Individual and Offense Characteristics

• 77% of individuals sentenced for money laundering offenses were men.
   
• 35% were Hispanic, 29% were Black, 25% were White, and 11% were Other races.
   
• Their average age was 42 years. 
   
• 75% were United States citizens.
   
• 71% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I).
   
• The median loss for these offenses was $446,049;³
  • Less than 1% involved loss amounts of $6,500 or less;
  • 27% 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%);
  • conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1957 (engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity) (15%);
  • a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (laundering of monetary instruments) (77%);
  • the defendant was in the business of money laundering with no underlying conduct (5%);
  • sophisticated laundering (11%);
  • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (19%);
  • abusing a public position of trust or using a special skill (4%);
  • obstructing or impeding the administration of justice (5%).
     
• Sentences were decreased for:
  • minor or minimal participation in the offense (10%).
     
• The top five districts for money laundering offenses were:
  • Southern District of Florida (75);
  • Eastern District of Texas (53);
  • Southern District of New York (50);
  • Southern District of California (44);
  • District of Massachusetts (37).

Punishment

• The average sentence length for individuals sentenced for money laundering offenses was 69 months. 
   
• 90% were sentenced to prison. 
   
• 25% were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; 49% of those individuals were relieved of that penalty.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range 

• 55% of sentences for money laundering were under the Guidelines Manual.
  • 25% were within the guideline range.
     
  • 25% were substantial assistance departures.
    • The average sentence reduction was 65%.
       
  • 1% were Early Disposition Program (EDP) departures.⁴
    • The average sentence reduction was 61%.
       
  • 4% were some other downward departure.
    • The average sentence reduction was 56%.
       
• 45% of sentences for money laundering were variances.
  • 44% were downward variances.
    • The average sentence reduction was 45%.
       
  • 1% were upward variances.
    • The average sentence increase was 50%.

• 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 115 months in fiscal year 2021 and 110 months in fiscal year 2025.
     
  • The average sentence imposed increased and decreased throughout the fiscal years. The average sentence was 69 months in fiscal year 2021 and in fiscal year 2025.