Six Months Instead of 25 Years
Federal wire fraud and money laundering case involving a $20 million value-added tax scheme. After filing a sentencing memorandum and arguing for downward variance, client sentenced to just six months.
At Teakell Law, we bring decades of federal prosecutorial experience to your defense. Led by former federal prosecutor John R. Teakell, our firm aggressively defends clients in a wide range of federal and white-collar criminal cases across the United States. We take a personal approach to every case — from start to finish.
Federal fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and complex financial schemes — including wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud prosecutions. We represent individuals and corporations facing the full range of federal white collar charges.
Learn More → Regulatory · SecuritiesSEC enforcement actions, Texas State Securities Board investigations, securities fraud, insider trading, and parallel criminal proceedings. John's experience as SEC Senior Trial Counsel is a rare advantage.
Learn More → Federal · FinancialFederal money laundering charges, high-asset laundering investigations, structuring allegations, and parallel criminal and civil forfeiture actions. Strategic defense for cases often tied to drug, fraud, or foreign transaction charges.
Learn More → Federal · IRSFederal tax fraud investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation Division matters, tax evasion, and falsified returns. Strategic defense through complex audits and federal prosecutions.
Learn More → Federal · HealthcareMedicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, medical billing fraud, and anti-kickback violations. We protect physicians, clinic owners, and healthcare professionals against federal enforcement actions.
Learn More → State · FederalEmployee theft, corporate embezzlement, and complex white-collar schemes. Strategic defense that dismantles the prosecution's case while protecting your reputation and career.
Learn More → Federal · ContractsBid rigging, false claims, and government contract fraud allegations. Defense for contractors, executives, and businesses under federal procurement investigation.
Learn More → Federal · FCA DefenseFalse Claims Act defense for companies and executives facing qui tam lawsuits. Strategic representation when a whistleblower complaint puts your business under federal scrutiny.
Learn More → Federal · Drug DefenseFederal drug conspiracy, trafficking, DEA investigations, confidential informants, and wiretap surveillance. Aggressive defense when your freedom is on the line.
Learn More → Federal · FirearmsFederal weapons charges, felon in possession, using a firearm during a crime. We understand how the government builds firearm-related cases and how to challenge them.
Learn More → Federal · ATFStraw purchase investigations, international firearms trafficking, and ATF enforcement. Complex defense for charges that often carry enhanced federal penalties.
Learn More → Federal · ImmigrationFederal human smuggling and immigration-related criminal charges. Strategic defense in cases involving Border Patrol, Homeland Security, and ICE investigations.
Learn More → Federal · CybercrimeFederal hacking charges, wire fraud, data breach allegations, and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) cases. When digital evidence is central, you need a skilled cybercrime attorney.
Learn More → Civil · AdministrativeAsset forfeiture cases and professional license revocations tied to federal investigations. We fight to protect your rights and restore what's yours.
Learn More → Federal · Post-ConvictionFederal criminal appeals to the Fifth Circuit and beyond, habeas corpus petitions, § 2255 motions, and sentencing modifications. For clients already convicted, strategic post-conviction advocacy can still change the outcome.
Learn More →John R. Teakell brings over 15 years of experience as a former federal prosecutor. He knows how the government builds its case — and more importantly, how to take it apart.
Teakell Law represents clients across the United States in complex federal cases. From Texas to New York, we handle investigations and indictments in any federal jurisdiction.
Our track record includes numerous dismissals, acquittals, and favorable plea deals in high-stakes federal prosecutions. We fight for the best possible outcome in every case.
Your defense starts with a conversation. Schedule a no-cost, confidential consultation to understand your options and take control of your case.
Real outcomes for real clients. These representative results are drawn from John's work defending individuals and businesses across federal and state court.
Federal wire fraud and money laundering case involving a $20 million value-added tax scheme. After filing a sentencing memorandum and arguing for downward variance, client sentenced to just six months.
SEC investigation into alleged improper revenue recognition and accounting controls at a large federal contractor. After multiple defense presentations, the SEC declined to take action against our client.
Client faced a 10-year mandatory minimum on a federal drug conspiracy. Through negotiation, removed the mandatory minimum and achieved a sentence significantly below the Sentencing Guidelines range.
Client investigated for alleged health care fraud involving changing and manipulating billing codes at clinics. After presentations to the U.S. Attorney, no charges were pursued.
Client faced 33–41 months per U.S. Sentencing Guidelines on a Bank Theft charge tied to a tax fraud scheme. At sentencing, the court granted probation — a rare outcome for this charge.
Client under federal investigation for illegal creation and sale of counterfeited passports using a computer. After defense presentations, no charges were pursued.
Answers to the questions clients most often ask when facing federal investigation, indictment, or sentencing. For anything not covered here, schedule a free consultation.
White collar crime refers to non-violent federal offenses typically involving deception for financial gain. If you've been contacted by a federal agent, received a grand jury subpoena, or learned you're the target of a federal investigation, you need a federal white collar attorney immediately — before anyone at your company gives a statement. John R. Teakell, a former federal prosecutor, defends clients across the full range of white collar charges in federal court.
Specific charges John defends:
Do not speak with SEC staff, produce documents, or accept service of a subpoena without counsel. Everything you say or produce becomes part of the investigative record. As a former SEC Senior Trial Counsel, John understands how SEC investigations are built internally, what enforcement staff are looking for, and where the strategic off-ramps exist — including Wells submissions that can persuade the Commission to close a matter without action.
Securities matters John handles:
Federal money laundering charges under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957 carry up to 20 years per count, plus massive forfeiture exposure. These cases are rarely brought alone — they typically accompany drug, fraud, tax, or healthcare charges. The government must prove you knew the money came from specified unlawful activity. That knowledge element is often where strong defenses are built. High-asset cases also trigger parallel civil forfeiture proceedings that require simultaneous defense strategy.
Money laundering matters John defends:
Federal drug cases are fundamentally different from state cases. Federal prosecutions involve mandatory minimums (often 5, 10, or 20 years), the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, wiretap evidence, confidential informants, and DEA or FBI agents who've often been building the case for a year or more before indictment. A federal drug conspiracy charge means you can be held accountable for drug quantities you never personally touched. Strategy differs entirely from state court — early cooperation decisions, Guidelines calculations, and safety valve eligibility all need to be evaluated immediately.
Federal drug charges John handles:
Federal firearms charges carry much higher stakes than state gun offenses. Felon in possession carries up to 10 years. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime adds a mandatory consecutive sentence of 5 to 25 years on top of the underlying charge. The Armed Career Criminal Act can trigger a 15-year mandatory minimum for defendants with three qualifying prior convictions. These cases require early, aggressive defense — often involving challenges to the stop, the search, the "constructive possession" theory, or the predicate offense.
Firearms charges John defends:
A qui tam lawsuit is filed under the False Claims Act (FCA) by a private whistleblower — often a former employee — alleging that a company defrauded the federal government. The case stays sealed while the Department of Justice investigates. If DOJ intervenes, the company faces treble damages plus per-claim penalties. Defense requires immediate, coordinated strategy: preserving documents, conducting an internal investigation, engaging DOJ before charges are filed, and evaluating settlement posture vs. trial risk. John represents companies and executives on the defense side of qui tam matters.
Whistleblower and qui tam matters John handles:
Yes. After a federal conviction, you have 14 days to file a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals (in Texas, that's the Fifth Circuit). After direct appeal, § 2255 motions allow collateral challenges for ineffective assistance of counsel, newly discovered evidence, or constitutional violations. Sentence reductions under § 3582, compassionate release, and amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines may also offer relief. Appellate work is fundamentally different from trial work — it's about record review, brief-writing, and identifying legal errors. John has assisted on federal appellate matters including a Fifth Circuit case involving a multi-million dollar judgment.
Appeals and post-conviction matters John handles:
Federal defense fees vary widely depending on the complexity of the case, the stage (investigation, indictment, trial, or appeal), the volume of discovery, and whether trial is likely. John offers a free initial consultation to discuss your situation, evaluate the charges or investigation, and give you a clear understanding of the process and potential costs. Fees are typically structured as flat fees for defined stages or hourly rates for open-ended investigations — what's right depends on the matter.
What a free consultation covers:
Every federal criminal case starts with a conversation. Tell us what you're facing, and John will personally review your situation. All consultations are free and strictly confidential.
Response within one business day. For urgent matters, call directly.
2911 Turtle Creek Blvd, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75219