Individual and Offense Characteristics

• 76.7% of individuals sentenced for counterfeiting offenses were men.
   
• 46.7% were Black, 40.0% were White, and 13.3% were Hispanic.
   
• Their average age was 38 years. 
   
• 95.0% were United States citizens.
   
• 26.7% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I).
   
• The median loss for these offenses was $7,285;³
  • 43.5% involved loss amounts of $6,500 or less;
  • 15.2% 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 (55.0%);
  • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (3.3%);
  • obstructing or impeding the administration of justice (3.3%).
     
• Sentences were decreased for:
  • minor or minimal participation in the offense (1.7%).
     
• The top five districts for counterfeiting offenses were:
  • Middle District of Pennsylvania (7);
  • Middle District of Florida (4);
  • Southern District of West Virginia (3);
  • Eastern District of Texas (3);
  • Northern District of Ohio (3).

Punishment

• The average sentence for individuals sentenced for counterfeiting offenses was 17 months. 
   
• 86.7% were sentenced to prison. 
   
• 1.7% were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; none of those individuals were relieved of that penalty.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range 

• 60.0% of sentences for counterfeiting offenses were under the Guidelines Manual.
  • 51.7% were within the guideline range.
     
  • 5.0% were substantial assistance departures.
    • The average sentence reduction was 33.1%.
  • 3.3% were some other downward departure.⁴
     
• 40.0% of sentences for counterfeiting offenses were variances.
  • 33.3% were downward variances.
    • The average sentence reduction was 57.5%.
  • 6.7% were upward variances.
    • The average sentence increase was 25.5%.

• The average guideline minimum and average sentence imposed have remained steady over the past five years.
  • The average guideline minimum was 21 months in fiscal year 2020 and 20 months in fiscal year 2024.
     
  • The average sentence imposed was 18 months in fiscal year 2020 and 17 months fiscal year 2024.