§957. Possession of property in aid of foreign government

Whoever, in aid of any foreign government, knowingly and willfully possesses or controls any property or papers used or designed or intended for use in violating any penal statute, or any of the rights or obligations of the United States under any treaty or the law of nations, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 745 ; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. §98 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title XI, §22, 40 Stat. 230 ; Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, §8, 54 Stat. 80 ).

Definition of "foreign government" was omitted and is incorporated in section 11 of this title.

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Amendments

1994-Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $1,000".

Canal Zone

Applicability of section to Canal Zone, see section 14 of this title.

Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure

Warrant to search for property used in violation of this section, see rule 41, Appendix to this title.

Cross References

Jurisdiction of offenses under this section, see section 3241 of this title.

Letters, writings, etc., in violation of this section as nonmailable, see section 1717 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 14, 1717 of this title.