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Craig S. Denney

Experience

Represented firearms business owner in ATF investigation and federal prosecution for unlawful sale of nearly 200 firearms without a license in Northern District of Ohio. Defendant was originally facing 3-4 years of imprisonment but defense argument at sentencing hearing resulted in sentence of 3 years of probation.

Defended political subdivision and project manager of water irrigation district in federal investigation by U.S. Department of Interior - Office of Inspector General (OIG) and prosecution of multiple defendants by U.S. Attorney's Office in District of Nevada. Defended main defendant in 10-count federal indictment in U.S. District Court alleging conspiracy, false claims, false statements, and falsification of records. Case resolved favorably after filing numerous pretrial motions for defendants resulting in highly favorable global resolution of criminal case with no convictions for any defendants on any charges, and dismissal of indictment with prejudice.

Defended chief executive officer of company in ERISA and 401k embezzlement case investigated by U.S. Department of Labor and prosecuted by U.S. Attorney's Office in Eastern District of California. Federal prosecution resolved with misdemeanor. Successfully presented sentencing case in U.S. District Court for variance of federal sentencing guidelines despite pre-sentence recommendation of imprisonment term. Defendant sentenced to probation with community service, no confinement, and no fine.

Defended president of California company investigated by Nevada State Contractor's Board and prosecuted by Clark County District Attorney's Office in Henderson Justice Court for unlicensed contractor work in Nevada. Case resolved without any conviction or fine for company president and entity.

Defended military commander in Nevada during disciplinary investigation for alleged dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer. Case resolved without any criminal prosecution or punitive action. Client received honorable discharge and full military retirement.

 

Defended client in ATF investigation and federal prosecution for "straw purchases" of firearms. Successfully argued for sentence of straight probation in U.S. District Court despite USAO's argument for federal guidelines sentence of imprisonment.

Defended former officer in corporate internal investigation regarding SEC investigation of corporate financial transactions involving revenue recognition issues.

Defended client charged in state court Nevada in NHP drug interdiction case involving 25 pounds of marijuana. Defendant charged felony offenses of transportation and possession of controlled substance for purpose of sale were dropped. Case resolved with misdemeanor and fine with no incarceration.

Defending client in federal grand jury investigation involving alleged fraud in Eastern District of California. Matter still pending.

Defended senior state government official in NV Attorney General's Office criminal public integrity investigation. No charges filed against client.

Defended client in Cal/OSHA investigation involving workplace safety accident. Case resolved favorably for client without admission of liability.

Defended client in CA Department of Insurance disciplinary action. Case resolved favorably for client without admission of wrongdoing.

Provided legal advice to corporate client on federal and state electronic surveillance laws for telephonic recording system.

Successfully litigated and obtained preliminary injunction for plaintiff corporate client on defendant violations of stock purchase agreement provisions on non-competition and confidentiality of trade secrets in U.S. District Court in Nevada.

Defending corporate client facing Sacramento District Attorney's Office Consumer Protection investigation. Matter still pending.

Defended corporate client facing Nevada Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection investigation. No criminal charges or civil action pursued.

Defended client facing Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) investigation referred to US Attorney’s Office in EDCA for prosecution. Federal prosecution declined. No charges filed.

Defended corporate client facing U.S. Department of Interior Inspector General's investigation. No criminal charges or civil action pursued.

Defended client facing grand larceny charges. Misdemeanor sentence of probation.

Defended corporate client facing US Customs seizure of goods for trademark violation and penalty proceedings in Memphis, TN. Client's petition for relief granted with release of product with reduced penalty.

Defended corporate client facing US Customs forfeiture of goods for trademark violation and penalty proceedings in Anchorage, AL. Client's petition for remission of penalty granted without any monetary fine or penalty.

United States Attorney's Office, District of Nevada

Assistant United States Attorney (Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor) Reno, NV
Represented the United States and served as prosecutor and coordinator of Northern Nevada Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force to investigate and prosecute terrorism cases, wire and mail fraud, immigration and customs (ICE) violations, money laundering, access device fraud, identity theft, cybercrimes and violent crimes. Coordinated anti-terrorism training for federal and state law enforcement in Northern Nevada.

Assistant United States Attorney (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force) Reno, NV
Represented the United States in federal prosecution of narcotics trafficking organizations, money laundering, wire and mail fraud, immigration and customs (ICE) violations, computer crimes and environmental crimes in the District of Nevada. Managed caseload of more than 75 cases. Tried 35 jury trials. Served as appellate counsel on more than 80 briefs and 16 oral arguments before Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Significant cases: United States v. Jose Antonio Herrera, et al. (wiretap investigation involving 8 defendants – successful multi-defendant trial); United States v. Melvin Bishop, et al. (US Customs/ATF international firearms smuggling investigation and criminal prosecution of defendants including multimillion dollar asset forfeiture); United States v. Lokman Babu (DEA/IRS pseudoephedrine/money laundering prosecution and multimillion dollar asset forfeiture).

Assistant United States Attorney (Organized Crime Strike Force) Las Vegas, NV
Represented the United States in federal prosecution of organized crime organizations, RICO, narcotics, firearms and white-collar crimes in the Southern District of Nevada. Tried jury and bench trials in U.S. District Court. Also served as appellate counsel in Ninth Circuit appeals.

The Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps, United States Army

Regional Defense Counsel – US Western Region
Supervise and train 4 trial defense teams of 15 attorneys and 2 paralegals in representation of soldiers in California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. Serve in the 22nd Legal Support Organization which is responsible for providing criminal defense services for all Army Reserve soldiers west of Mississippi. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel October 2007. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Defended CANG general officer in Department of Defense - Inspector General's Office ethics investigation. Case resolved with no charges filed against officer.

Defended brigade commander in separate EO and UCMJ misconduct investigations. Cases resolved with no charges filed against officer.

Defended brigade commander in UCMJ misconduct investigation. Case resolved with no charges filed against officer.

Senior Defense Counsel - Sacramento, CA
Represented U.S. Army Reserve soldiers facing administrative and criminal action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Supervised and trained trial team of 6 defense attorneys and 2 paralegals. Defended senior officers facing adverse action involving narcotics, sexual harassment and other military offenses. Served in the 22nd Legal Support Organization. Promoted to Major in Sept. 2001. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Special Assistant United States Attorney - Fort Lewis, WA
Represented the U.S. Attorney's Office in U.S. Magistrate and District Courts, Western District of Washington, in misdemeanor and felony cases occurring at Fort Lewis, Washington. Prosecuted more than 50 bench and jury trials involving narcotics, assault, theft and DUI offenses. Argued before Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and handled all appellate work for Fort Lewis criminal cases in U.S. District Court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Managed monthly caseload of more than 100 cases. Served as legal instructor and advisor to military police and criminal investigators. Member of Fort Lewis Ten-Miler Team. Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Federal Tort Claims Attorney - Fort Lewis, WA
Investigated, negotiated and settled hundreds of federal claims against the U.S. Army for personal injury and property loss or damage. Conducted discovery and analysis of claims pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, the Military Claims Act and the Foreign Claims Act. Interviewed and deposed hundreds of claimants and witnesses, including experts in the fields of orthopedics, toxicology and general medicine. Prepared pleadings, litigation reports and briefs for the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Army Litigation Division for litigation in U.S. District Court.

Trial Defense Counsel - Camp Casey, Republic of Korea
Provided criminal defense service to soldiers in the forward-deployed American military force, stationed 12 miles from the De-Militarized Zone. Represented more than 30 soldiers facing trial by courts-martial for wide range of offenses including murder, aggravated assault, larceny, fraud and sexual assault. Earned favorable dispositions ranging from full acquittal to withdrawal of all charges in more than a dozen cases. Represented over 200 soldiers facing disciplinary actions other than trial by court-martial. Interviewed hundreds of witnesses, including violent crime victims and numerous experts in the fields of DNA, chemical dependency, clinical psychology and general medicine. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Trial Counsel - Fort Hood, TX
Represented the United States Army in 26 courts-martial cases and administrative hearings. Prosecuted soldiers for wide range of offenses including narcotics, assault, larceny and rape. Served as legal advisor for commanders in the 2nd Armored and 4th Infantry Divisions. Member of Fort Hood Ten-Miler Team. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Legal Assistance Attorney - Fort Hood, TX
Provided legal services to over 500 soldiers, family members and retired military personnel in the areas of family law, landlord/tenant law, consumer law and estate planning. Drafted and executed over 200 wills. Provided clients with advice on divorce, child support, contracts and tenant rights. Negotiated settlement agreements with collection agencies, businesses and opposing counsel on behalf of clients.

University of Nevada-Reno, Criminal Justice Department

Adjunct Faculty
Serve as undergraduate faculty in Criminal Justice Department and teach courses on federal prosecution and organized crime. Lectures are focused on electronic surveillance (Title III investigations), grand jury investigations, use of confidential informants, ethics, search and seizure, asset forfeiture and federal sentencing law.