Anton Vialtsin defends people charged with federal crimes in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. This is the federal court for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
He is a member of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel in both the Central District and the Southern District of California. Selection for the panel is very strict and requires years of federal criminal experience.
Anton Vialtsin has handled over 400 federal criminal cases, from the first meeting through trial. In the Central District, he has defended cases involving drugs, violent crimes and firearms, racketeering and illegal gambling, and fraud. Federal prosecutors here are from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.
Our office is in downtown San Diego, and we travel to the Los Angeles, Santa Ana and Riverside federal courthouses for your case. Call 619-357-6677 for a free consultation.
Central District federal courthouses
Where your federal case will be heard depends on the county where it was filed.
Los Angeles
Western Division
Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez U.S. Courthouse (First Street), 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 255 E. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cases from Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties
Santa Ana
Southern Division
Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 411 W. 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Cases from Orange County
Riverside
Eastern Division
George E. Brown, Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 3470 Twelfth Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Cases from Riverside and San Bernardino counties
Federal charges we defend in Los Angeles and Orange County
Examples of the federal charges Anton Vialtsin has defended. He has also represented clients charged with many other federal offenses.
Drug Crimes
Drug importation 21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960
Bringing controlled substances into the United States, most often at the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa or Calexico ports of entry.
Penalty: Large quantities carry mandatory minimum sentences of 5 or 10 years, with a maximum of up to life.
San Diego federal drug trafficking defense →Three things to consider in a federal drug case →Distribution of methamphetamine and other drugs 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)
Possessing drugs with intent to distribute, or distributing them, including conspiracy to distribute.
Penalty: 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture (or 50 grams of pure methamphetamine) carries a 10-year mandatory minimum and up to life.
Minor role reduction in drug cases →Drug conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846
Agreeing with others to distribute, or to possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances.
Penalty: The same penalties as the underlying drug offense, including its mandatory minimums.
Buyer-seller defense to drug conspiracy →Violent Crimes & Firearms
Carjacking resulting in death 18 U.S.C. § 2119(3)
Taking a vehicle from another person by force, violence or intimidation, where a death results.
Penalty: Up to life in prison, or the death penalty.
Firearm in a crime of violence causing death 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), (j)(1)
Possessing, using, carrying, brandishing or discharging a firearm in furtherance of, or during and in relation to, a crime of violence.
Penalty: Mandatory consecutive prison time: 5 years for possession, 7 for brandishing, 10 for discharge. If a death results: up to life, or the death penalty.
Federal firearms defense →Firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i)
Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Penalty: A mandatory minimum of 5 years, served consecutively to the drug sentence, and up to life.
Felon in possession of firearms and ammunition 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Possessing a firearm or ammunition after a felony conviction.
Penalty: Up to 15 years. If the Armed Career Criminal Act applies (three prior violent felonies or serious drug offenses), a 15-year mandatory minimum and up to life.
Hobbs Act robbery and extortion 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Robbery or extortion that affects interstate commerce, including conspiracy and attempt.
Penalty: Up to 20 years per count.
Organized Crime & Conspiracy
RICO conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
Agreeing to take part in the affairs of a criminal enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity.
Penalty: Up to 20 years, or up to life if an underlying racketeering act carries a life sentence.
Conspiracy law series →Conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business 18 U.S.C. § 371
Agreeing with others to commit a federal offense, here operating an illegal gambling business.
Penalty: Up to 5 years.
Fraud & White Collar
Mail and wire fraud 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343
A scheme to obtain money or property by false statements, using the mail or electronic communications.
Penalty: Up to 20 years, or up to 30 years if a financial institution is affected.
Mail and wire fraud defense →Theft of public money 18 U.S.C. § 641
Receiving, concealing or keeping government money or property, such as Social Security or Treasury payments.
Penalty: Up to 10 years if more than $1,000; a misdemeanor if $1,000 or less.
Aggravated identity theft 18 U.S.C. § 1028A
Using another person's identification during certain federal felonies.
Penalty: A mandatory 2 years in prison, served in addition to the sentence for the underlying crime.
Penalties shown are the maximums and mandatory minimums set by statute. Actual sentences depend on the Sentencing Guidelines, criminal history and the facts of each case. See our federal results.
How a federal case works in the Central District
What to expect, step by step, in the Los Angeles, Santa Ana and Riverside federal courts.
- Arrest and first appearance
After a federal arrest, you are usually brought before a Magistrate Judge the next court day. What happens between an arrest and trial →
- Detention hearing
The judge decides whether you can be released on bond while the case is pending. Preparing for the detention hearing →
- Indictment and arraignment
The government generally has 30 days from arrest to obtain an indictment from a grand jury. What happens at the arraignment →
- Discovery and motions
We review the evidence and challenge it, including motions to suppress evidence from illegal searches. 4th Amendment articles →
- Plea negotiations or trial
Most federal cases are resolved by negotiation; some go to trial or are dismissed. Plea bargaining →
- Presentence report
A probation officer calculates your Sentencing Guidelines range and criminal history. Calculating criminal history →
- Sentencing
The judge considers the Guidelines, mandatory minimums and arguments for a lower sentence, such as the safety valve. Safety valve and mandatory minimums →
Charged in San Diego or Imperial County federal court? See our San Diego Federal Criminal Defense page for the Southern District of California.
Where we take cases
Our office is in downtown San Diego at 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D. We defend clients throughout Southern California, in both state and federal court, and beyond.
San Diego County
- Downtown San Diego
- Chula Vista (South County)
- El Cajon (East County)
- Vista (North County)
Orange County & Los Angeles
- Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine and all of Orange County
- Los Angeles County
- Riverside County
Federal Court
- Southern District of California (San Diego & El Centro)
- Central District of California (Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Riverside)
- CJA Panel attorney in both districts
And beyond
- Imperial County
- Licensed in California and Nevada
- Federal courts in Nevada