§1581. Peonage; obstructing enforcement

(a) Whoever holds or returns any person to a condition of peonage, or arrests any person with the intent of placing him in or returning him to a condition of peonage, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(b) Whoever obstructs, or attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of this section, shall be liable to the penalties prescribed in subsection (a).

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 772 ; Sept. 13, 1994, Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), 108 Stat. 2147 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§444, 445 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§269, 270, 35 Stat. 1142 ).

Section consolidates sections 444 and 445 of said title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., with changes in phraseology to amplify and clarify their provisions.

Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of "principal" in section 2 of this title.

Amendments

1994-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000".

Cross References

Peonage abolished in States and Territories, see section 1994 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Slavery abolished, see Const. Amend. 13.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in title 8 section 1101.