Walter White, the infamous character in Breaking Bad, has established his position as one of television's most notorious criminals. Throughout the series, he has managed to commit an astounding 30 different types of crimes. It is important to note that this figure represents the diverse range of crimes rather than individual instances, making the total far surpass that of many other TV characters. As we delve into these criminal activities, it becomes evident that Walter White's actions transcend the boundaries of the law, regardless of their severity, and leave us astonished at the extent of his transgressions.
30 Accessory To A Crime
Accessory to a crime is a widely committed offense by Walter White, who repeatedly engages in this illicit activity throughout the series. With his collaborations with Saul Goodman and his involvement in Gus Fring's drug trade, Walter becomes an accessory to numerous criminal acts. A notable incident where Walter would have actually faced charges is his participation in the killing of Gale Boetticher.
29 Arson
While not among Walter White's most common transgressions, arson is one of the first illicit acts he commits. In episode 4 of Breaking Bad's inaugural season, Walt deliberately sets ablaze a vehicle parked at a gas station, serving as a quintessential example of arson. Had Walt been apprehended for this offense early on in the series, Breaking Bad's conclusion may have unfolded quite differently.
28 Attempted Murder
Attempted murder is one of Walt's early criminal acts, as depicted in the Breaking Bad pilot where he tries, but ultimately fails, to kill Krazy-8. In season 4, Walt's intention to eliminate Gus Fring puts him at risk of being charged with attempted murder. Towards the end of the series, Walt's attempted murder of Todd and Jack would also result in charges, although Jesse ultimately carries out the act.
27 Blackmail
Throughout the series, Walter White proves to be a master of manipulation and coercion, employing the tactic of blackmail to achieve his goals. His relationship with Jesse is deeply rooted in this dark practice, as Walt makes it clear from the start that he will expose Jesse's drug-related activities unless he collaborates in the production of their methamphetamine. Despite Jesse's repeated desire to leave the criminal world behind, Walt refuses to let him go, constantly reminding him of the shared guilt and illicit activities they have engaged in together.
26 Breaking & Entering
Breaking and entering is another charge that Walt would face, as he and Jesse engage in this illegal activity in season 1. In an audacious attempt to pilfer a barrel of methylamine in Breaking Bad season 1, episode 7, the dynamic duo forcefully gains access to a reclamation plant warehouse. The gravity of this offense is heightened by the fact that Walt resorts to the use of an explosive to carry out their illicit act.
25 Child Endangerment
Walter White's act of poisoning Brock Cantillo would undoubtedly have resulted in a child endangerment charge. The poisoning posed a severe threat to Brock's life, and Walt was fully aware of the potentially fatal consequences. Moreover, it can be contended that throughout the course of Breaking Bad, Walt consistently put his own children in harm's way. This is particularly evident in the early seasons, where a significant portion of Walt's illicit activities took place within the confines of his own residence.
24 Concealment Of Death
23 Conspiracy To Commit Murder
The concealment of death is a recurring criminal act committed by Walter White, as he consistently seeks to hide the murders he perpetrates. One prominent example of this is portrayed when Walt and Jesse dissolve Emilio Koyama's body in acid, unequivocally demonstrating their efforts to conceal a death. Moreover, Walt is intricately involved in covering up numerous other killings throughout the series, including the murders of Gale, Gus Fring's drug dealers, and the inmates who possess knowledge of him and Jesse.
Walt's sinister nature is laid bare in Breaking Bad as he orchestrates multiple murder plots, showcasing his ability to meticulously plan every detail. One striking example is his intricate scheme to eliminate Gus Fring. Collaborating with Mike and a group of neo-Nazis, Walt becomes the mastermind behind a chilling spree of killings in order to eliminate potential witnesses in prisons. Furthermore, it is Walt who manipulates Jesse into taking the life of Gale, a pivotal moment in the series. These meticulously planned and executed murders leave no doubt that Walter White would be charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
22 Contract Killing
Breaking Bad's neo-Nazis serve as the primary antagonists in the series' finale; however, their initial role sees them employed by Walt to eliminate Mike's witnesses. Walt arranges for multiple assassins to take out each target, resulting in a mounting tally of contract killing charges against him. Furthermore, the possibility of Walt coercing Jesse into murdering Gale could potentially worsen his legal predicament.
21 Criminal Damaging Of Property
In Breaking Bad, Walter White engages in various criminal activities, and while it may not be his most heinous crime, he frequently resorts to damaging property. Throughout the series, Walt displays his destructive tendencies by blowing up a car in season 1 and causing an explosion at the reclamation plant warehouse. Furthermore, in his attempts to eliminate his rivals, Walt inflicts substantial damage by demolishing Tuco Salamanca's base of operations and even destroying the Casa Tranquila retirement home while taking down Gus.
20 Disturbing Human Remains
Walt, in Breaking Bad season 1, also engaged in another peculiar offense: tampering with human remains. The act of using acid to dispose of Emilio's body, undertaken by Walt and Jesse, would certainly attract a charge of disturbing human remains. Furthermore, it is plausible that Walt's involvement in other undisclosed murder cover-ups could lead to further legal consequences.
19 Distribution Of A Controlled Substance
The distribution of a controlled substance serves as the foundation of Walter White's criminal empire, propelling him forward in the gripping narrative of Breaking Bad. Portraying the notorious Heisenberg, Walter White emerges as a prominent drug kingpin within Albuquerque, captivating the attention of the DEA. Throughout the show, Walter White's proficiency in peddling crystal meth is unmatched, surpassing even the most notorious real-life drug lords in terms of sheer scale and frequency.
18 Drug Manufacturing
17 Drug Possession
In addition to distribution, Walter White would also face drug manufacturing charges. Walt, the mastermind behind the notorious Blue Sky line of crystal meth, was responsible for its production numerous times throughout the series. While Breaking Bad featured other drug manufacturers, Walt stood out as one of the most prolific, making this particular crime the primary focus of his charges in court.
As a manufacturer and seller of drugs, Walt inevitably faced drug possession charges. While his crystal meth operation constituted a major portion of these charges, it's important to note that it wasn't the sole illicit substance involved. Additionally, Walt engaged in recreational marijuana use in Breaking Bad, which was illegal in New Mexico during the timeframe of the series.
16 Evidence Tampering
15 Falsely Reporting An Incident
Throughout the events of Breaking Bad, Walt has a habit of tampering with evidence, which only serves to compound the charges against him. He enlists the assistance of Saul Goodman to help cover up and manipulate evidence every step of the way. Under Walt's direction, Saul engages in a variety of illegal activities. Moreover, Walt's handling of the bodies also adds to the mounting evidence against him.
Falsely reporting an incident is not a common offense on Walter White's criminal record, but he definitely commits this act in Breaking Bad. In an effort to divert Hank's attention, Walt employs Saul to contact the DEA agent and falsely inform him that his wife has been involved in a car crash. Because Hank is a law enforcement officer, the phone call made by Saul Goodman could potentially lead to charges of falsely reporting an incident, and Walter White's involvement in the scheme would implicate him as well.
14 Grand Larceny
13 Illegal Surveillance
In Breaking Bad, Walter White engages in grand larceny as he orchestrates a robbery at the reclamation plant warehouse. His target is a valuable barrel of methylamine, a chemical that comes with a hefty price tag. Considering the expensive nature of these chemicals, it is highly probable that Walt would face additional charges of grand larceny, alongside breaking and entering, for his involvement in this crime.
Walter White, the main character in the television series Breaking Bad, commits the crime of illegal surveillance by planting a listening device. This act is motivated by his desire to monitor the Drug Enforcement Administration's investigation into his alter ego, Heisenberg. In order to accomplish this, Walt hides a small wireless microphone inside a picture frame that is located on his brother-in-law Hank's desk. Additionally, he also intercepts and taps into Hank's computer. It is important to note that since Hank is a federal officer, Walt's actions can result in even more serious charges of illegal surveillance.
12 Intimidation
Walt is undeniably one of the most formidable characters in TV history, and his intimidating nature has unfortunately led him to engage in acts of illegal intimidation. In order to keep Jesse involved in the drug trade, Walt resorts to intimidation tactics, going as far as threatening Jesse with harm when he challenges Walt's blackmail. The dynamic of intimidation between Walt and Jesse persists throughout the entire series of Breaking Bad, making it impossible to quantify the number of intimidation charges that would be brought against Walt. Additionally, Walt also employs intimidation methods against Saul on multiple occasions, although not to the same extent as with Jesse.
11 Kidnapping
Kidnapping is one of the early crimes committed by Walt in Breaking Bad. In the pilot episode, after his failed attempt to eliminate him, Walt holds Krazy-8 as a hostage. Additionally, in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, there is a scene where Walt and Jesse kidnap Saul Goodman and take him to a remote desert location. This scene features cameos from Walt and Jesse.