§2339C Prohibitions against the financing of terrorism

Summary

It is a crime to give or raise money when you mean, or know, that the money will be used to carry out certain violent or terrorist acts. Those acts include crimes covered by nine international anti-terrorism treaties and other attacks meant to kill or badly hurt civilians to scare people or force a government or international group to act. Trying or planning to do this is also a crime. The money does not actually have to be spent for the crime to count. Breaking this rule can bring a fine, up to 20 years in prison, or both. The United States can prosecute these crimes in many situations: when they happen in the U.S., on U.S.-flag ships or planes, on U.S.-operated aircraft, when a U.S. national is involved or found here, when U.S. people or property are targeted, or when the act affects U.S. interests abroad. It is also a crime for someone in the U.S., or a U.S. national abroad, to hide or disguise support, resources, or money that they know were given or raised for those illegal acts; that hiding can bring a fine or up to 10 years in prison. A U.S. company can owe at least $10,000 if a person in charge of it commits the money-offense. Short definitions: “funds” means any assets or instruments of value; “government facility” means places used by state officials or diplomats; “proceeds” means money gained from the crime; “provides” means gives or sends; “collects” means raises or receives; “predicate act” means the violent or treaty-covered acts above; “treaty” means the nine listed international conventions on hijacking, aviation and maritime attacks, hostage-taking, nuclear protection, airport violence, and terrorist bombings.