When the FBI Comes Calling…®
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING (continued)
Transportation of Slaves or Peons (continued)
18 U.S.C. § 1587
The Crime
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1587, it is a crime to be the captain, master, or commander of any vessel found in any river, port, bay, harbor, or on the high seas within the jurisdiction of the United States, or hovering off the coast thereof, and
- have on board another person for the purpose of selling that person as a slave. 18 U.S.C. § 1587.
- do the preceding with the intent to land another person for purpose of selling that person as a slave. 18 U.S.C. § 1587.
The Punishment
- The punishment for violating section 1587 is a fine, imprisonment for not more than four years, or both.
Jurisdiction
Section 1587 applies to:
- The captain, master, or commander
- of any vessel
- found in any river, port, bay, harbor, or on the high seas within the jurisdiction of the United States; or
- hovering off the coast thereof.
Case Law Interpreting Section 1587
There seems to be no reported cases that discuss section 1587 or its predecessor statutes.
18 U.S.C. § 1588
The Crime
It is a violation of section 1588 to be a person as described in the jurisdiction statement below and to:
- receive on board any other person with the knowledge or intent that such person is to be carried from any place within the United States to any other place to be held or sold as a slave. 18 U.S.C. § 1588; or
- carry away from any place within the United States another person with the intent that that person may be so held or sold as a slave. 18 U.S.C. § 1588.
The Punishment
- The punishment for a violation of section 1588 is a fine, imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both.
Jurisdiction
Section 1588 applies to any master, owner, or person having charge of any vessel.
Case Law Interpreting Section 1588
There seems to be no reported cases that discuss section 1588 or its predecessor statutes.