Detroit’s Top
Federal Lawyer
Detroit Federal Criminal Defense Attorney | Chapman & Associates PC
Detroit Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Why your first call matters
The moment the FBI, DEA, IRS-CI, or HSI knocks—or a target letter lands—your choices shrink. In the Eastern District of Michigan (EDMI), indictments move fast: complaint → grand jury → arraignment → detention/bond → motions → trial or plea → sentencing. My job is to slow that train, widen your options, and force the government to prove what it claims.
What we do (and how we win)
Early intervention: Stop interviews, control communications, assess exposure, and begin parallel investigations.
Motions that move the needle: Suppression (searches, devices, statements), severance, dismissal (defect in indictment), Daubert.
Trial posture: Theme-driven cross, burden-of-proof framing, juror education on complex financial/medical data.
Sentencing leverage (if needed): Guidelines analysis, PSR objections, 3553(a) mitigation, expert reports, variance advocacy.
Track record that levels the field: As a former prosecutor and federal defense lawyer, I’ve obtained acquittals and dismissals in high-stakes federal cases. Results don’t guarantee outcomes, but they do show preparation and strategy.
Charges we handle in the Eastern District of Michigan
White collar: Wire/mail fraud, securities/insider trading, honest-services/bribery, money laundering, bank fraud, tax crimes.
Healthcare: AKS/False Claims, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, kickbacks, billing schemes, OIG investigations.
Drug & conspiracy: 21 U.S.C. § 841/846, controlled-substances conspiracies, CCE allegations, phone/tech evidence challenges.
Public integrity & others: Bribery, embezzlement, obstruction, false statements, computer crimes.
The Detroit/EDMI process, step-by-step
Target letter / subpoena / search warrant: Do not talk. Call counsel. Preserve devices, policies, and logs.
Complaint & arrest: Initial appearance; counsel addresses bond/detention and conditions.
Grand jury & indictment: Challenges may target legal sufficiency/venue; parallel defenses preserve suppression issues.
Arraignment & discovery: Protective orders, device imaging protocols, Rule 16 & Brady tracking.
Motions & litigation: Suppression, dismissal, Daubert, compelled disclosure, privilege issues (Kovel experts).
Resolution path: Trial readiness vs. plea leverage; proffer decisions with eyes wide open (Kastigar risks).
Sentencing: Guidelines math, departures (5K1.1), variances under §3553(a), mitigation package, PSR corrections.
Your first 72-hour plan
Do: Retain counsel; inventory what agents took; write a timeline; list witnesses/documents.
Don’t: Contact agents, co-defendants, or “fix” files; post on social media; travel without approval.
We will: Stop contact, secure discovery, audit exposure, and set a litigation/sentencing strategy that fits your life.
FAQs (Detroit & Federal)
Q1: Can I be released on bond in EDMI?
Yes. We prepare a robust plan (custodian, employment, treatment, monitoring) to counter detention arguments.
Q2: Should I proffer?
Sometimes—but only after full discovery strategy. Proffers can help or devastate a defense. We model both paths first.
Q3: How long to trial?
The Speedy Trial clock has many exclusions. Complex cases often take months or longer. We control the calendar where it helps you.
Q4: Will agents talk to my employer?
They can. We move quickly to manage collateral risks and craft lawful, protective communications.
Q5: Are the Guidelines mandatory?
No. They’re advisory. Judges must consider them alongside §3553(a) factors. Variances happen when the story is told well.
Call to action
Charged or under investigation in Detroit? Call Ron directly at (248) 259-2995 or request a confidential consult. Fast action preserves defenses.
Read More
The largest Acquittal in Detroit in the “Last 10 years”
Detroit Free Press
Ron fights tirelessly for his clients which brings him results. In June of 2022, Ron handed the United States Attorneys office, what the Detroit Free Press would later call, “one of the biggest losses for the United States Attorneys Office in the last 10 years”. The case was that of Dr. Rajendra Bothra and his fellow physicians who were charged in a nearly $500 million healthcare fraud scheme. After years of litigation and over a month of trial they were acquitted on all counts.
Meet Detroit Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Ronald W. Chapman II
Ronald W. Chapman II is a distinguished federal criminal defense attorney based in Detroit, Michigan, renowned for his exceptional success in high-stakes litigation. A former Marine Corps Officer and Judge Advocate, Ron honed his investigative skills during the Global War on Terror, conducting complex probes into weapons trafficking, narcotics operations, and counterterrorism threats. Transitioning to private practice, he has become a formidable advocate for healthcare providers and executives facing federal prosecution, False Claims Act allegations, and regulatory enforcement actions.
Over the past decade, Ron has built a reputation as one of the most formidable trial attorneys in the country. His record-setting acquittals, dismissals, and non-prosecutions have earned national recognition, with federal judges acknowledging his courtroom skills as among the best they have seen in “20 years on the bench.” His meticulous approach, combined with a relentless commitment to his clients, has led to precedent-setting victories that have reshaped federal healthcare fraud and white-collar criminal defense.
Unmatched Trial Results and Record Acquittals
Ron’s success in federal courts is unparalleled. He has secured full acquittals in cases involving over $550 million in alleged healthcare fraud, defeated high-profile federal drug trafficking charges, and successfully challenged DOJ-led opioid task force prosecutions. His courtroom victories have led to the dismissal of cases that would have otherwise resulted in life-altering convictions for physicians and healthcare professionals.
Landmark Victories
United States v. Bothra (Michigan, 2022): Dr. Bothra, Dr. Lewis and other defendants were acquitted in one of the largest healthcare fraud cases in Detroit history—a $550 million fraud and drug trafficking indictment against five physicians accused of unlawfully distributing 13 million doses of Oxycodone.
United States v. Pompy (Michigan, 2022): Acquittal of a Detroit area interventional pain physician accused of a $6 million healthcare fraud and drug trafficking scheme.
United States v. Sachy (Georgia, 2023): Mid-trial judicial dismissal of charges alleging unlawful prescribing resulting in patient deaths—a rare outcome that underscores Ron’s ability to dismantle the prosecution’s case.
United States v. Kousa (Kentucky, 2023): Full acquittal of a physician accused of drug trafficking and healthcare fraud—defeating charges brought by the Department of Justice’s Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Task Force (ARPO).
United States v. Hansen (Kentucky, 2024): Ten-count acquittal of drug trafficking and healthcare fraud charges, marking another victory against DOJ-led opioid prosecutions.
Naum v. United States (U.S. Supreme Court): Represented a West Virginia physician before the Supreme Court, securing a vacated conviction and reshaping the interpretation of prescribing laws in federal cases.
Ron’s ability to win cases at trial is virtually unparalleled. In a system where only 0.6% of federal defendants are acquitted, Ron has secured five full trial acquittals in just the past two years, setting a new standard in federal criminal defense.
Nationwide Influence in Federal Criminal Defense
Ron’s expertise is sought after nationwide. He has successfully defended clients in multiple U.S. District Courts and has argued cases before the United States Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 5th, 6th, 9th, and 11th Circuits. His ability to navigate complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions has made him the go-to defense attorney for physicians, executives, and business leaders facing federal prosecution.
Key Federal Court Admissions and Experience
United States Supreme Court: Successfully vacated convictions.
Federal Appellate Courts: Extensive experience handling cases before the 5th, 6th, 9th, and 11th Circuits.
United States District Courts: Defended high-profile clients in courts nationwide, securing record-breaking acquittals and pre-trial dismissals.
Through a strategic, data-driven approach to litigation, Ron ensures that clients facing federal prosecution have the highest level of defense possible. His ability to challenge government investigations, expose prosecutorial weaknesses, and present compelling arguments to juries has led to unprecedented success in high-risk trials.
Trusted Legal Analyst & National Media Presence
Beyond the courtroom, Ron is a recognized legal expert frequently called upon to provide analysis on major federal criminal and constitutional law issues. He has appeared as a legal analyst for BBC, Fox News, NewsNation, NPR, and Scripps, offering insights on government investigations, federal enforcement trends, and high-profile trials. His commentary is valued for its depth, objectivity, and ability to break down complex legal issues for a broad audience.
A Proven Leader in Federal Defense Strategy
Ron’s career is defined by his ability to outmaneuver the federal government in the courtroom. His unwavering commitment to justice, combined with a relentless work ethic and sharp legal instincts, has resulted in historic trial victories that have reshaped federal healthcare fraud and opioid-related litigation.
For executives, physicians, and professionals facing federal prosecution, Ron’s presence in the courtroom represents the highest level of defense strategy available—one built on precision, credibility, and an unmatched track record of success.
