When Federal Investigators Come Calling, You Need a Lawyer Who's Been on That Side of the Table Before
I spent 12 years defending federal cases in New York — working alongside some of the most accomplished trial attorneys in the country. Federal court procedure doesn't change when you cross state lines. Neither does my approach.
What "White Collar" Actually Means — and Why Federal Exposure Changes Everything
White collar charges aren't a single offense. They're a category — and the specific charge matters enormously for how a defense is built. The cases I handle in this area include:
- Federal and state fraud, including bank fraud and mortgage fraud
- Embezzlement and misappropriation
- Wire fraud and mail fraud
- Identity theft and financial identity fraud
- Tax fraud and tax evasion
- Sex trafficking and related federal charges
Most of these cases are prosecuted federally, not in state court. That means the Northern District of Iowa or the Southern District of Iowa — federal prosecutors, federal sentencing guidelines, and federal mandatory minimums. The stakes are categorically different from a state misdemeanor. So is the defense.
You Got a Subpoena. Here's the First Thing to Do.
Don't call the agent back.
Federal investigators don't subpoena people as a courtesy. A grand jury subpoena or a call from an FBI or IRS agent means you are either a target, a subject, or a witness — and the line between those categories can shift based on what you say in the next conversation. Before you respond to anyone, talk to me.
Pre-indictment is the only window in which you have real leverage. Once charges are filed, the government has already built its case. Before that point, there's room to challenge the scope of the investigation, negotiate with the prosecutor, and sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all. I've handled federal subpoenas in both New York and Iowa courts. The procedure is the same. The opportunity is the same.
Federal Fraud Defense in Iowa — What the Northern and Southern Districts Look Like
Iowa has two federal districts: the Northern District, based in Cedar Rapids and Sioux City, and the Southern District, based in Des Moines. Davenport falls in the Southern District. Iowa City, Dubuque, and Cedar County cases often land in the Northern.
I practice in both. Federal court is federal court — the rules, the procedure, and the sentencing framework are consistent. What varies is the local practice culture, the specific AUSA handling your case, and the facts on the ground. Knowing that terrain matters.
Common federal charges I defend in Iowa:
- Wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343
- Mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341
- Bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1344
- Federal tax charges under 26 U.S.C. § 7201
- Embezzlement from federally insured institutions
- Federal identity theft under 18 U.S.C. § 1028
Sex Trafficking Defense: Federal Exposure, Mandatory Minimums, and Why Early Counsel Is Critical
Sex trafficking charges — particularly federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1591 — carry some of the most severe mandatory minimum sentences in the federal code. A conviction can mean 10 years to life, depending on the circumstances. These cases also frequently involve cooperation considerations: whether to assist the government, what that means for your sentence, and what it means for people around you.
This is not the kind of case to navigate alone, and it's not the kind of case where you want a lawyer learning federal procedure as they go. I handle these matters directly, with the same discretion I apply to every white collar case.
Most of My White Collar Clients You'll Never Hear About. That's by Design.
Reputation is part of what's at stake when you're facing a fraud or embezzlement charge. A professional license, a business, a career — these can be damaged by an arrest alone, before any verdict is reached. I understand that, and I work accordingly.
That means communicating quietly with prosecutors before charges become public when possible. It means keeping the circle small. It means treating reputation defense as part of the legal strategy from day one — not an afterthought.
I've spent 50 years in criminal defense, including 12 years practicing in Manhattan. Federal court in Davenport operates under the same rules as federal court in Manhattan. The experience I built there is the experience I bring to your case.
Cases I Do
— and Cases I Don't Take
I handle complex federal exposure, white collar charges at both the state and federal level, and sex trafficking defense. I also defend OWI and DUI charges, drug crimes, weapons charges, assault, domestic assault, and traffic offenses across eastern Iowa.
I don't take murder, attempted murder, or Assault in the First Degree. If your situation falls in that category, I'll tell you directly and point you toward someone who can help.
For everything else — if federal investigators are involved, if a grand jury has issued a subpoena, or if you've been charged with a financial crime — call me before you do anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions — Iowa White Collar & Federal Defense
What should I do if a federal agent contacts me?
Don't speak with them without a lawyer present. Federal agents are trained interviewers and anything you say — even casually — can be used against you. Contact me first. I'll help you understand your status in the investigation and whether and how to respond.
Is there a difference between being a "target" and a "subject" of a federal investigation?
Yes, and the difference matters. A target is someone the government believes committed a crime. A subject is someone whose conduct falls within the scope of the investigation but who hasn't been formally identified as a target. A witness is someone the government believes has information but no criminal exposure. Those categories can shift. An experienced federal defense attorney can sometimes influence which category you fall into — but only if you get counsel before you start talking.
What is pre-indictment defense and why does it matter?
Pre-indictment defense means hiring a lawyer before formal charges are filed. At that stage, there's still room to challenge the investigation, negotiate with the prosecutor, present exculpatory information to the grand jury, or sometimes prevent charges entirely. Once an indictment is handed down, those options narrow considerably. Pre-indictment work is often the highest-value thing a federal defense attorney can do.
What are the penalties for federal wire fraud in Iowa?
Under federal law, wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years per count. If the fraud involves a financial institution or a federally declared disaster, that maximum increases to 30 years. Federal sentencing guidelines calculate an advisory range based on the loss amount and other factors — and those ranges can be severe. Mandatory minimums don't apply to wire fraud specifically, but the guidelines can produce sentences that function similarly.
Can a white collar charge affect my professional license?
Yes. Depending on your profession and the nature of the charge, a conviction — and sometimes even an arrest — can trigger licensing board proceedings separate from the criminal case. I factor that exposure into the defense strategy from the beginning, not after a plea or verdict.
Do you handle federal cases outside of Davenport?
I serve clients across eastern Iowa, including Iowa City, Dubuque, Muscatine, and Clinton, and I practice in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa. Federal cases in western Illinois are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Gary Koos has practiced criminal defense for 50 years, including 12 years practicing in Manhattan where he handled federal cases in New York courts. He is a Drake Law graduate — Drake's trial advocacy program has been recognized by preLaw Magazine as among the best in the country. Gary practices across the Iowa 7th Judicial District and both federal districts of Iowa, with his primary office at 116 East 6th Street, Davenport, IA 52803. For federal matters, early contact is critical.