§1583 — Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure | U.S. Code

Summary

Makes it a crime to kidnap or carry someone away if the person is taken to be sold into forced labor or kept as a slave. It also makes it a crime to lure someone onto a ship or to another place to be made a slave or sent out of the country to be made a slave. It is also illegal to block or try to block enforcing this rule. Anyone who does these things can be fined and put in prison for a number of years or for life, or both, when the crime causes the victim’s death or when the crime includes kidnapping, an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit it, or an attempt to kill.

Title 18, §1583

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whoever—

(1)kidnaps or carries away any other person, with the intent that such other person be sold into involuntary servitude, or held as a slave;

(2)entices, persuades, or induces any other person to go on board any vessel or to any other place with the intent that he or she may be made or held as a slave, or sent out of the country to be so made or held; or

(3)obstructs, or attempts to obstruct, or in any way interferes with or prevents the enforcement of this section,

(b)Whoever violates this section shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both if—

(1)the violation results in the death of the victim; or

(2)the violation includes kidnaping, an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse, an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 443 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 268, 35 Stat. 1141). Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title. Minor changes were made in paragraphing of section.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–392 substituted “not more than 30 years” for “not more than 20 years” in concluding provisions. 2008—Pub. L. 110–457 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section provided penalties for kidnapping or enticement of a person with intent to sell or hold such person as a slave. 2000—Pub. L. 106–386, in last par., substituted “20 years” for “10 years” and inserted at end “If death results from the violation of this section, or if the violation includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or the attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or life, or both.” 1996—Pub. L. 104–208 substituted “10 years” for “five years” in last par. 1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000” in last par.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–208 applicable with respect to offenses occurring on or after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 218(d) of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1581 of this title.

§1583 Enticement into slavery