Money Laundering One Charge Can Change Everything. So Can One Firm.

Money Laundering Attorney in Des Moines

Iowa Criminal Defense Since 1988, Including Iowa Supreme Court Cases

Money laundering charges don’t announce themselves. Investigators often spend months building a case before a target knows they’re under scrutiny. If you’ve been contacted by law enforcement, received a subpoena, or been formally charged, McEnroe, Steinbach, Rothman & Kendell P.C. can help. Our firm has defended clients in Polk County criminal courts since 1988, and our attorneys have handled criminal cases that reached the Iowa Supreme Court.

State money laundering charges are filed under Iowa Code section 706B.2, but federal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1956 or 1957 is also possible when interstate transactions or federal financial institutions are involved. That overlap raises the stakes and calls for a defense team with the depth to handle both levels.

Call us now at (515) 516-3745 to schedule a free consultation. After-hours intake answering means you don’t have to wait until Monday morning to reach someone.

Why Des Moines Clients Choose Our Firm for Money Laundering Defense

Decades of Iowa criminal defense experience make a practical difference in how we approach a money laundering case. We’ve handled serious felony matters in Polk County courts at every level, including the Iowa Supreme Court. That background shapes how we read charging documents, evaluate financial evidence, and identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s theory.

We also work to remove the barriers that keep people from getting help early, when it matters most. First-time offenders may have options that reduce long-term consequences, but those options require prompt action. We offer affordable representation for first offenses, accept credit cards, and have payment plans available. Our attorneys can communicate in French and Chinese, which matters when reviewing detailed financial records in a client’s preferred language.

Iowa Money Laundering Law: What Iowa Code 706B.2 Covers

Iowa Code section 706B.2(1) defines four categories of prohibited conduct. Understanding which category applies to your situation determines how the prosecution must build its case and where a defense can take hold.

The four categories are:

Receiving or acquiring proceeds: Knowingly transporting, receiving, or acquiring property, or conducting a transaction involving property, knowing it is the proceeds of specified unlawful activity
Making property available: Making property available to another person knowing it will be used to further unlawful activity
Concealment transactions: Conducting a transaction in proceeds with intent to conceal the source, ownership, or control, or to avoid a reporting requirement under Iowa’s Financial Transaction Reporting Act (Iowa Code chapter 529) or federal law
Conducting a laundering business: Knowingly engaging in the business of conducting, directing, or facilitating transactions in proceeds of a specified unlawful activity

Under Iowa law, “proceeds” is defined broadly to include any property acquired or derived from unlawful activity, including cash and other financial instruments. Iowa courts have held that subsection (a) doesn’t require proof of concealment: the transaction itself in proceeds is what the statute criminalizes.

In every category, prosecutors must prove knowledge. The state must establish that you knew the property involved was derived from some form of unlawful activity. That knowledge element is often where the most important defense work happens. A person who processed transactions or received funds on behalf of someone else without full awareness of their origin may have a factual defense centered entirely on what they actually knew at the time.

Charges under Iowa Code 706B.2 can overlap with charges under Iowa Code chapter 706A (Ongoing Criminal Conduct) and can trigger asset forfeiture proceedings under Iowa Code chapter 809A. When financial institutions or interstate transfers are involved, federal prosecutors may pursue parallel charges under their own statutes.

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Money Laundering Penalties Under Iowa Law

The sentencing consequences depend on which subsection of Iowa Code 706B.2 is charged. The distinctions matter because they determine both the prison exposure and the fine calculation.

The penalty structure breaks down as follows:

Class C felony (subsections a, b, or c): Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $13,660 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater
Class D felony (subsection d): Up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,245 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater
Civil penalty: Three times the value of the property involved may be imposed in addition to criminal penalties
Asset forfeiture: Property connected to a violation is subject to forfeiture under Iowa Code chapter 809A

A conviction also carries lasting collateral consequences. Effects on employment, professional licenses, and reputation are particularly serious for anyone working in financial services, accounting, banking, or other regulated fields. These consequences are part of the full picture we consider when evaluating defense strategy and resolution options.

Talk to a Des Moines Money Laundering Defense Attorney Today

If you’re facing charges or believe you’re under investigation in Polk County, early legal involvement can limit your risk. Don’t wait until charges are filed to contact us. We offer a free initial consultation, after-hours intake answering, and flexible payment options, including credit cards. Our firm has served Des Moines clients since 1988. Call (515) 516-3745 to speak with us today.

How Money Laundering Investigations Unfold in Iowa

Money laundering investigations rarely begin with an arrest. They typically start with financial records subpoenas, bank transaction analysis, and coordination between local law enforcement and federal agencies, including the IRS and FinCEN. By the time a target becomes aware of an investigation, investigators may have already assembled months of transaction data.

The core of any money laundering case is knowledge and intent. Investigators work to build evidence that the person charged knew the property involved came from unlawful activity, which means every transaction, every communication, and every relationship connected to the funds becomes part of the case record. Early defense work focuses on understanding exactly what evidence exists and how it was gathered, including how financial records were obtained and whether any transaction-reporting requirements under Iowa’s Financial Transaction Reporting Act apply to the conduct at issue. If you made statements to investigators before retaining an attorney, those statements need to be reviewed for grounds to challenge their use.

Overlapping Charges

Money laundering charges frequently arise alongside investigations into drug distribution, fraud, or organized criminal activity. Defense strategy must account for all overlapping charges because the theories prosecutors advance on one count often feed the others. Addressing the money laundering charge without understanding the full charging picture leaves gaps prosecutors may use.

When the underlying conduct involves interstate banking or federal financial institutions, parallel prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1956 or 1957 is a real possibility. Federal charges carry their own sentencing guidelines and are handled in federal court, adding a dimension that calls for experience across both state and federal criminal practice. Our attorneys have handled serious criminal matters in Iowa courts at every level and can help you understand where your case stands from the first consultation.

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