Terrorism

Generally speaking, there are two main forms of terrorism: domestic terrorism and international terrorism.

Domestic terrorism refers to violent acts committed by American citizens against American people or property. This is done without foreign influence or support and is intended to terrorize the American people and further the terrorists’ agenda.

International terrorism is defined under 18 U.S.C. Section 2331 as involving violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law. Moreover, these acts must appear to be intended to either intimidate or coerce a civilian population, to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping, among other crimes.

What distinguishes international terrorism from domestic terrorism is that international terrorism must occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States or transcend national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum.

International terrorism is often associated with organized crime because terrorists and their supporters need money to finance their activities. Terrorists often engage in crimes such as extortion, kidnapping, robbery, corruption, smuggling and harboring aliens, document fraud, arms trafficking, cybercrime, white-collar crime, smuggling of contraband, money laundering, and drug trafficking. Under 18 U.S.C. Section 2332d, directly or indirectly financing terrorist activities is a crime unto itself and can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison.

18 U.S.C. Section 2331, chapter 113B, defines charges related to international terrorism. They include:

• 2332d – Financial Transactions, meaning engaging in a financial transaction with known or suspected terrorists;
• 2332f – Bombings of places of public use, government facilities, public transportation systems, and infrastructure facilities;
• 2332g – Missile systems designed to destroy aircraft;
• 2332h – Radiological dispersal devices;
• 2332i – Acts of nuclear terrorism;
• 2339 – Harboring or concealing terrorists;
• 2339A – Providing material support to terrorists;
• 2339B – Providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations;
• 2339C – Prohibitions against the financing of terrorism;
• 2339D – Receiving military-type training from a foreign terrorist organization.

Terrorism is one of the most serious crimes and carries some of the most severe consequences. Murdering a United States national outside of the USA is punishable by death or life in prison.

If you have been charged with any federal crime related to terrorism, it is essential that you contact an experienced federal attorney immediately. Walk Free Law would like to discuss your situation with you today.