                 TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
 
                             PART I--CRIMES
 
                   CHAPTER 81--PIRACY AND PRIVATEERING
 
Sec. 1659. Attack to plunder vessel

    Whoever, upon the high seas or other waters within the admiralty and 
maritime jurisdiction of the United States, by surprise or open force, 
maliciously attacks or sets upon any vessel belonging to another, with 
an intent unlawfully to plunder the same, or to despoil any owner 
thereof of any moneys, goods, or merchandise laden on board thereof, 
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, 
or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 775; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, 
Sec. 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)


                      Historical and Revision Notes

    Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 489 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 
321, Sec. 298, 35 Stat. 1147).
    Mandatory punishment provisions were rephrased in the alternative.


                               Amendments

    1994--Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ``fined under this title'' for 
``fined not more than $5,000''.
