Individual and Offense Characteristics

• 79.0% of individuals sentenced for money laundering offenses were men.
   
• 35.9% were Hispanic, 31.1% were White, 24.8% were Black, and 8.2% were Other races.
   
• Their average age was 43 years. 
   
• 73.7% were United States citizens.
   
• 73.8% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I).
   
• The median loss for these offenses was $526,000;³
  • 0.9% involved loss amounts of $6,500 or less;
  • 31.7% involved loss amounts greater than $1.5 million.
     
• Sentences were increased for:
  • knowing the laundered funds were proceeds of an offense involving a controlled substance, violence, weapons, national security, or the sexual exploitation of a minor (16.0%);
  • conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1957 (engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity) (13.6%);
  • a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (laundering of monetary instruments) (77.5%);
  • the defendant was in the business of money laundering with no underlying conduct (5.7%);
  • sophisticated laundering (11.2%);
  • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (17.4%);
  • abusing a public position of trust or using a special skill (2.8%);
  • obstructing or impeding the administration of justice (4.5%).
     
• Sentences were decreased for:
  • minor or minimal participation in the offense (9.9%).
     
• The top five districts for money laundering offenses were:
  • Southern District of California (62);
  • Southern District of New York (56);
  • Southern District of Texas (47);
  • Eastern District of Texas (45);
  • District of Massachusetts (41).

Punishment

• The average sentence length for individuals sentenced for money laundering offenses was 62 months. 
   
• 89.8% were sentenced to prison. 
   
• 25.6% were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; 54.4% of those individuals were relieved of that penalty.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range 

• 55.4% of sentences for money laundering were under the Guidelines Manual.
  • 20.9% were within the guideline range.
     
  • 27.3% were substantial assistance departures.
    • The average sentence reduction was 67.2%.
       
  • 1.2% were Early Disposition Program (EDP) departures.⁴
    • The average sentence reduction was 55.9%.
       
  • 6.0% were some other downward departure.
    • The average sentence reduction was 50.6%.
       
• 44.6% of sentences for money laundering were variances.
  • 43.4% were downward variances.
    • The average sentence reduction was 48.8%.
       
  • 1.2% were upward variances.
    • The average sentence increase was 45.0%.

• The average guideline minimum increased and average sentence imposed have fluctuated over the past five years.
  • The average guideline minimum increased and decreased throughout the fiscal years. The average guideline minimum was 107 months in fiscal year 2020 and 108 months in fiscal year 2024.
     
  • The average sentence imposed increased and decreased throughout the fiscal years. The average sentence was 64 months in fiscal year 2020 and 62 months in fiscal year 2024.