H.R. 2394: Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act

This bill, known as the Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act or the DETERRENCE Act, aims to enhance sentencing for certain crimes if they are committed with the involvement of foreign governments. Here are the key elements of the bill:

1. Kidnapping

The bill proposes that if a person is convicted of kidnapping and it was done knowingly under the direction of a foreign government, their sentence could be increased by up to 10 years. Similarly, if someone is convicted of conspiring to commit kidnapping in coordination with a foreign government, their sentence could also increase by up to 10 years. If a person is convicted of attempting kidnapping under similar circumstances, their sentence could increase by up to 5 years.

2. Murder-for-Hire

For murder-for-hire cases, if the crime was committed at the direction of or in collaboration with a foreign government, the convicted individual could face a sentence enhancement of up to 5 years. If the offense led to personal injury, the sentence could increase by up to 10 years.

3. Threats Against Federal Officials

If someone threatens or injures a federal official with the involvement of a foreign government, their sentence could be increased based on the severity of the offense. For example, if the offense involves serious bodily injury, the sentence could increase by up to 10 years.

4. Stalking

The bill also specifies that if an individual is convicted of stalking while acting in collaboration with a foreign government, their sentence could be increased by up to 10 years if the victim dies. Other enhancements include up to 5 years for serious bodily injury or the use of a dangerous weapon during the offense.

5. Protection of U.S. Officials

Similar provisions for sentence enhancements are included for crimes against U.S. officials where the crime was knowingly coordinated with a foreign power. This could lead to a sentence increase of up to 10 years.

6. Assassination, Kidnapping, and Assault of the President

For individuals convicted of crimes such as assassination or kidnapping of the President or other significant individuals, the bill proposes that their sentences could be enhanced by up to 10 years if carried out in coordination with a foreign government.

Summary of Sentence Enhancements

• Up to 10 years for offenses committed under the direction of a foreign government.
• 5 to 10 years increase for conspiracies involving foreign governments.
• Specific enhancements based on the nature of the violent crime (murder, assault, kidnapping), with varying degrees of increases depending on whether the offense resulted in injury or involved weapons.

The overall aim of the bill is to impose stricter penalties to deter criminal collaborations with foreign governments and to protect national security.

Relevant Companies

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