If you’re going through a federal case, there’s something you need to know: The FBI doesn’t stop investigating just because you’ve been indicted. They don’t stop after you plead guilty. They don’t even stop after sentencing. If they find out you lied at any point, the consequences can be brutal.
I know this because I’ve seen it happen.
The Lie That Cost Him an Extra Year in Federal Prison
A guy I spoke with was originally looking at 24 months or less in federal prison. That’s what everyone expected. Then the FBI showed up–actually they never went away.
They had dug into his sentencing memo—the part where he claimed he had done a bunch of community service to show he was working to redeem himself. The problem? He made it up. He thought nobody would check.
The FBI checked.
At sentencing, the judge didn’t just ignore his plea for leniency. He punished him for the lie. Instead of 24 months, he got 36. On top of that, he walked out of prison with five years of supervised release, which meant five years of restrictions, check-ins, and a probation officer who had every reason to be skeptical of him.
All because he tried to game the system.
The FBI Always Checks
A lot of people assume that once they’re deep in the process—after they’ve been sentenced or taken a plea—the government moves on. That’s not true. The FBI has all the time in the world, and if they think there’s even a chance you’re being dishonest, they’ll find out.
I get why people are tempted to exaggerate. They’re scared. They want to do whatever they can to get a better outcome. But if you lie—even about something you think is small—you’re gambling with your future. And in federal court, the house always wins.
What You Should Do Instead
If you’re preparing for sentencing, here’s what actually helps:
Stick to the truth. If you’ve done community service, great. Get documentation. If you haven’t, don’t make it up.
Understand that every claim you make can and will be checked. If you say you’ve taken responsibility, but your emails tell a different story, that will come up.
Don’t assume leniency is guaranteed. Just because someone else with a similar charge got a light sentence doesn’t mean you will. Every case is different. Every judge is different.
Work with people who actually know what they’re doing. The best mitigation strategy is one that’s real. Judges can tell when something is scripted.
I’m sharing this because I don’t want you to make the same mistake this guy did. If you’re going through this, take it seriously. Be honest. Prepare properly. And don’t assume you can outsmart the system. You can’t.
Justin Paperny
