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Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102

§1074 Flight to Avoid Prosecution for Damaging or Destroying Any Building or Other Real or Personal Property

Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 49 — FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE › § 1074

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Traveling across state lines or to another country to escape arrest, jail, or punishment after starting or causing damage with fire or explosives to buildings, vehicles, homes, churches, synagogues, schools, or similar property is a federal crime. It is also a crime to leave to avoid testifying about one of those acts. You can be fined, jailed for up to five years, or both. Federal charges can be brought where the original crime was said to happen or where the person was held. States and territories still may prosecute these offenses if they have the usual authority.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §1074

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whoever moves or travels in interstate or foreign commerce with intent either (1) to avoid prosecution, or custody, or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place from which he flees, for willfully attempting to or damaging or destroying by fire or explosive any building, structure, facility, vehicle, dwelling house, synagogue, church, religious center or educational institution, public or private, or (2) to avoid giving testimony in any criminal proceeding relating to any such offense shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(b)Violations of this section may be prosecuted in the Federal judicial district in which the original crime was alleged to have been committed or in which the person was held in custody or confinement: Provided, however, That this section shall not be construed as indicating an intent on the part of Congress to prevent any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession of the United States of any jurisdiction over any offense over which they would have jurisdiction in the absence of such section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 1074

Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102