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Offenses that trigger federal forfeiture
arranged alphabetically by topic, H - Z

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Updated 7/20/2014

Note:  A large number of forfeiture statutes are stand-alone statutes, prescribing forfeiture as a penalty for a single offense or related group of offenses.  Other forfeitable offenses have been added by incorporating by reference other statutes listing numerous offenses.   The largest number of the incorporated by reference statutes were incorporated through 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C), which incorporates by reference "any offense constituting 'specified unlawful activity' as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1956(c)(7)(B).  Section 1956(c)(7)(B) names numerous specific criminal statutes and incorporates by reference the "racketeering offenses" listed in 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1), which in turn lists a large number of specific criminal statutes as well as several broad categories of crimes.  Any crimes from those lists can be prosecuted as a civil forfeiture under § 981. 

Many of the same offenses listed in § 981 trigger criminal forfeiture under statutes incorporated by reference in 18 U.S.C. § 982.   Additionally, any civil forfeiture statute which does not have a criminal forfeiture counterpart -- either under a specific criminal forfeiture statute or § 982 -- can be prosecuted as a criminal forfeiture under 28 U.S.C. § 2461.

[*] denotes criminal statutes incorporated by reference in 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)
[**] denotes criminal statutes incorporated by reference as "specified unlawful activities" in 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(a)(1)(C) & 1956(c)(7)
[***] denotes criminal statutes incorporated by reference as "racketeering offenses" in 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(a)(1)(C), 1956(c)(7) & 1961(1)

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Health care

• 18 U.S.C. § 1956(c)(7)(F),  federal healthcare offense [**]

Immigration

• 8 U.S.C. § 1324, Bringing In and Harboring Certain Aliens, if done for financial gain [***]
• 8 U.S.C. § 1327, Assisting Aliens to enter US, if done for financial gain [***]
• 8 U.S.C. § 1328, importation of aliens for immoral purpose, if done for financial gain [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1425, unlawful procurement of citizenship or nationalization papers [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1426, reproduction of citizenship or nationalization papers [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1427, sale of citizenship or nationalization papers [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1542, false statement in obtaining or using passport [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1543, forgery or false use of passport [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1544, misuse of passport [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1546, fraud and misuse of visas and permits [***]

Internal Revenue Service

• 26 U.S.C. § 7302 Forfeiture of Property Used in Violation of Internal Revenue Laws
• 26 U.S.C. § 7303 Other property subject to forfeiture under IRS laws, including counterfeit tax stamps, contents of packages with fraudulent tax stamps or fraudulent bonds, permits or entries

Labor unions

• 29 U.S.C. § 186, restrictions on payments and loans to unions [***]
• 29 U.S.C. § 501(c), embezzlement of union funds [***]

Money laundering & the catch-all forfeiture statutes

• 18 U.S.C. § 981, Civil forfeiture for property used to facilitate, or proceeds of violations of any of the following statutes:
  • 18 U.S.C. § 1956, money laundering the proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity
  • 18 U.S.C. § 1957, engaging in transactions with the proceeds of federal crimes listed under 18 U.S.C. § 1956
  • 18 U.S.C. § 1960,  conducting an illegal money transmitting business
   
 
• 18 U.S.C. § 1956, financial transctions involving the proceeds of "specified unlawful activity"

• 18 U.S.C. § 152, Concealment of assets, false oath under penalty of perjury, fraudulent claims, bankruptcy fraud
• 18 U.S.C. § 215, corruptly giving or receiving a commission or gift for procuring loan
• 18 U.S.C. § 500, making, forging or possessing counterfeit or forged money orders
• 18 U.S.C. § 501, making, forging or possessing counterfeit or forged U.S. postage stamp, or postage meter stamp
• 18 U.S.C. § 502, making, forging or possessing counterfeit or forged foreign postage stamp, or revenue stamp
• 18 U.S.C. § 503, forging or counterfeiting postmarking stamps
• 18 U.S.C. § 513, making, possessing or uttering (passing) forged securities
• 18 U.S.C. § 542, entry of goods by means of false statements
• 18 U.S.C. § 545, smuggling goods into the U.S.
• 18 U.S.C. § 549, removing goods from customs, breaking customs seals or affixing false customs seals
• 18 U.S.C. § 641, theft, embezzlement, etc. of government property
• 18 U.S.C. § 656, theft, embezzlement or misapplication by bank officer or employee
• 18 U.S.C. § 657, theft, embezzlement or misapplication by officer or employee or FDIC or other bank regulator or receiver
• 18 U.S.C. § 658, fraudulently removing or concealing property mortgaged by the government
• 18 U.S.C. § 666, theft or bribery by employee of agency or organization receiving federal funds
• 18 U.S.C. § 793, gathering, transmitting or losing defense information
• 18 U.S.C. § 794, gathering, transmitting or losing defense information to aid foreign government
• 18 U.S.C. § 798, disclosure of classified information
• 18 U.S.C. § 875, interstate communication of kidnapping ransom demands or threats
• 18 U.S.C. § 1005, false or fraudulent statement by officer or employee of bank
• 18 U.S.C. § 1006, false or fraudulent statement by agent or employee or FDIC, RTC or other banking regulator or receiver
• 18 U.S.C. § 1007, false or fraudulent statement to FDIC
• 18 U.S.C. § 1014, false or fraudulent statement to loan officer
• 18 U.S.C. § 1032, concealing assets from conservator, receiver or liquidator of financial institution
• 18 U.S.C. § 1201, kidnapping
• 18 U.S.C. § 1203, hostage taking
• 18 U.S.C. § 1708, theft or receipt of stolen mail matter
• 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1) - incorporating by reference all "racketeering offenses"
• 18 U.S.C. § 2113, bank robbery
• 18 U.S.C. § 2114, robbery of postal worker or other person having lawful control of property of the United States
• 18 U.S.C. § 2319, criminal infringement of a copyright
• 18 U.S.C. § 2320, trafficking in counterfeit goods or services
• 19 U.S.C. § 1590, aviation or maritime smuggling
• 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., felony violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (pollution of U.S. waterways)
• 33 U.S.C. § 1415, ocean dumping
• 33 U.S.C. § 1908, felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships
• 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq., felony violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act
• 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., felony violation of the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (solid waste disposal violations)

Money transmittal businesses

• 18 U.S.C. § 1960, Forfeiture relating to the unlicensed operation of a money transmittal business [*]

Obstruction of justice

• 18 U.S.C. § 1503, obstruction of justice - influencing juror [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1510, obstruction of criminal investigation [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1511, obstruction of state or local law enforcement [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1512, tampering with witness, victim, informant [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1513, retaliation against witness, victim, informant [***]

Polluting

• 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., felony violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (pollution of U.S. waterways) [**]
• 33 U.S.C. § 1415, ocean dumping [**]
• 33 U.S.C. § 1908, felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships [**]
• 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq., felony violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act [**]
• 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., felony violation of the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (solid waste disposal violations) [**]

Pornography & child sexual exploitation - (See also Slavery and trafficking in persons)

• 18 U.S.C. § 1461, mailing obscene or crime-inciting material [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1462, importation or transportation of obscene matters [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1463, mailing indecent matter on wrappers or envelopes [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1464, broadcasting obscene language [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1465, production and transcportation of obscene matters for sale [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1467, Criminal Forfeiture relating to obscene materials
• 18 U.S.C. § 1961, state felonies involving murder, kidnapping, gambling, arson, robbery, bribery, extortion, deadling in obscene matter or deadline in a controlled substance or listed chemical [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2251, Sexual exploitation of children (child pornography) [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2251A, Parent selling or transferring custody of child for purpose of producing child pornography [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2252, Possession, transportation and sales of child pornography [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2253, Criminal forfeiture penalties for child pornography
• 18 U.S.C. § 2254, Civil forfeiture for child pornography
• 18 U.S.C. § 2260, Civil forfeiture for child pornography [***]

Prison-made goods -- shipping regulations

• 18 U.S.C. § 1762, Penalties for failure to mark packages containing prisoner made goods

Public assistance

• 7 U.S.C. § 2024, felony food stamp fraud > $5,000[**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1954, unlawful welfare payments [***]

Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO)

• 18 U.S.C. § 1952, transportation in aid of racketeering [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1962, RICO "prohibited activities"
• 18 U.S.C. § 1963, RICO criminal penalties

Slavery, trafficking in persons

• 18 U.S.C. § 1581, Peonage, obstructing enforcement [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1582, Vessels for slave trade [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1583, Enticement into slavery [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1584, Sale into involuntary servitude [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1585, Seizure, detention, transportation or sale of slaves [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1586, Service on vessels of slave trade [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1587, Possession of slaves aboard vessel [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1588, Transportation of slaves from United States [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1589, Forced labor [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1590, Trafficking with respect to peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude or forced labor [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1591,  Sex trafficking of children or by force, fraud or coercion [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1592,  Unlawful conduct regarding documents in furtherance of peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude or forced labor [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2421,  transportation of person for prostitution [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2422,  coercion or enticement of person to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2423,   transportation of minors for sexual activity or prostitution [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2424,   harboring alien for prostitution [***]

Smuggling

• 18 U.S.C. § 545, Smuggling goods into the U.S
• 18 U.S.C. § 549, Smuggling goods out of the US [**]
• 19 U.S.C. § 1590, Aviation smuggling [**]
• 22 U.S.C. § 2778(c), Entry of goods falsely classified [**]

Specified Unlawful Activity  - this long laundry list of offenses from 18 U.S.C. § 1956(c)(7) is incorporated by reference into 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C)

• 18 U.S.C. § 1956(c)(7), Specified Unlawful Activity, defined
• OR - See the table of SUA crimes from the DOJ publication Selected Federal Asset Forfeiture Statutes (in PDF format)

Terrorism & crimes against foreign countries (see also Violent crimes; War and National Defense)

• 18 U.S.C. § 175, Prohibitions with regard to biological weapons [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 175b, Possession of biological agents by restricted persons [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 175c, Prohibited conduct regarding variola virus (smallpox) [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 176,  Seizure and forfeiture of biological agents
• 18 U.S.C. § 229,  Possesion or production of chemical weapons [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 831,  Possesion or production of nuclear weapons or materials [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1956(c)(7)(B), Ttransaction inside US involving offense against a foreign nation involving drug violations, murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, destruction of property by fire or explosive device, crime of violence, fraud by or against a foreign bank, bribery of a public official, embezzlement of public funds by public official, smuggling munitions or controlled substances, an offense which multilateral treaty requires extradition, trafficking in persons or children, child sexual exploitation [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2332, Terrorist acts abroad against US nationals [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2332a, Weapons of mass destruction [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2332b, Terrorist acts transcending national boundaries [***] (Note:  § 2332b(g)(5)(B) contains another long list of criminal statutes incorporated by reference - but the criminal acts must be designed to intimidate, coerce or retaliate against a government)
• 18 U.S.C. § 2332g, Missile systems designed to destroy aircraft [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2332h, Radiological dispersal devices [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2339A,  Providing material support to terrorists [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2339B,  Providing material support to foreign terrorist organizations[**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2339C,  Financing terrorism [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2339D,  Receiving military training from foreign terrorist organization [**]

Theft and stolen property

• 18 U.S.C. § 553, Importation or exportation of stolen vehicles, vessels or aircraft [*]
• 18 U.S.C. § 641, Embezzlement or theft of public money [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 666, Theft or bribery concerning agency or organization receiving federal funds [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1708, Theft from the U.S. mails [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2113, Bank robbery [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2114, Postal robbery and theft [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2314, Transportation of stolen goods, securities, moneys, fraudulent state tax stamps or articles used in counterfeiting [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2315, Sale or receipt of stolen goods, securities, moneys, fraudulent state tax stamps [***]

Transportation Of Contraband

• 49 U.S.C. § 80302, Prohibitions
• 49 U.S.C. § 80303, Seizure and forfeiture

Violent crimes (see also Terrorism)

• 18 U.S.C. § 37, Violence at airports  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 115, Threats or violence against US official, judge, law enforcement (or family member thereof) to impede or retaliate for performance of official duties  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 351, Assassination of Congressman, cabinet officer  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 844(f) or (i), Destruction by fire or explosives of government property or property affecting commerce  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 875, Transmitting kidnapping threat or ransom demand, or threat of extortion  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 956, Conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure property in foreign country  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1111, Murder  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1114, Murder of federal employee  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1116, Murder of foreign official  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1201, Kidnapping  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1203, Hostage taking  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1363, Destruction or injury of property within special maritime or territorial jurisdiction  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1751, Presidential assassination  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1958, Murder for hire [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1961, State felonies involving murder, kidnapping, gambling, arson, robbery, bribery, extortion, deadling in obscene matter or deadline in a controlled substance or listed chemical [***]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2113, Bank robbery [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2280, Violence against maritime navigation  [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 2281, Violence against maritime fixed platforms  [**]

War and National Defense (see also Terrorism)

• 15 U.S.C. § 77, Discrimination against neutral Americans in time of war
• 18 U.S.C. § 793, Gathering, transmitting or losing defense information [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 794, Gathering or delivering defense information to aid foreign government [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 831, Transactions involving nuclear materials [**]
• 18 U.S.C. § 1956(c)(7)(D), "Any felony violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" [**] (this probably refers to 15 U.S.C. § 78dd-2)
• 22 U.S.C. § 401,  Exportation of arms or munitions of war
• 42 U.S.C. § 2122 et seq., Any felony violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [**]
• 50 U.S.C. § 1702,  Patriot Act, Presidential authority (& International Emergency Economic Powers Act) [**]
• 50 U.S.C. Appendix § 16, War and National Defense forfeiture provisions

Welfare and public assistance

• 42 U.S.C. § 1786(p),  Criminal forfeiture for food stamp and public assistance fraud

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Click here to go to Part I - Federal Offenses That Trigger Forfeiture A - G