Federal Criminal Defense in the Northern District of Texas
Representing Clients in Federal Court in Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Amarillo, and Wichita Falls
The Northern District of Texas is one of the busiest and most expansive federal judicial districts in the country. It covers a wide geographic area—including major urban hubs and rural regions—and handles thousands of federal criminal prosecutions annually. Federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are active throughout this district, coordinating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute serious felony offenses.
If you're under federal investigation or facing charges in the Northern District of Texas, it's critical to retain a lawyer with real experience in federal court. Josh Tomsheck, founder of NVFederalDefense.com and a Nationally Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, represents clients in complex federal cases and is available to defend individuals in this district through pro hac vice admission or direct collaboration with local counsel.
Overview of the Northern District of Texas
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas covers a large swath of northern Texas, stretching from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to the Panhandle. It is part of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and its judges preside over a wide range of criminal cases involving drug trafficking, firearms offenses, fraud, immigration crimes, and conspiracies.
Federal Courthouses in the Northern District of Texas
This district is divided into seven divisions, each with its own courthouse:
🔹 Dallas Division
Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse
1100 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 75242
The main courthouse in the district, this is where many of the highest-profile and complex criminal cases are filed and tried.
🔹 Fort Worth Division
U.S. Courthouse
501 W. 10th Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Handles a substantial number of firearms, drug, and white collar prosecutions.
🔹 Amarillo Division
U.S. Courthouse
205 E. 5th Avenue
Amarillo, TX 79101
Covers the Texas Panhandle and handles rural-based federal prosecutions.
🔹 Lubbock Division
George H. Mahon Federal Building
1205 Texas Avenue
Lubbock, TX 79401
Often handles cases involving federal drug task forces and firearm offenses.
🔹 Wichita Falls Division
U.S. Courthouse
1000 Lamar Street
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
Serves north-central Texas and sees a mix of drug, immigration, and white collar cases.
🔹 Abilene and San Angelo Divisions
These smaller divisions serve more rural regions, with court proceedings held periodically or consolidated with nearby courthouses.
Geographic Jurisdiction
The Northern District of Texas covers 100 counties, including:
- Dallas County (Dallas)
- Tarrant County (Fort Worth)
- Lubbock County
- Potter County (Amarillo)
- Taylor County (Abilene)
- Tom Green County (San Angelo)
- Wichita County (Wichita Falls)
- Midland, Ector, and surrounding Panhandle counties
Given its size, the district includes everything from densely populated cities to sparsely populated ranchlands and Native American territories. Many federal cases in this district arise along interstate corridors, particularly I-20, I-35W, and I-40.
Common Federal Crimes in the Northern District of Texas
🔸 Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy – 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 & 846
Drug-related prosecutions remain a major priority in this district. Common cases include:
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl
- Drug conspiracy with interstate or international elements
- Trafficking connected to cartel or gang activity
Mandatory minimum sentences often apply, particularly when large quantities are involved or prior convictions exist.
🔸 Firearms Offenses – 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g) & 924(c)
Federal gun charges are aggressively prosecuted and often connected to drug or violent crime:
- Felon in possession of a firearm – § 922(g)
- Use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime – § 924(c)
- Straw purchases and illegal firearms transfers
Convictions under § 924(c) often carry consecutive mandatory sentences, adding significant time.
🔸 Wire Fraud – 18 U.S.C. § 1343
Wire fraud prosecutions in Dallas and Fort Worth often involve:
- PPP loan fraud and COVID-related benefit scams
- Investment fraud and Ponzi schemes
- Employment and payroll tax scams using electronic transfers
Wire fraud is frequently charged in multi-defendant conspiracies involving small businesses or nonprofit entities.
🔸 Mail Fraud – 18 U.S.C. § 1341
Common cases include:
- Real estate document fraud
- Insurance claim scams using postal services
- Fraudulent government check or benefits claims
🔸 Bank Fraud – 18 U.S.C. § 1344
Charged when individuals or businesses attempt to defraud federally insured financial institutions:
- Falsified bank loan applications
- Forged financial instruments
- Embezzlement and internal banking fraud
Often accompanied by charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1014 (false statements to a bank).
🔸 Child Pornography – 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252 & 2252A
Federal prosecutors in this district routinely file charges involving:
- Possession or distribution of child pornography over peer-to-peer networks
- Receipt of illegal content via cloud platforms
- Production or attempted production of child sexual abuse material
These charges often follow cyber-tipline investigations and carry steep penalties, including potential lifetime supervision.
🔸 Online Enticement of a Minor – 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b)
These cases involve federal task force operations targeting:
- Use of the internet to lure minors
- Arranging interstate meetings for illegal sexual conduct
- Attempted travel with intent to commit sex crimes
Carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.
🔸 Identity Theft and Aggravated Identity Theft – 18 U.S.C. §§ 1028 & 1028A
Commonly filed alongside fraud charges, including:
- Unauthorized use of Social Security numbers
- Fake driver's licenses or passports
- § 1028A requires a two-year consecutive prison term
🔸 RICO and Criminal Conspiracy – 18 U.S.C. § 1962
Federal RICO indictments are filed against:
- Gangs or drug trafficking organizations
- Fraud or corruption schemes involving multiple criminal acts
- Criminal enterprises spanning state lines
These are large, multi-defendant cases with lengthy pretrial litigation.
How Josh Tomsheck Defends Federal Charges in the Northern District of Texas
Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Texas are backed by the full power of the Department of Justice, often building cases for months before filing indictments. Whether your case involves wire fraud, drug trafficking, or a conspiracy charge, the government is prepared. That's why you need a defense attorney who is equally prepared—and battle-tested in federal court.
Josh Tomsheck is a Nationally Board-Certified Criminal Trial Attorney and former Chief Deputy District Attorney with a long track record of defending complex federal cases. His work includes pre-indictment investigations, motion litigation, trial advocacy, and sentencing mitigation.
Defense Services Include:
- Grand jury and pre-indictment representation
- Bond/detention hearings and pretrial motions
- Suppression of unlawfully obtained evidence
- Trial preparation, cross-examination of federal agents, and presentation of defense experts
- Sentencing variance motions under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)
- Post-conviction and appellate work
Josh coordinates with local counsel when necessary and maintains full compliance with local rules and court procedures in Texas.
Pro Hac Vice Representation in the Northern District of Texas
Josh Tomsheck regularly represents clients in federal court across the United States through pro hac vice admission. This allows him to serve as lead defense counsel in Texas federal courtrooms, with approval of the judge and coordination with a sponsoring local attorney.
He has successfully handled federal cases involving dozens of charges and jurisdictions and is well-versed in the Northern District's local practices.
Coverage Across the District
Josh Tomsheck represents clients in:
- Dallas
- Fort Worth
- Lubbock
- Amarillo
- Wichita Falls
- Abilene, San Angelo, and surrounding counties
He handles federal felony charges across all stages—from investigation to trial and appeal.
Contact NVFederalDefense.com for Help in the Northern District of Texas
If you're facing a federal charge in Dallas, Fort Worth, or anywhere in the Northern District of Texas, don't wait. Early intervention by a seasoned federal defense lawyer can dramatically affect the outcome of your case.
📞 Call Josh Tomsheck today for a confidential case evaluation
🌐 NVFederalDefense.com – Serious Federal Defense for Serious Federal Charges
📍 Representing clients in the Northern District of Texas and across the United States
