I know dude who beat RICO after being the main target. Never went to trial. Charges dropped.
I know someone else who cooperated on a gigantic drug charge. Someone below flipped on him. He flipped up. FEDS asked the court for probation citing cooperation, behavior awaiting sentencing, obtaining a degree in that time etc etc yadda yadda.
At sentencing the judge gave him a 30 min lecture on drugs and society, thanked him for his good behavior while awaiting trial, thanked him for his cooperation, acknowledged the recommendation and proceeded to hit him with a 10 year sentence. He did 8 by entering a drug treatment program while locked up. He’s out now and I’m lives fear of retaliation.
It really is like rolling the dice no matter what you do. Not even cooperation guarantees you anything.