B. Terrorism Enterprise Investigations

Terrorism Enterprise Investigations

This section focuses on investigations of enterprises that seek to further political or social goals through activities that involve force or violence, or that otherwise aim to engage in terrorism or terrorism-related crimes. Like the section addressing racketeering enterprise investigations, it is concerned with the investigation of entire enterprises, rather than just individual participants and specific criminal acts, and authorizes investigations to determine the structure and scope of the enterprise as well as the relationship of the members.

1. General Authority
   
   
   1. A terrorism enterprise investigation may be initiated when facts or circumstances reasonably indicate that two or more persons are engaged in an enterprise for the purpose of: (i) furthering political or social goals wholly or in part through activities that involve force or violence and a violation of federal criminal law, (ii) engaging in terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2331(1) or (5) that involves a violation of federal criminal law, or (iii) committing any offense described in 18 U.S.C. 2332b(g)(5)(B). A terrorism enterprise investigation may also be initiated when facts or circumstances reasonably indicate that two or more persons are engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity as defined in the RICO statute, 18 U.S.C. 1961(5), that involves an offense or offenses described in 18 U.S.C. 2332b(g)(5)(B). The standard of "reasonable indication" is identical to that governing the initiation of a general crimes investigation under Part II. In determining whether an investigation should be conducted, the FBI shall consider all of the circumstances including: (i) the magnitude of the threatened harm; (ii) the likelihood it will occur; (iii) the immediacy of the threat; and (iv) any danger to privacy or free expression posed by an investigation.
   2. Authority to conduct terrorism enterprise investigations is in addition to general crimes investigative authority under Part II, racketeering enterprise investigative authority under Subpart A of this Part, and activities under other Attorney General guidelines addressing such matters as investigations and information collection relating to international terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, or foreign intelligence. Information warranting initiation of a terrorism enterprise investigation may be obtained during the course of a general crimes inquiry or investigation, a racketeering enterprise investigation, or an investigation under other Attorney General guidelines. Conversely, a terrorism enterprise investigation may yield information warranting a general crimes inquiry or investigation, a racketeering enterprise investigation, or an investigation under other Attorney General guidelines.
   3. Mere speculation that force or violence might occur during the course of an otherwise peaceable demonstration is not sufficient grounds for initiation of an investigation under this Subpart, but where facts or circumstances reasonably indicate that a group or enterprise has engaged or aims to engage in activities involving force or violence or other criminal conduct described in paragraph (1)(a) in a demonstration, an investigation may be initiated in conformity with the standards of that paragraph. For alternative authorities see Part II relating to General Crimes Investigations and the Attorney General's Guidelines on Reporting on Civil Disorders and Demonstrations Involving a Federal Interest. This does not limit the collection of information about public demonstrations by enterprises that are under active investigation pursuant to paragraph (1)(a) above.
2. Purpose

The immediate purpose of a terrorism enterprise investigation is to obtain information concerning the nature and structure of the enterprise as specifically delineated in paragraph (3) below, with a view to the longer range objectives of detection, prevention, and prosecution of the criminal activities of the enterprise.

3. Scope
   
   
   1. A terrorism enterprise investigation initiated under these guidelines may collect such information as:
      
      
      1. the members of the enterprise and other persons likely to be knowingly acting in furtherance of its criminal objectives, provided that the information concerns such persons' activities on behalf of or in furtherance of the enterprise;
      2. the finances of the enterprise;
      3. the geographical dimensions of the enterprise; and
      4. past and future activities and goals of the enterprise.
   2. In obtaining the foregoing information, any lawful investigative technique may be used, in accordance with the requirements of Part IV.
4. Authorization and Renewal
   
   
   1. A terrorism enterprise investigation may be authorized by the Special Agent in Charge, with notification to FBIHQ, upon a written recommendation setting forth the facts or circumstances reasonably indicating the existence of an enterprise as described in paragraph (1)(a). The FBI shall notify the Terrorism and Violent Crime Section of the Criminal Division, the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review, and any affected United States Attorney's office of the opening of a terrorism enterprise investigation. On receipt of such notice, the Terrorism and Violent Crime Section shall immediately notify the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General. In all such investigations, the Chief of the Terrorism and Violent Crime Section may, as he or she deems necessary, request the FBI to provide a report on the status of the investigation.
   2. A terrorism enterprise investigation may be initially authorized for a period of up to a year. An investigation may be continued upon renewed authorization for additional periods each not to exceed a year. Renewal authorization shall be obtained from the SAC with notification to FBIHQ. The FBI shall notify the Terrorism and Violent Crime Section and the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review of any renewal, and the Terrorism and Violent Crime Section shall immediately notify the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General.
   3. Investigations shall be reviewed by the SAC on or before the expiration of the period for which the investigation and each renewal thereof is authorized. In some cases, the enterprise may meet the threshold standard but be temporarily inactive in the sense that it has not engaged in recent acts of violence or other criminal activities as described in paragraph (1)(a), nor is there any immediate threat of harm - yet the composition, goals and prior history of the group suggest the need for continuing federal interest. The investigation may be continued in such cases with whatever scope is warranted in light of these considerations.
   4. An investigation which has been terminated may be reopened upon a showing of the same standard and pursuant to the same procedures as required for initiation of an investigation.
   5. In addition to the authority of Special Agents in Charge under this paragraph, the Director of the FBI, and any Assistant Director or senior Headquarters official designated by the Director, may authorize, renew, review, and reopen terrorism enterprise investigations in conformity with the standards of this paragraph.
   6. The FBI shall report to the Terrorism and Violent Crime Section of the Criminal Division and the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review the progress of a terrorism enterprise investigation not later than 180 days after its initiation, and the results at the end of each year the investigation continues. The Terrorism and Violent Crime Section shall immediately transmit copies of these reports to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General.

Last reviewed October 2024