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SELECTED SENTENCING STATUTES

2024
TELEMARKETING FRAUD PROTECTION ACT OF 1998 (PUB. L. 105-184)

Telemarketing Fraud (Section 2326 Offenses). Pub.L. 105–184, § 6, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 520, provided:

“Sec. 6. Amendment of Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

(a) Definition of Telemarketing.In this section, the term “telemarketing” has the meaning given that term in section 2326 of title 18, United States Code.

(b) Directive to Sentencing Commission.Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall–

(1) promulgate Federal sentencing guidelines or amend existing sentencing guidelines (and policy statements, if appropriate) to provide for substantially increased penalties for persons convicted of offenses described in section 2326 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this Act, in connection with the conduct of telemarketing; and

(2) submit to Congress an explanation of each action taken under paragraph (1) and any additional policy recommendations for combating the offenses described in that paragraph.

(c) Requirements.In carrying out this section, the Commission shall—

(1) ensure that the guidelines and policy statements promulgated or amended pursuant to subsection (b)(1) and any recommendations submitted thereunder reflect the serious nature of the offenses;

(2) provide an additional appropriate sentencing enhancement, if the offense involved sophisticated means, including but not limited to sophisticated concealment efforts, such as perpetrating the offense from outside the United States;

(3) provide an additional appropriate sentencing enhancement for cases in which a large number of vulnerable victims, including but not limited to victims described in section 2326(2) of title 18, United States Code, are affected by a fraudulent scheme or schemes;

(4) ensure that guidelines and policy statements promulgated or amended pursuant to subsection (b)(1) are reasonably consistent with other relevant statutory directives to the Commission and with other guidelines;

(5) account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances that might justify upward or downward departures;

(6) ensure that the guidelines adequately meet the purposes of sentencing as set forth in section 3553(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code; and

(7) take any other action the Commission considers necessary to carry out this section.

(d) Emergency Authority.The Commission shall promulgate the guidelines or amendments provided for under this subsection as soon as practicable, and in any event not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1998, in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 21(a) of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1987, as though the authority under that authority had not expired, except that the Commission shall submit to Congress the emergency guidelines or amendments promulgated under this section, and shall set an effective date for those guidelines or amendments not earlier than 30 days after their submission to Congress.”

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