White Collar Crimes

White Collar Crime Attorney in The Woodlands

Criminal Defense for Fraud, Embezzlement, Money Laundering & More

When you’re facing white-collar crime charges, the stakes reach beyond fines and jail time. A conviction can end a career, destroy a business, and follow you permanently. I’m Ronnie Yeates, and I defend clients in The Woodlands against the full range of white-collar charges, from fraud and embezzlement to money laundering and public corruption, drawing on more than 20 years of criminal law experience.

If you’ve been charged or believe you’re under investigation, don’t wait for charges to be filed before getting legal counsel. Call (832) 957-9077 to schedule a free case evaluation with Ronnie Yeates Law.

A Defense Built on Prosecutorial Experience

I spent 17 years as an Assistant District Attorney before shifting my focus to criminal defense. That time on the other side of the courtroom gave me a detailed understanding of how prosecutors build cases, decide which charges to bring, and approach negotiations. When I take on a white-collar defense, I know how the state is likely to frame its case because I spent years building cases like it.

My background also includes a federal license as a firearm manufacturer and dealer. That credential isn’t incidental. White-collar prosecutions sometimes involve weapons licensing, regulatory compliance, or allegations tied to federally regulated industries. I bring technical and legal familiarity to those issues that many criminal defense attorneys don’t have. Active membership in several legal organizations keeps my defense strategies current as laws and investigative techniques continue to evolve.

Free Criminal Defense Consultations Available Put Our Experience on Your Side

Attorney Ronnie Yeates has over 25 years of experience in criminal law. Get the representation you need by filling out an online contact form or calling our team today: (832) 957-9077.

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White Collar Charges I Defend in The Woodlands

White-collar cases span a wide range of offenses, from misdemeanor-level theft to serious state and federal felonies. Understanding what you’re facing, and where your case may be prosecuted, matters from the moment an investigation begins.

White-collar crimes are non-violent offenses built around deception for financial gain. The category covers a broad set of charges:

Common white-collar charges:

Fraud (including mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, and insurance fraud)
Embezzlement and misappropriation of funds
Money laundering under Texas Penal Code Section 34.02
Bribery and public corruption
Tax crimes, including both state and federal tax fraud
Theft by deception or breach of fiduciary duty

These cases can be prosecuted at the state level or elevated to federal court. Federal investigations in this area are often led by agencies such as the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the SEC, or the Department of Justice. If your case involves federal charges arising from Montgomery County, it may be heard in the Houston Division of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. State-level felony prosecutions in Montgomery County generally move through the county’s District Courts, seated in Conroe.

White-collar cases are evidence-intensive by nature. Rather than physical evidence, prosecutors build them on financial records, emails, account statements, and forensic accounting analysis. How that documentation is handled early in a case can shape what follows.

Penalty Exposure for White Collar Offenses in Texas

Texas structures penalties for theft and fraud offenses around the dollar value involved. Where your charges fall on that scale shapes the urgency and direction of your defense.

Texas theft and fraud penalty tiers:

Under $100: Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500
$100–$749: Class B misdemeanor, up to 180 days in jail and/or a $2,000 fine
$750–$2,499: Class A misdemeanor, up to one year in jail and/or a $4,000 fine
$2,500–$29,999: State jail felony, 180 days to 2 years
$30,000–$149,999: Third-degree felony, 2 to 10 years
$150,000–$299,999: Second-degree felony, 2 to 20 years

Money laundering carries its own value-based tiers under Texas Penal Code Section 34.02, reaching a first-degree felony when the funds involved total $300,000 or more. Penalties for fraud and theft can also increase when the alleged victim is elderly or otherwise considered a vulnerable population under Texas law.

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Why Acting Early in a White Collar Investigation Matters

Many white-collar cases develop slowly. Investigators may issue subpoenas, request financial documents, or convene a grand jury long before any formal charges are filed. By the time an indictment arrives, prosecutors may have months or years of evidence already organized and ready. Getting involved early gives me the opportunity to review the evidence as it exists, identify weaknesses in the government’s theory, and engage with investigators or prosecutors from a position of preparation rather than reaction.

If you’ve received a subpoena, been contacted by federal agents, or learned that your business records have been requested, those are signs that you need legal counsel immediately. The right time to build your defense isn’t after charges land. It’s now.

Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation

A white-collar charge doesn’t have to define your future. I offer free case evaluations so you can understand your situation and your options before making any decisions. Call (832) 957-9077 to speak with Ronnie Yeates Law about your case in The Woodlands today.

Testimonials From Former Clients

"From the first five minutes of my initial conversation with Ronnie, he seemed to know exactly what I was going through and I knew he was who I needed"
Bert S.
"I don't know what I would've done without Ronnie Yeates Law. They made sure I had my life back and could spend it with my family. From day one, they listened and ensured I was taken care of."
Jason B.
"Ronnie Yeates Law worked tirelessly to get my case dismissed. I trusted them throughout the process, and they always kept me informed and made me feel at ease."
Lorissa P.