San Diego Money Laundering Attorney

Charged with federal money laundering in San Diego? Attorney Anton Vialtsin at LAWSTACHE Law Firm defends clients against 18 USC 1956 charges in the Southern District of California — including asset forfeiture defense. Call 619-357-6677 immediately.

San Diego Money Laundering Attorney — 18 USC 1956 Defense

Federal money laundering under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 is almost never charged alone. Instead, prosecutors add money laundering counts on top of an underlying crime — such as drug trafficking, wire fraud, or bank fraud — to dramatically increase sentencing exposure and trigger asset forfeiture. Therefore, defending a money laundering charge requires addressing both the predicate crime and the laundering allegations simultaneously.

Furthermore, the government can freeze your assets before trial through civil forfeiture — without a conviction. As a result, you need an attorney who can fight on both fronts immediately: challenging the criminal charges and protecting your financial resources.

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How We Defend Federal Money Laundering Charges in San Diego

Challenging Knowledge

Money laundering requires proof that you knew the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity. Therefore, if you received or transacted money without knowing its criminal source, you lack the required mental state for conviction. Anton Vialtsin builds lack-of-knowledge defenses aggressively when the evidence supports it.

Challenging the Predicate Offense

Because money laundering depends on a predicate crime generating the proceeds, successfully defending the underlying charge eliminates the laundering charge as well. In addition, challenging the amount of proceeds attributed to you directly affects sentencing.

Fighting Asset Forfeiture

The government can seize assets before trial through civil forfeiture — without a conviction. Furthermore, they can freeze assets needed to fund your defense. Anton Vialtsin challenges pre-trial forfeiture and asset freezes aggressively to ensure you retain access to resources needed for your defense.

Challenging the Purpose of the Transaction

The government must prove the specific purpose of the laundering — either concealing the money’s source or promoting further criminal activity. Because these are distinct theories with different evidence requirements, Anton Vialtsin challenges whether the government can prove the specific purpose alleged.

Money laundering is almost always charged alongside other federal crimes:

See our main San Diego Federal Criminal Defense page for more information.

Free Consultation — San Diego Money Laundering Defense

Call 619-357-6677 to speak directly with federal defense attorney Anton Vialtsin. Free consultation — weekdays and weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions — Money Laundering San Diego

What is federal money laundering under 18 USC 1956?

Money laundering involves knowingly engaging in a financial transaction using proceeds from a specified unlawful activity to conceal the money’s source or promote further criminal activity.

Can I be convicted if I did not know the money was from crime?

No. Knowledge is a required element. The government must prove you knew the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity. Lack of knowledge is a complete defense that Anton Vialtsin pursues aggressively when the evidence supports it.

Can assets be seized before conviction?

Yes. The government can seize assets through civil forfeiture before trial without a conviction. This can freeze bank accounts and real estate. Anton Vialtsin challenges pre-trial asset seizures immediately.

What crimes lead to money laundering charges?

Money laundering frequently follows drug trafficking, wire fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud, and RICO violations. The government must prove a predicate crime generated the proceeds being laundered.

Our Office — San Diego Money Laundering Defense

Address: 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-357-6677
Hours: Weekdays and weekends by appointment.

Call Now: 619-357-6677