§ 1704. — Keys or locks stolen or reproduced.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC1704]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 83--POSTAL SERVICE
Sec. 1704. Keys or locks stolen or reproduced
Whoever steals, purloins, embezzles, or obtains by false pretense
any key suited to any lock adopted by the Post Office Department or the
Postal Service and in use on any of the mails or bags thereof, or any
key to any lock box, lock drawer, or other authorized receptacle for the
deposit or delivery of mail matter; or
Whoever knowingly and unlawfully makes, forges, or counterfeits any
such key, or possesses any such mail lock or key with the intent
unlawfully or improperly to use, sell, or otherwise dispose of the same,
or to cause the same to be unlawfully or improperly used, sold, or
otherwise disposed of; or
Whoever, being engaged as a contractor or otherwise in the
manufacture of any such mail lock or key, delivers any finished or
unfinished lock or the interior part thereof, or key, used or designed
for use by the department, to any person not duly authorized under the
hand of the Postmaster General and the seal of the Post Office
Department or the Postal Service, to receive the same, unless the person
receiving it is the contractor for furnishing the same or engaged in the
manufacture thereof in the manner authorized by the contract, or the
agent of such manufacturer--
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten
years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(17),
Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII,
Sec. 330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 314 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.
321, Sec. 191, 35 Stat. 1125).
Reference to persons aiding, causing or assisting was omitted. Such
persons are principals under section 2 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 $500'' in last par.
1970--Pub. L. 91-375 inserted ``or the Postal Service'' after ``Post
Office Department'' in first and third pars.
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 91-375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12,
1970, on date established therefor by Board of Governors of United
States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see
section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91-375, set out as an Effective Date note
preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service.
