Individual and Offense Characteristics

• 83.1% of individuals sentenced for counterfeiting offenses were men.
   
• 43.1% were White, 43.1% were Black, 16.7% were Hispanic, and 10.6% were Other races.
   
• Their average age was 36 years. 
   
• 100.0% were United States citizens.
   
• 15.4% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I).
   
• The median loss for these offenses was $8,640;[3] 
  • 42.9% involved loss amounts of $6,500 or less;
  • 9.6% involved loss amounts greater than $40,000.
     
• Sentences were increased for: 
  • manufacturing or producing counterfeit obligations or possessing counterfeit paper, altered currency paper, or a counterfeit deterrent (60.0%);
  • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (4.6%); 
  • obstructing or impeding the administration of justice (1.5%).
     
• Sentences were decreased for: 
  • minor or minimal participation in the offense (1.5%).
     
• The top five districts for individuals sentenced for counterfeiting offenses were:
  • Western District of Louisiana (6);
  • District of Minnesota (5);
  • Eastern District of Washington (4);
  • District of Kansas (4);
  • Western District of Texas (3).

Punishment

• The average sentence for individuals sentenced for counterfeiting offenses was 17 months. 
   
• 81.5% were sentenced to prison. 
   
• 4.6% were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; of those individuals, 33.3% of them were relieved of that penalty.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range 

• Of the 58.5% of all individuals sentenced for counterfeiting offenses under the Guidelines Manual:
  • 78.9% were sentenced within the guideline range.
     
  • 13.2% received a substantial assistance departure.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 73.5%.
       
  • 7.9% received some other downward departure.[4]
     
• 41.5% received a variance; of those individuals: 
  • 96.3% received a downward variance.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 59.1%.
       
  • 3.7% received an upward variance.

• The average guideline minimum and average sentence imposed remained steady over the past five years.
  • The average guideline minimum increased from 18 months in fiscal year 2019 to 22 months in fiscal year 2023.
     
  • The average sentence imposed increased from 15 months in fiscal year 2019 and to 17 months fiscal year 2023.