This charge is frequently brought in cases involving undercover sting operations, in which the supposed prostitute or underage person is actually an FBI agent.

18 U.S.C. § 2423 prohibits illegal sexual intercourse after having traveled across state lines or into the U.S., or even to a foreign country (if that person is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident). Occasionally, U.S. citizens get arrested returning to the United States because Customs officers discover incriminating photographs or videos during border inspections of their laptops, phones, or cameras. Most people are surprised to learn that their electronic devices can be searched at U.S. Customs without probable cause or a warrant. Registered sex offenders returning from known “sex tourism” countries should be prepared to have their devices inspected at the border.

Finally, 18 U.S.C. § 2423 makes it a federal felony punishable by up to 30 years to arrange for the interstate or international transport of people for the purpose of engaging in illegal sex (i.e. prostitutes or minors), for commercial advantage or private financial gain. This could apply not onto the pimp or chief of a human trafficking operation, but also to the driver of a vehicle.

If you or a loved one have been arrested or accused of violating 18 U.S.C. § 2423, you should strongly consider hiring the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Matthew Galluzzo. In particular, Matthew Galluzzo is a former Sex Crimes prosecutor and acknowledged expert in the field. Mr. Galluzzo has earned dozens of difficult dismissals and numerous trial acquittals for individuals charged with serious sex crimes. He is routinely interviewed by television and radio news outlets regarding sex crimes investigations, and was even once hired by the government of South Africa to fly there to train its law enforcement officers about modern rape investigation techniques. Plainly put, his talent and qualifications for these sorts of cases are beyond dispute, and he may be able to help you.