Federal charges
Dallas federal internet crimes lawyer.
Federal internet cases often begin quietly, with a report from an online platform, then a search warrant early in the morning and phones and computers taken. They are among the most serious cases in federal court, with mandatory minimums for some charges and registration that can last for life. We handle them with discretion, work with our own forensic examiner to review the devices, and protect your privacy while the evidence is tested.
Right now
If agents searched your home or took your devices.
- 01
Do not answer questions or give passwords
Agents often ask to talk while the search is happening. Politely say you want a lawyer. Do not volunteer passcodes or unlock devices on request.
- 02
Do not delete, wipe or reset anything
Deleting accounts, wiping a device or using cleaning software can be charged as obstruction and makes the case harder to defend.
- 03
Do not contact anyone connected to the case
That includes anyone you were communicating with online. In sting cases, that person may be an officer.
- 04
Take care of yourself
These investigations are heavy, for you and your family. If you feel overwhelmed or unsafe, call or text 988 at any hour. Talking to a counselor is private and is not talking about the case.
- 05
Call us for a confidential consultation
The consultation is free and confidential, in English or Spanish. Bring the search warrant and the inventory if you have them.
Key deadlines and numbers
- Online enticement of a minor
- 10-year minimum, up to lifeSource: 18 U.S.C. 2422(b)
- Receiving or distributing prohibited images of minors
- 5-year minimum, up to 20Source: 18 U.S.C. 2252A(a)(2)
- Possession, first offense
- Up to 10 years (20 in some cases), no mandatory minimumSource: 18 U.S.C. 2252A(b)(2)
- Supervision after prison
- At least 5 years, up to life, for many of these offensesSource: 18 U.S.C. 3583(k)
- Restitution in image cases
- At least $3,000 per identified victimSource: 18 U.S.C. 2259
Texas law
How federal internet crime laws work.
Because the internet crosses state lines, many online offenses can be charged in federal court. The most serious involve minors, but federal law also covers cyberstalking, threats and computer intrusion. The specific charge matters a great deal: the difference between possession and receipt, for example, is the difference between no minimum and a 5-year minimum.
| Charge | Range of punishment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online enticement of a minor (2422(b)) | 10 years to life | Often a sting with an undercover officer. No real minor is required. |
| Receiving or distributing prohibited images (2252A(a)(2)) | 5 to 20 years | 15 to 40 years with a qualifying prior conviction. |
| Possessing prohibited images (2252A(a)(5)(B)) | Up to 10 years | Up to 20 if an image involves a child under 12. 10 to 20 years with a qualifying prior. |
| Cyberstalking (2261A) | Up to 5 years | Higher if there is bodily injury or a protective order was violated. |
| Threats sent across state lines (875(c)) | Up to 5 years | Includes texts, posts and messages. What the sender meant is part of the case. |
| Computer intrusion (1030) | From a misdemeanor up to 10 years or more | Depends on the system, the purpose and the damage. |
The search has to follow the warrant
Police generally need a warrant to search a phone. In internet cases we look at the tip that started it, how the account was tied to you, whether the warrant was based on stale or weak information, and whether agents searched beyond what it allowed.
Source: Riley v. California (2014)The government must prove you knew
The government must prove the person knowingly received or possessed the files. Shared devices, shared accounts, automatic downloads, files that were never opened and data in temporary storage all raise real questions that a forensic review can answer.
Source: 18 U.S.C. 2252ASting cases and entrapment
Entrapment is a defense when the government induced the crime and the person was not already inclined to commit it. The full chat history, who raised what first and how hard the officer pushed are what that defense turns on.
Source: Jacobson v. United States (1992)How the defense reviews the evidence
In cases involving images of minors, federal law keeps the material in government custody. The defense examiner reviews the device copies at a government facility. We plan that review early so it is thorough.
Source: 18 U.S.C. 3509(m)How we work
How we handle an internet crimes case.
Mr. Estrada reviews the warrant, the reports and the forensic findings and sets the strategy. Associates and staff work the case with him, and every conversation stays confidential.
01
Protect your privacy from the start
We talk with you about who needs to know, how to handle work and family, and what to say if someone asks. You will not be judged here.
02
Bring in our own forensic examiner
An independent examiner reviews the device copies, the timeline, user accounts and download history, and checks whether the government's report is accurate and complete.
03
Test the tip and the warrant
Reports from platforms, IP address records and the warrant affidavit are examined for gaps, mistakes and searches beyond their scope. When the law supports it, we move to suppress.
04
Read every message in sting cases
We get the full conversation, not excerpts, and look at age statements, who pushed the conversation forward and whether the facts support an entrapment defense.
05
Plan for the charge and the sentence
The statute in a plea can decide whether there is a mandatory minimum. We also prepare evaluations and treatment records that judges consider at sentencing.
Who handles it
The lawyer on the sign is the lawyer on your case.
Mr. Estrada has practiced in Texas since 2003, in state court and in the Northern, Eastern and Western federal districts of Texas. He reads the file and sets the strategy, with associates and staff who work the case alongside him. Everything is explained to you in English or Spanish.
What clients say
“Olegario firm made me feel like I was at home. As soon as I walked in the receptionist was very kind and professional.”Questions about life after the case.
- Will I have to register?
- Most convictions involving minors require registration under federal and Texas law, often for many years or for life. Registration affects where you can live and work, so it is part of every plea discussion.
- What about my own children?
- Release conditions and supervision terms can limit contact with minors, sometimes including your own children, and child protective services may get involved. We address this early and, when needed, coordinate with family law counsel.
- Immigration, jobs and internet use
- These offenses are generally aggravated felonies for immigration purposes, they end many careers and licenses, and supervision often includes monitoring software and limits on internet use.
Dallas and Odessa
Where these cases are investigated and heard.
In the Dallas area, these cases are usually investigated by the FBI, HSI or a regional task force working with local police, and are charged either in the Northern District of Texas at the Earle Cabell Federal Building or in Dallas County state court at the Frank Crowley Courts Building. Collin and Denton County cases go to the Eastern District in Sherman or Plano, and Ector and Midland County cases to the Western District's Midland-Odessa Division. We can meet privately at our Oak Cliff or Odessa office.
FAQ
Questions people ask.
Agents took my devices but I have not been charged. What happens now?
Forensic review can take weeks or months, and charges often come later. This is the time to hire a lawyer, stay off the accounts involved, and avoid talking to anyone about the case.
Can I be charged for files I did not know were there?
The government must prove you knew. Where files came from, whether they were opened, and who else used the device are questions a forensic examiner can help answer.
It was a sting. Does that help me?
A sting is legal, and no real minor needs to be involved for a charge. But if the officer pushed someone who was not inclined to commit the crime, entrapment may apply. The full conversation decides that.
Is there a mandatory minimum?
It depends on the charge. Enticement carries 10 years and receipt or distribution carries 5. A first possession charge has no minimum, which is why the exact charge matters so much.
Will my name be in the news?
Federal court filings are generally public, and some cases draw attention. We cannot promise privacy, but we take every lawful step to limit what is exposed and to keep your family informed first.
Could this be charged in state court instead?
Yes. Texas has its own laws on online solicitation of a minor and on these images, and some cases are filed in state court. Which court takes the case can change the penalties a great deal.
How much does it cost to hire you?
The consultation is free and confidential. We discuss the fee and payment options up front, including the cost of an independent forensic examiner when the case needs one.
Related situations
- Federal investigations and target letters
- Federal arrest and detention hearing
- Federal sentencing and plea deals
- Sex offenses
- Supervised release violations
- Other federal cases
- All: Federal Criminal Defense
Updated October 2026
This page is general information about Texas law, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
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