Offence typesFY2018–FY2025
Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement
Primary offence type · Commission code 16 · 8.3% of federal cases
The datafile contains cases reported to the Commission with sentencing documents. Sentence length statistics use the Commission's capped variable (sentences of 470 months or longer, including life, are recorded as 470 months) and exclude sentences of probation or a fine only. Figures are aggregates of past cases and are not a prediction for any case.
§ 1Length of prison terms, all districts
Interquartile range 6–37 months; mean 28. 12 cases at the 470-month cap (life or longer).
§ 2Summary
Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement was the primary offence type in 43,521 federal cases sentenced across 8 fiscal years (FY2018–FY2025), 8.3% of all cases reported to the Commission, with 5,080 in FY2025.
The national median prison term for fraud, theft and embezzlement offences was 20 months (1 yr 8 mo), against 24 months for all cases; 74% of cases carried a prison term and the middle half of terms fell between 6 and 37 months.
44% of sentences were within the guideline range, 25% below it on a government motion, 29% below it for other reasons and 3% above it.
The districts with the most fraud, theft and embezzlement offences were the Southern District of Florida (2,660), the Central District of California (1,917) and the Southern District of New York (1,912).
FY2025 had fewer cases than FY2018 (5,080 against 6,620). The median prison term in FY2025 (19 months) was shorter than in FY2018 (22 months).
§ 3Position relative to the guideline range
Within guideline range 44%Above range 3%Below range, government sponsored 25%Below range, other 29%Not determinable 442
| Measure | Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement | All offence types |
|---|---|---|
| Median prison months | 20 | 24 |
| Mean prison months | 28 | 51 |
| Cases with a prison term | 74% | 92% |
| Within guideline range | 44% | 47% |
| Above range | 3% | 3% |
| Below range, government sponsored | 25% | 29% |
| Below range, other | 29% | 21% |
| Median final offence level | 14 | 17 |
| Criminal history category I | 71% | 46% |
§ 4Districts compared
Every district with at least one case, most cases first. Districts with at least 30 cases in 2021–2025 link to a district × offence page; others link to the district's overview. Rows under 10 cases show the count only.
| District | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern District of Florida S.D. Fla. | 2,660 | 87% | 28 | 51% | 16% | 33% |
| Central District of California C.D. Cal. | 1,917 | 80% | 24 | 35% | 29% | 34% |
| Southern District of New York S.D.N.Y. | 1,912 | 90% | 17 | 21% | 19% | 59% |
| Middle District of Florida M.D. Fla. | 1,353 | 68% | 24 | 44% | 20% | 34% |
| Southern District of Texas S.D. Tex. | 1,338 | 83% | 12 | 61% | 20% | 16% |
| Western District of Texas W.D. Tex. | 1,333 | 74% | 6 | 70% | 11% | 12% |
| Eastern District of Virginia E.D. Va. | 1,146 | 73% | 27 | 51% | 14% | 33% |
| Northern District of Texas N.D. Tex. | 1,063 | 82% | 30 | 56% | 19% | 18% |
| District of Arizona D. Ariz. | 1,033 | 75% | 3 | 67% | 25% | 9% |
| Southern District of California S.D. Cal. | 980 | 82% | 9 | 50% | 31% | 7% |
| District of New Jersey D.N.J. | 945 | 73% | 21 | 34% | 43% | 23% |
| Northern District of Illinois N.D. Ill. | 921 | 73% | 21 | 23% | 22% | 54% |
| Eastern District of New York E.D.N.Y. | 902 | 70% | 12 | 23% | 31% | 44% |
| Eastern District of Michigan E.D. Mich. | 902 | 84% | 24 | 24% | 23% | 53% |
| Eastern District of Missouri E.D. Mo. | 842 | 69% | 18 | 42% | 24% | 32% |
| Eastern District of Pennsylvania E.D. Pa. | 784 | 72% | 18 | 37% | 32% | 30% |
| Northern District of Georgia N.D. Ga. | 738 | 80% | 29 | 33% | 35% | 30% |
| Northern District of Ohio N.D. Ohio | 697 | 70% | 24 | 43% | 28% | 28% |
| District of South Carolina D.S.C. | 694 | 73% | 18 | 43% | 25% | 31% |
| District of Massachusetts D. Mass. | 660 | 85% | 15 | 30% | 33% | 33% |
| District of Maryland D. Md. | 656 | 80% | 24 | 27% | 42% | 29% |
| Southern District of Ohio S.D. Ohio | 651 | 58% | 15 | 28% | 43% | 28% |
| Eastern District of Texas E.D. Tex. | 635 | 73% | 27 | 54% | 27% | 13% |
| District of Puerto Rico D.P.R. | 577 | 32% | 16 | 55% | 31% | 11% |
| Northern District of California N.D. Cal. | 555 | 70% | 18 | 29% | 36% | 34% |
| Northern District of Alabama N.D. Ala. | 512 | 67% | 21 | 50% | 28% | 20% |
| Western District of Pennsylvania W.D. Pa. | 511 | 63% | 18 | 46% | 22% | 31% |
| Eastern District of Louisiana E.D. La. | 479 | 52% | 18 | 54% | 17% | 27% |
| Eastern District of North Carolina E.D.N.C. | 461 | 69% | 21 | 57% | 25% | 17% |
| Eastern District of California E.D. Cal. | 459 | 85% | 31 | 43% | 29% | 28% |
| Western District of Washington W.D. Wash. | 415 | 57% | 18 | 43% | 34% | 22% |
| Western District of Missouri W.D. Mo. | 414 | 54% | 24 | 43% | 18% | 35% |
| Western District of North Carolina W.D.N.C. | 404 | 81% | 29 | 50% | 27% | 20% |
| District of Minnesota D. Minn. | 368 | 69% | 21 | 25% | 37% | 36% |
| Southern District of Mississippi S.D. Miss. | 365 | 72% | 14 | 54% | 24% | 21% |
| Middle District of Pennsylvania M.D. Pa. | 364 | 72% | 21 | 53% | 23% | 23% |
| Western District of New York W.D.N.Y. | 357 | 67% | 12 | 43% | 36% | 19% |
| District of Connecticut D. Conn. | 344 | 81% | 21 | 26% | 28% | 45% |
| Western District of Michigan W.D. Mich. | 334 | 68% | 24 | 58% | 14% | 24% |
| District of Nevada D. Nev. | 332 | 67% | 25 | 31% | 54% | 15% |
| Western District of Oklahoma W.D. Okla. | 332 | 70% | 18 | 49% | 12% | 33% |
| District of Kansas D. Kan. | 325 | 64% | 18 | 51% | 31% | 16% |
| District of Oregon D. Or. | 321 | 68% | 21 | 29% | 50% | 20% |
| District of Utah D. Utah | 321 | 65% | 24 | 35% | 50% | 14% |
| District of Columbia D.D.C. | 318 | 72% | 18 | 39% | 28% | 32% |
| Western District of Louisiana W.D. La. | 318 | 62% | 24 | 60% | 11% | 25% |
| Western District of Tennessee W.D. Tenn. | 316 | 80% | 12 | 46% | 23% | 29% |
| District of Nebraska D. Neb. | 311 | 73% | 12 | 43% | 14% | 36% |
| Northern District of Indiana N.D. Ind. | 310 | 59% | 24 | 50% | 16% | 33% |
| Middle District of Georgia M.D. Ga. | 305 | 73% | 24 | 65% | 17% | 16% |
| Eastern District of Kentucky E.D. Ky. | 301 | 80% | 18 | 53% | 13% | 34% |
| Western District of Kentucky W.D. Ky. | 301 | 57% | 21 | 46% | 31% | 23% |
| District of Colorado D. Colo. | 296 | 72% | 22 | 45% | 28% | 26% |
| Eastern District of Tennessee E.D. Tenn. | 293 | 75% | 24 | 58% | 24% | 17% |
| Eastern District of Arkansas E.D. Ark. | 287 | 59% | 21 | 52% | 12% | 30% |
| Southern District of Alabama S.D. Ala. | 286 | 82% | 13 | 52% | 13% | 33% |
| Northern District of New York N.D.N.Y. | 282 | 66% | 19 | 46% | 22% | 31% |
| District of South Dakota D.S.D. | 272 | 68% | 12 | 66% | 12% | 17% |
| Northern District of Florida N.D. Fla. | 269 | 67% | 22 | 47% | 16% | 34% |
| Northern District of Oklahoma N.D. Okla. | 268 | 63% | 14 | 62% | 20% | 17% |
| Southern District of Indiana S.D. Ind. | 267 | 81% | 27 | 40% | 26% | 32% |
| Western District of Virginia W.D. Va. | 261 | 67% | 18 | 53% | 15% | 27% |
| District of New Mexico D.N.M. | 259 | 80% | 6 | 61% | 21% | 17% |
| Southern District of Georgia S.D. Ga. | 256 | 66% | 21 | 54% | 29% | 12% |
| Eastern District of Wisconsin E.D. Wis. | 252 | 67% | 22 | 28% | 28% | 42% |
| District of Montana D. Mont. | 249 | 69% | 24 | 45% | 18% | 36% |
| Central District of Illinois C.D. Ill. | 222 | 86% | 12 | 46% | 14% | 36% |
| District of Idaho D. Idaho | 221 | 68% | 18 | 68% | 18% | 13% |
| District of Rhode Island D.R.I. | 209 | 85% | 24 | 27% | 30% | 43% |
| Southern District of Illinois S.D. Ill. | 203 | 62% | 23 | 55% | 28% | 14% |
| Middle District of Alabama M.D. Ala. | 203 | 76% | 25 | 51% | 20% | 28% |
| Northern District of Iowa N.D. Iowa | 189 | 91% | 12 | 56% | 16% | 22% |
| Eastern District of Washington E.D. Wash. | 189 | 76% | 7 | 50% | 29% | 19% |
| Middle District of Louisiana M.D. La. | 179 | 71% | 22 | 41% | 23% | 37% |
| Northern District of Mississippi N.D. Miss. | 179 | 77% | 12 | 36% | 19% | 43% |
| Middle District of Tennessee M.D. Tenn. | 177 | 76% | 18 | 26% | 40% | 34% |
| Southern District of West Virginia S.D.W. Va. | 162 | 58% | 14 | 69% | 7% | 19% |
| Southern District of Iowa S.D. Iowa | 161 | 75% | 18 | 41% | 21% | 37% |
| District of New Hampshire D.N.H. | 157 | 68% | 18 | 38% | 42% | 19% |
| Middle District of North Carolina M.D.N.C. | 156 | 69% | 25 | 53% | 21% | 21% |
| District of Maine D. Me. | 155 | 59% | 13 | 37% | 34% | 27% |
| Western District of Arkansas W.D. Ark. | 151 | 64% | 24 | 52% | 13% | 27% |
| District of North Dakota D.N.D. | 125 | 79% | 4 | 34% | 48% | 15% |
| Northern District of West Virginia N.D.W. Va. | 120 | 65% | 21 | 63% | 12% | 22% |
| District of Hawaii D. Haw. | 117 | 83% | 24 | 51% | 27% | 15% |
| District of Alaska D. Alaska | 105 | 71% | 22 | 37% | 33% | 25% |
| Western District of Wisconsin W.D. Wis. | 104 | 67% | 29 | 36% | 15% | 43% |
| District of Vermont D. Vt. | 79 | 80% | 10 | 28% | 24% | 46% |
| District of Wyoming D. Wyo. | 79 | 75% | 18 | 36% | 40% | 21% |
| District of Guam D. Guam | 74 | 54% | 12 | 76% | 16% | — |
| Eastern District of Oklahoma E.D. Okla. | 72 | 60% | 18 | 51% | 26% | 19% |
| District of Delaware D. Del. | 57 | 70% | 21 | 33% | 32% | 33% |
| District of the Virgin Islands D.V.I. | 55 | 73% | 12 | 78% | — | — |
| District of the Northern Mariana Islands D.N. Mar. I. | 32 | — | 0 | 72% | — | — |
§ 5Circuits compared
| Circuit | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Circuit | 318 | 72% | 18 | 39% | 28% | 32% |
| First Circuit | 1,758 | 64% | 18 | 39% | 33% | 25% |
| Second Circuit | 3,876 | 80% | 15 | 26% | 25% | 48% |
| Third Circuit | 2,716 | 71% | 18 | 40% | 32% | 26% |
| Fourth Circuit | 4,060 | 73% | 24 | 47% | 23% | 27% |
| Fifth Circuit | 5,889 | 75% | 18 | 59% | 18% | 18% |
| Sixth Circuit | 3,972 | 72% | 21 | 39% | 27% | 33% |
| Seventh Circuit | 2,279 | 72% | 24 | 35% | 22% | 42% |
| Eighth Circuit | 3,120 | 68% | 18 | 44% | 22% | 30% |
| Ninth Circuit | 6,999 | 75% | 15 | 44% | 31% | 22% |
| Tenth Circuit | 1,952 | 69% | 18 | 49% | 28% | 21% |
| Eleventh Circuit | 6,582 | 78% | 24 | 48% | 20% | 30% |
§ 6Trend by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 6,620 | 73% | 22 | 47% | 23% | 27% | 2% |
| FY2019 | 6,390 | 74% | 21 | 48% | 23% | 27% | 2% |
| FY2020 | 4,823 | 72% | 18 | 47% | 21% | 29% | 3% |
| FY2021 | 4,571 | 70% | 18 | 43% | 25% | 28% | 3% |
| FY2022 | 5,520 | 76% | 21 | 42% | 25% | 30% | 4% |
| FY2023 | 5,205 | 74% | 21 | 39% | 27% | 31% | 2% |
| FY2024 | 5,312 | 74% | 19 | 43% | 26% | 28% | 2% |
| FY2025 | 5,080 | 75% | 19 | 42% | 27% | 28% | 3% |
§ 7Criminal history
Share of cases at each final criminal history category; grey figure: all federal cases.
§ 8Guideline sections involved
| Primary guideline | Subject | Cases | Share of this offence type |
|---|---|---|---|
| §2B1.1 | Larceny, embezzlement, theft, fraud and deceit | 40,177 | 92.3% |
| §2B1.4 | Insider trading | 177 | 0.4% |
| §2B1.5 | Theft of, damage to or destruction of cultural heritage resources | 84 | 0.2% |
| §2X3.1 | Accessory after the fact | 30 | 0.1% |
| §2X1.1 | Attempt, solicitation or conspiracy (not covered by a specific guideline) | 20 | 0.0% |
| §2B6.1 | Altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers | 20 | 0.0% |
| §2F1.1 | Fraud and deceit (pre-2001 guideline) | <10 | — |
§ 9Questions and answers
What is the average federal sentence for fraud, theft and embezzlement offences?
The median prison term over FY2018–FY2025 was 20 months (1 yr 8 mo) and the mean was 28 months (life sentences counted as 470 months, the Commission's convention). Medians are used on this site because a few very long terms pull the mean upward.
How much does the sentence for fraud, theft and embezzlement offences vary by district?
Among districts with at least 10 cases, medians ranged from 0 months (D.N. Mar. I.) to 31 months (E.D. Cal.). The mix of guidelines, statutory minimums and criminal history within the offence type explains much of the spread.
How often are fraud, theft and embezzlement offences sentenced outside the guideline range?
56% of sentences were outside the range: 25% below it on a government motion, 29% below it for other reasons and 3% above it.
Which guidelines apply to fraud, theft and embezzlement offences?
The most common primary guidelines are §2B1.1, §2B1.4, §2B1.5 and §2X3.1. The Commission assigns the offence type mainly from the primary guideline the court applied.
Where do these figures come from?
The US Sentencing Commission's individual offender datafiles, FY2018–FY2025, using the Commission's OFFGUIDE offence type, SENTRNGE range status and SENTTCAP capped prison months. Counts under 10 are hidden.
§ 10Provenance
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles, fiscal years 2018–2025 (US government works), aggregated by this site; the FY2025 file is dated 29 Apr 2026. Offence type is the Commission's OFFGUIDE code 16. Counts below 10 are hidden or pooled. Errors in this site's processing are corrected at the next build; see corrections. Methodology.