Missouri Money Laundering Laws

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed November 07, 2018

Money laundering is generally defined as disguising the source of money derived from criminal activities so that it looks like it comes from a legal and legitimate source. Money laundering is commonly associated with drug cartels and organized crime. However, it can also occur when any individual is involved in a criminal activity.

For example, a person who sells prescription painkillers, but isn't involved in a specific drug cartel, can still be guilty of money laundering if they're disguising the money they receive from the drug deals. Money laundering is treated as a serious offense in most states, including Missouri.

An Overview of Missouri Money Laundering Laws

In order to ensure that you're not committing a crime, it's important to understand what's prohibited; but statutory language is rarely clear and straightforward. For this reason, it's beneficial to read an overview of a statute in plain English. In the following table, you'll find an overview of money laundering laws in Missouri as well links to relevant statutes.

Statute(s)	Missouri Revised Statutes, Title XXXVIII. Chapter 574. Section 574.105 (Money Laundering)
Defining Key Terms	Key terms related to money laundering in Missouri: *Conducts: participating in initiating or concluding a transaction. Criminal Activity: any act that's punishable as a felony under the laws of Missouri or the U.S. Currency Transaction: transaction that involves the physical transfer of currency from one person to another person. Person*: a natural person or any entity that's capable of being known as a legal personality (i.e. corporation, estate, trust, etc.)
Defining the Offense(s)	Money laundering occurs when a person conducts or attempts to conduct a transaction involving currency with the purpose to: Aid or promote the carrying on of a criminal activity; Disguise or conceal the nature, source, ownership, control, or location of the proceeds of criminal activity; Avoid reporting requirements under federal law; or Aid or promote the carrying on of criminal activity for the purpose of making or furthering a terrorist threat or act.
Charges and Penalties	Money laundering is a *class B felony* punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.
Related Statute(s)	Missouri Revised Statutes, Title XXXVIII. Chapter 574: Section 574.115 (Making a Terrorist Threat in the First Degree) Section 574.120 (Making a Terrorist Threat in the Second Degree) Section 574.125 (Making a Terrorist Threat in the Third Degree)

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.