Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§957 Possession of property in aid of foreign government
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 45— - FOREIGN RELATIONS › § 957
Summary
It is a crime to help a foreign government by knowingly possessing or controlling property or papers that are used or meant to break U.S. criminal laws, or to violate the United States’ rights under treaties or the law of nations. The penalty can be a fine, up to ten years in prison, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §957
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, in aid of any foreign government, knowingly and willfully possesses or controls any property or papers used or designed or intended for use in violating any penal statute, or any of the rights or obligations of the United States under any treaty or the law of nations, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. § 98 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title XI, § 22, 40 Stat. 230; Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, § 8, 54 Stat. 80). Definition of “foreign government” was omitted and is incorporated in section 11 of this title. Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative. Minor changes were made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 957
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73