TEXAS STATE PENAL CODES
(FEDREAL CHARGES)
This section outlines offenses that fall under federal jurisdiction, including crimes that cross state lines, involve federal property, or violate national laws. It covers major offenses such as terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, and large-scale fraud, ensuring coordination between state and federal authorities to uphold national security and justice.
Entering the United States through unlawful means without proper documentation or inspection by customs or immigration authorities. Violates "8 U.S. Code § 1325 -Improper Entry by Alien" and, if previously deported and reentering, "8 U.S. Code § 1326 - Reentry of Removed Aliens".
This is a federal criminal offense. Enforcement authority lies within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
State and local law enforcement may not independently enforce this statute unless operating under a formal 287(g) agreement with federal authorities pursuant to 8 U.S. Code § 1357(g). State or local officers may detain and notify ICE if a valid immigration detainer or warrant is present but cannot make an arrest solely for illegal presence.
The individual must have willfully and voluntarily entered the country, bypassing legal immigration procedures.
Any act committed against federal property that results in damage, destruction, or vandalism, including the use of explosive devices. This includes but is not limited to arson on federal property, vandalism, and destruction of property through explosive means.
The act must be committed of the individual’s own free will.
Federal Property is defined as any building, structure, vehicle, land, object, or installation owned, leased, or operated by the United States Government or any of its agencies.
This offense falls under 18 U.S. Code § 1361 (Government Property or Contracts), 18 U.S. Code § 844(f) (Arson or Explosives Against Federal Property), and related federal statutes.
These crimes are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). State and local law enforcement must immediately notify federal authorities when such offenses occur.
The unlawful theft or misappropriation of funds from a federally insured or federally owned financial institution.
This includes any act where an individual, through employment, access, or fraudulent means, knowingly diverts, steals, or misuses funds belonging to or held by the institution.
This offense violates 18 U.S. Code § 656 (Theft, Embezzlement, or Misapplication by Bank Officer or Employee) and related federal financial statutes.
This crime falls under federal jurisdiction, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) must be contacted immediately upon discovery of such activity.
Any individual employed at a private or federally owned financial institution who knowingly creates, alters, or falsifies bank records.
The individual must act of their own free will; coercion does not qualify for this offense.
This includes modifying monetary values, loan records, account balances, or transaction histories in any way that misrepresents the true financial data.
This offense violates federal statutes regarding financial fraud and bank record falsification and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual employed at a private or federally owned financial institution who knowingly modifies records, loans, or other financial instruments for personal gain.
The act must be committed voluntarily and of the individual’s own free will.
This includes altering bank records, loan terms, or financial documents to obtain monetary or personal benefit, as well as skimming funds from bank loans or accounts.
This offense violates federal banking and financial fraud statutes and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual or company that files for bankruptcy under false pretenses to obtain financial or personal gain.
This includes misrepresenting assets, liabilities, or funding, or claiming bankruptcy when the entity is not truly insolvent, for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining benefits.
This offense violates 18 U.S. Code § 157 (Bankruptcy Fraud) and is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Trustee Program (UST).
Any individual who breaches public trust or abuses a governmental or public position for personal or financial gain.
This may occur within government sectors, with or without private-sector accomplices.
The offense is committed when an individual demands, solicits, accepts, or agrees to receive anything of value in exchange for being influenced in their official decisions, including but not limited to vote buying, contract manipulation, or preferential treatment.
This offense violates federal anti-corruption statutes and is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual, company, or government entity that violates the civil rights of another person.
The offense occurs when the violation infringes upon rights protected by the U.S. Constitution or federal law, including but not limited to the rights of citizens, workers, immigrants, or unborn children.
This offense falls under federal jurisdiction and is investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual who unlawfully accesses, intrudes upon, or interferes with computer systems, hardware, software, or email communications belonging to federal employees or government officials.
This includes attempts to read, alter, delete, or transmit information without authorization.
This offense violates federal computer crime statutes and is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual who knowingly counterfeits U.S. currency or forges official documents, including but not limited to identification, financial instruments, or government-issued papers.
This offense violates federal counterfeiting and forgery statutes and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Depending on the nature of the offense, the United States Secret Service (USSS) or other federal investigative agencies may also be contacted.
Any individual who engages in fraudulent activity within a corporation for personal or corporate gain.
This includes schemes involving money, stocks, securities, or other corporate assets, designed to benefit the corporation or individuals within it.
This offense violates federal corporate fraud statutes and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual who uses a credit card, debit card, or other payment instrument fraudulently to obtain money, property, or services.
This includes unauthorized use, alteration, or misrepresentation of payment information for personal or financial gain.
This offense violates federal fraud statutes and is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Depending on the nature of the offense, the United States Secret Service (USSS) or other federal investigative agencies may also be contacted.
Any individual who traffics, distributes, or transports federally controlled substances across state lines or into the United States from foreign countries.
This includes possession with intent to distribute, sale, or movement of illegal drugs in violation of federal law.
This offense falls under the jurisdiction of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and violates applicable federal drug trafficking statutes.
Any individual or group who recruits, kidnaps, transports, or harbors persons with the intent to subject them to forced labor, involuntary servitude, or sexual exploitation.
The act must be committed knowingly and willingly, with the victim coerced, threatened, or deceived.
This offense violates federal human trafficking statutes and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The illegal transport, distribution, or sale of firearms or other regulated weapons with the intent to sell, trade, or supply individuals or organizations unlawfully.
Weapons trafficking is a federal offense and includes the movement of weapons across state or national borders without proper authorization or licensing.
Any individual who produces, possesses, distributes, or solicits pornography that contains explicit imagery of minors or unconsenting individuals.
This includes sharing, selling, or requesting such material for personal, financial, or other gain.
If the victim is under the age of 18, authorities and individuals should contact Child Protection Services (CPS) immediately in addition to law enforcement.
These offenses violate federal child exploitation and pornography statutes and fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and relevant Private Investigative agencies (PI) depending on the situation.
Enhanced penalties may apply for distribution across state or international lines.
Any individual who unlawfully seizes, detains, or confines another person while threatening to kill, harm, or injure them, generally using the victim as a bargaining tool against a third party.
The act must be committed knowingly and voluntarily.
This is considered a federal offense only when the act is connected to another federal crime, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Any individual who embezzles, misappropriates, or steals funds, property, or assets belonging to the federal government or its programs.
The offense includes theft of government money, equipment, supplies, or other property intended for official use.
This crime violates federal embezzlement and theft statutes and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual, company, or entity that violates United States environmental protection laws, resulting in damage to air, water, soil, wildlife, or ecosystems.
This includes illegal dumping, contamination, emissions, or destruction of protected natural resources.
This offense falls under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and related federal environmental statutes.
Any individual who escapes from federal custody, flees to avoid prosecution, or evades capture as a wanted person under federal law.
This includes attempts to avoid arrest, court appearances, or lawful detention by federal authorities.
This offense falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Marshals Service (USMS).
Any individual who unlawfully seizes, takes, or confines a person through force, threats, or coercion without the victim’s consent.
Unlike hostage-taking, the victim is not used as leverage against a third party.
This is considered a federal offense only when the act is connected to another federal crime, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Any individual who intentionally inflicts severe physical or mental pain or suffering on another person.
The act must be committed knowingly and willingly.
This is considered a federal offense only when the act is connected to another federal crime, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual who plants, tampers with, or destroys evidence in an investigation with the intent to frame another individual, mislead an investigation, or delay law enforcement actions.
This includes altering, moving, concealing, or modifying any item considered relevant to a criminal investigation.
This is considered a federal offense only when the act is connected to another federal crime, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual who organizes, promotes, encourages, participates in, or carries out a riot.
Peaceful protests are not considered riots, and are protected under the first amendment; this offense applies when a group damages property or causes injury to others.
This offense falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Marshals Service (USMS).
Any individual or group who uses force, violence, or threats against persons to coerce the government, civilians, or any segment of the population in order to advance political, social, or ideological objectives.
This offense includes acts that endanger public safety, property, or national security.
This crime falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Any individual who communicates a threat that causes immediate, widespread fear and who has the means to carry out the threat.
To qualify, the threat must meet the following criteria:
Willful: Made intentionally.
Specific intent: Intended to instill fear or coerce.
Unequivocal, unconditional, and specific: Clearly describes the intended harm.
Capability: The individual is capable and intends to carry out the threat.
This offense falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Any individual who fraudulently represents themselves as a government official for personal gain, influence, or deception.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Driving a vehicle that appears to be owned or operated by a government agency, law enforcement, or emergency services.
Attempting to stop, detain, or pull over civilians.
Wearing uniforms or clothing that resembles those of a government agency.
Acting as an attorney without proper bar certification.
Assuming any government office or official role without lawful authority.
This offense violates federal statutes regarding impersonation of officials and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Any individual who accepts payment or other consideration to intentionally kill or cause the death of another person on behalf of a third party.
This includes planning, soliciting, or carrying out the act as part of a prearranged agreement for compensation.
This offense violates federal statutes regarding contract killing and murder-for-hire schemes and falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The unlawful killing of another individual with malice aforethought, committed in the first, second, or third degree, in connection with a federal offense.
Capital murder is considered one of the most serious crimes under federal law and may be punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction.
