Federal Money Laundering Charges in Orlando: What You Need to Know
Orlando criminal defense lawyer and television legal analyst Jose Rivas appeared on Telemundo 31 to discuss the federal money laundering defense strategy for Colombian businessman Álex Saab. If you are charged with federal money laundering in Orlando, the case is a serious federal felony from day one — and you need a lawyer before you speak to any investigator.
Saab was arrested in May 2026 on a federal conspiracy to launder monetary instruments charge. Rivas explained how these cases are built, what prosecutors must prove, and how Florida residents can be drawn into a federal investigation without warning.
“In these kinds of cases, since he does not live here, there is a strong chance that prosecutors will ask the judge to keep him in custody and not release him while the case is pending,” Rivas said, noting that federal judges often view foreign residence as a significant flight-risk factor.
Call 407-644-2466 to speak with an experienced Orlando criminal defense attorney at the Rivas Law Firm, P.A.
What Federal Money Laundering Charges Really Mean in Florida
Federal money laundering is charged primarily under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, which criminalizes financial transactions conducted with the proceeds of illegal activity when the defendant knew the money was tainted and acted to conceal its source, promote further crime, or evade reporting requirements.
Rivas said prosecutors often spend months — sometimes years — gathering bank records, wire transfer logs, shell company documents, and witness statements before charges are ever filed. By the time someone is arrested or learns they are a target, the government’s case may already be well developed.
The underlying offense can vary widely. Drug trafficking, fraud, foreign bribery, and public corruption are all common sources of the funds at issue. What matters for the money laundering count is not how the illegal money was earned, but what the defendant did with it afterward.
Rivas said many Orlando residents are surprised to learn they do not need ties to foreign governments or international cartels to face these charges. Business owners, bookkeepers, and family members whose names appear on accounts or corporate filings can become targets if prosecutors believe those connections were part of a plan to move or disguise criminal funds.
According to the Department of Justice’s money laundering overview, even an attempted transaction can support a charge — the money does not have to move successfully for federal liability to attach.
Penalties and What a Federal Indictment Can Cost You
A conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 can bring up to 20 years in federal prison per count, fines of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved — whichever is greater — and forfeiture of any property the government claims is tied to the offense. A federal felony record can also affect immigration status, professional licenses, and future employment.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission reports that 90 percent of people convicted of federal money laundering receive a prison sentence, with an average term of 69 months.
Rivas said the damage often starts long before trial. When assets are frozen or seized during an investigation, a family in Central Florida can lose access to bank accounts, face disruption to a business, or struggle to cover basic living expenses while the case works through the courts. A strong federal money laundering defense often depends on how early you seek legal help.
A related statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1957, separately criminalizes any monetary transaction over $10,000 involving criminally derived funds — without requiring proof of intent to conceal. Prosecutors routinely charge both statutes together, which can multiply sentencing exposure significantly.
Rivas also said a single federal prosecution can stack money laundering counts alongside federal drug trafficking charges, fraud, or firearms offenses, depending on the underlying conduct alleged.
Why Federal Money Laundering Defense in Orlando Requires an Experienced Defense Team
When Telemundo asked what someone should do the moment they learn federal agents are asking questions about them, Rivas was direct. “You are not required to answer questions without a lawyer,” Rivas said. “Speaking to investigators alone can seriously damage your case before it even begins.”
An Orlando criminal defense lawyer handling a federal money laundering defense case can communicate with prosecutors and agents on your behalf, analyze search warrants and grand jury subpoenas, and work to protect your rights at every stage from the initial inquiry through sentencing.
Rivas said the government’s theory of knowledge and intent is often the most vulnerable part of a money laundering case. If funds moved through multiple accounts and the person charged handled only a small piece of a larger transaction, a skilled defense lawyer can challenge what prosecutors claim the defendant actually knew. Reviewing every bank record and transaction line by line is central to that challenge.
Defense strategy can also focus on the underlying offense. If prosecutors cannot prove the crime that allegedly generated the funds, the money laundering counts become harder to sustain. Rivas said plea negotiations can address the number of counts filed, the scope of forfeiture claims, and whether mandatory minimums tied to related charges apply to the specific facts of the case.
People facing federal white-collar charges such as wire fraud or bank fraud alongside money laundering counts face a particularly wide sentencing range, Rivas said, because each count carries its own maximum and courts can impose consecutive terms.
Rivas reminded viewers that a charge is not a conviction. The government must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. A federal money laundering defense team can cross-examine witnesses, challenge how financial records were gathered and interpreted, and retain accounting or banking experts when the transactions are complex.
Call 407-644-2466 to speak with an Orlando criminal defense attorney at the Rivas Law Firm, P.A.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if federal agents contact me about money laundering in Florida?
Do not answer any questions until you have spoken with an attorney. Contact a federal money laundering defense lawyer in Orlando right away — even a brief, seemingly casual conversation with investigators before you have counsel can give prosecutors statements they will use against you later.
Can I be charged with federal money laundering even if I never handled cash directly?
Yes. Federal money laundering charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 apply to wire transfers, business account deposits, real estate purchases, and other non-cash transactions. The government’s focus is on whether you knew the funds came from illegal activity and whether you took steps to move or conceal them — not on whether physical currency changed hands.
How can an Orlando criminal defense lawyer help if I am under federal investigation for money laundering?
A criminal defense lawyer experienced in federal money laundering defense in Orlando can intervene before charges are filed, communicate directly with federal agents on your behalf, and challenge the government’s evidence at every stage of the case. Early representation can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all, narrow the scope of what prosecutors pursue, or reduce the risk of asset forfeiture while the case is pending.
Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney Jose Rivas is a veteran bilingual TV Legal Analyst who has appeared on Univision, Fox News, Telemundo, and many other news outlets. He is highly rated on professional platforms, maintaining a 4.9/5.0 rating on Avvo based on dozens of client reviews.*