18 U.S.C. § 513 – Counterfeiting or Forgery of State or Private Securities
This law makes it a federal crime to counterfeit, forge, possess, or traffic in forged or counterfeit securities of states, political subdivisions, or private organizations.
This statute targets fraud involving financial instruments issued by states, political subdivisions, and private or non-governmental organizations.
It applies both to the making or handling of forged or counterfeit securities and to the possession or transfer of tools or implements intended for producing such securities.
What the law prohibits.
A person violates this statute if they knowingly and with intent to deceive another person, organization, or government:
- Make a counterfeited security of a state, political subdivision, or organization
- Utter or possess a counterfeited security of a state, political subdivision, or organization
- Make a forged security of a state, political subdivision, or organization
- Utter or possess a forged security of a state, political subdivision, or organization
A person also violates this statute if they knowingly:
- Make, receive, possess, sell, or otherwise transfer any implement designed for or particularly suited for making a counterfeit or forged security, with intent that it be so used
Penalties.
A person convicted under this statute shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than ten years, or both.
If you’re being investigated or charged under a federal securities counterfeiting or forgery statute, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our criminal defense attorneys to discuss your defense options.
