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S.B. 297 Enrolled
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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill amends provisions of the Utah Criminal Code relating to animal cruelty.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . defines terms;
14 . removes conflicting animal cruelty provisions related to hazing;
15 . clarifies and describes conduct that is a violation of the cruelty to animal provisions
16 of the Utah Criminal Code;
17 . provides that a veterinarian is immune from civil liability for reporting, in good faith,
18 an incident of cruelty to an animal;
19 . makes it a third degree felony to intentionally or knowingly torture a companion
20 animal; and
21 . makes technical changes.
22 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
23 None
24 Other Special Clauses:
25 None
26 Utah Code Sections Affected:
27 AMENDS:
28 76-5-107.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapters 240 and 289
29 76-9-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1996, Second Special Session, Chapter 7
30 76-9-301.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1996, Second Special Session, Chapter 7
31 76-9-301.6, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 282
32 76-9-301.7, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1996, Second Special Session, Chapter 7
33 76-10-1602, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 129
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35 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
36 Section 1. Section 76-5-107.5 is amended to read:
37 76-5-107.5. Prohibition of "hazing" -- Definitions -- Penalties.
38 (1) A person is guilty of hazing if that person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
39 commits an act or causes another to commit an act that:
40 (a) (i) endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another; [
41 (ii) involves any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding,
42 calisthenics, bruising, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or exposure
43 to the elements; [
44 (iii) involves consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance or any other
45 physical activity that endangers the mental or physical health and safety of an individual; or
46 (iv) involves any activity that would subject the individual to extreme mental stress,
47 such as sleep deprivation, extended isolation from social contact, or conduct that subjects
48 another to extreme embarrassment, shame, or humiliation; [
49 [
50 (b) (i) is for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, holding office in,
51 or as a condition for continued membership in any organization; or
52 (ii) if the actor knew that the victim is a member of or candidate for membership with a
53 school team or school organization to which the actor belongs or did belong within the
54 preceding two years.
55 (2) It is not a defense to prosecution of hazing that a person under 21, against whom
56 the hazing was directed, consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.
57 (3) An actor who hazes another is guilty of a:
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61 vehicle;
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63 defined in Section 76-1-601 ;
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66 a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 76-1-601 .
67 (4) A person who in good faith reports or participates in reporting of an alleged hazing
68 is not subject to any civil or criminal liability regarding the reporting.
69 (5) (a) This section does not apply to military training or other official military
70 activities.
71 (b) Military conduct is governed by Title 39, Chapter 6, Utah Code of Military Justice.
72 (6) (a) A prosecution under this section does not bar a prosecution of the actor for:
73 (i) any other offense for which the actor may be liable as a party for conduct committed
74 by the person hazed; or
75 (ii) any offense, caused in the course of the hazing, that the actor commits against the
76 person who is hazed.
77 (b) Under Subsection (6)(a)(i) a person may be separately punished, both for the hazing
78 offense and the conduct committed by the person hazed.
79 (c) Under Subsection (6)(a)(ii) a person may not be punished both for hazing and for
80 the other offense, but shall be punished for the offense carrying the greater maximum penalty.
81 Section 2. Section 76-9-301 is amended to read:
82 76-9-301. Cruelty to animals.
83 (1) As used in this section:
84 (a) (i) "Abandon" means to intentionally deposit, leave, or drop off any live animal:
85 (A) without providing for the care of that animal, in accordance with accepted animal
86 husbandry practices or customary farming practices; or
87 (B) in a situation where conditions present an immediate, direct, and serious threat to
88 the life, safety, or health of the animal.
89 (ii) "Abandon" does not include returning wildlife to its natural habitat.
90 (b) (i) "Animal" means, except as provided in Subsection (1)(b)(ii), a live, nonhuman
91 vertebrate creature.
92 (ii) "Animal" does not include:
93 (A) a live, nonhuman vertebrate creature, if:
94 (I) the conduct toward the creature, and the care provided to the creature, is in
95 accordance with accepted animal husbandry practices; and
96 (II) the creature is:
97 (Aa) owned or kept by a zoological park that is accredited by, or a member of, the
98 American Zoo and Aquarium Association;
99 (Bb) kept, owned, or used for the purpose of training hunting dogs or raptors; or
100 (Cc) temporarily in the state as part of a circus or traveling exhibitor licensed by the
101 United States Department of Agriculture under 7 U.S.C. 2133;
102 (B) a live, nonhuman vertebrate creature that is owned, kept, or used for rodeo
103 purposes, if the conduct toward the creature, and the care provided to the creature, is in
104 accordance with accepted rodeo practices;
105 (C) livestock, if the conduct toward the creature, and the care provided to the creature,
106 is in accordance with accepted animal husbandry practices or customary farming practices; or
107 (D) wildlife, as defined in Section 23-13-2 , including protected and unprotected
108 wildlife, if the conduct toward the wildlife is in accordance with lawful hunting, fishing, or
109 trapping practices or other lawful practices.
110 (c) "Companion animal" means an animal that is a domestic dog or a domestic cat.
111 (d) "Custody" means ownership, possession, or control over an animal.
112 (e) "Legal privilege" means an act that:
113 (i) is authorized by state law, including Division of Wildlife Resources rules; and
114 (ii) is not in violation of a local ordinance.
115 (f) "Livestock" means:
116 (i) domesticated:
117 (A) cattle;
118 (B) sheep;
119 (C) goats;
120 (D) turkeys;
121 (E) swine;
122 (F) equines;
123 (G) camelidae;
124 (H) ratites; or
125 (I) bison;
126 (ii) domesticated elk, as defined in Section 4-39-102 ; or
127 (iii) any domesticated nonhuman vertebrate creature, domestic furbearer, or domestic
128 poultry, raised, kept, or used for agricultural purposes.
129 (g) "Necessary food, water, care, or shelter" means the following, taking into account
130 the species, age, and physical condition of the animal:
131 (i) appropriate and essential food and water;
132 (ii) adequate protection, including appropriate shelter, against extreme weather
133 conditions; and
134 (iii) other essential care.
135 (h) "Torture" means intentionally or knowingly causing or inflicting extreme physical
136 pain to an animal in an especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or exceptionally depraved manner.
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139 recklessly, or with criminal negligence:
140 (a) fails to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in [
141 person's custody;
142 (b) abandons an animal in the person's custody;
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146 kind for amusement or gain; or
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148 creature for amusement or gain.
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150 (2) is:
151 (a) a class B misdemeanor if committed intentionally or knowingly; and
152 (b) a class C misdemeanor if committed recklessly or with criminal negligence.
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154 (a) tortures an animal;
155 (b) administers, or causes to be administered, poison or a poisonous [
156 substance to an animal [
157 (c) kills an animal or causes an animal to be killed [
158 privilege to do so.
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160 Subsection [
161 (a) a class A misdemeanor if committed intentionally or knowingly;
162 (b) a class B misdemeanor if committed recklessly; and
163 (c) a class C misdemeanor if committed with criminal negligence.
164 (6) A person is guilty of a third degree felony if the person intentionally or knowingly
165 tortures a companion animal.
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167 towards the animal was:
168 (a) by a licensed veterinarian using accepted veterinary practice;
169 (b) directly related to bona fide experimentation for scientific research, provided that if
170 the animal is to be destroyed, the manner employed will not be unnecessarily cruel unless
171 directly necessary to the veterinary purpose or scientific research involved;
172 (c) permitted under Section 18-1-3 ;
173 (d) by a person who humanely destroys any animal found suffering past recovery for
174 any useful purpose; or
175 (e) by a person who humanely destroys any apparently abandoned animal found on the
176 person's property.
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178 animal, the person who is not the owner of the animal shall obtain:
179 (a) the judgment of a veterinarian of the animal's nonrecoverable condition;
180 (b) the judgment of two other persons called by the person to view the unrecoverable
181 condition of the animal in the person's presence;
182 (c) the consent from the owner of the animal to the destruction of the animal; or
183 (d) a reasonable conclusion that the animal's suffering is beyond recovery, through the
184 person's own observation, if the person is in a location or circumstance where the person is
185 unable to contact another person.
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187 (a) the training, instruction, and grooming of animals, [
188 are in accordance with accepted animal husbandry practices[
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190 (b) the use of an electronic locating or training collar by the owner of an animal for the
191 purpose of lawful animal training, lawful hunting practices, or protecting against loss of that
192 animal[
193 (c) the lawful hunting of, fishing for, or trapping of, wildlife.
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195 locating or training collar.
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197 to other penalties:
198 (a) order the defendant to be evaluated to determine the need for psychiatric or
199 psychological counseling, to receive counseling as the court determines to be appropriate, and
200 to pay the costs of the evaluation and counseling;
201 (b) require the defendant to forfeit any rights the defendant has to the animal subjected
202 to a violation of this section and to repay the reasonable costs incurred by any person or agency
203 in caring for each animal subjected to violation of this section;
204 (c) order the defendant to no longer possess or retain custody of any animal, as
205 specified by the court, during the period of the defendant's probation or parole or other period
206 as designated by the court; and
207 (d) order the animal to be placed for the purpose of adoption or care in the custody of a
208 county and municipal animal control agency, an animal welfare agency registered with the state,
209 sold at public auction, or humanely destroyed.
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226 (13) A veterinarian who, acting in good faith, reports a violation of this section to law
227 enforcement, may not be held civilly liable for making the report.
228 Section 3. Section 76-9-301.5 is amended to read:
229 76-9-301.5. Spectator at organized animal fighting exhibitions.
230 It is unlawful for a person to knowingly be present as a spectator at any place, building,
231 or tenement where preparations are being made for an exhibition of the fighting of animals, as
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233 such exhibition, regardless of whether any entrance fee has been charged. A person who
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235 Section 4. Section 76-9-301.6 is amended to read:
236 76-9-301.6. Dog fighting exhibition -- Authority to arrest and take possession of
237 dogs and property.
238 (1) A peace officer as defined in Title 53, Chapter 13, Peace Officer Classifications,
239 may enter any place, building, or tenement where an exhibition of dog fighting is occurring, or
240 where preparations are being made for such an exhibition and, without a warrant, arrest all
241 persons present.
242 (2) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 76-9-305 , any authorized officer who
243 makes an arrest under Subsection (1) may lawfully take possession of all dogs, paraphernalia,
244 implements, or other property or things used or employed, or to be employed, in an exhibition
245 of dog fighting prohibited by Subsection 76-9-301 [
246 (b) The officer, at the time of the taking of property pursuant to Subsection (2)(a), shall
247 state his name and provide other identifying information to the person in charge of the dogs or
248 property taken.
249 (3) (a) After taking possession of dogs, paraphernalia, implements, or other property or
250 things under Subsection (2), the officer shall file an affidavit with the judge or magistrate before
251 whom a complaint has been made against any person arrested under this section.
252 (b) The affidavit shall include:
253 (i) the name of the person charged in the complaint;
254 (ii) a description of all property taken;
255 (iii) the time and place of the taking of the property;
256 (iv) the name of the person from whom the property was taken;
257 (v) the name of the person who claims to own the property, if known; and
258 (vi) a statement that the officer has reason to believe and believes that the property
259 taken was used or employed, or was to be used or employed, in violation of Section 76-9-301
260 or 76-9-301.1 , and the grounds for the belief.
261 (4) (a) The officer shall deliver the confiscated property to the judge or magistrate who
262 shall, by order, place the property in the custody of the officer or any other person designated in
263 the order, and that person shall keep the property until conviction or final discharge of the
264 person against whom the complaint was made.
265 (b) The person designated in Subsection (4)(a) shall assume immediate custody of the
266 property, and retain the property until further order of the court.
267 (c) Upon conviction of the person charged, all confiscated property shall be forfeited
268 and destroyed or otherwise disposed of, as the court may order.
269 (d) If the person charged is acquitted or discharged without conviction, the court shall,
270 on demand, order the property to be returned to its owner.
271 Section 5. Section 76-9-301.7 is amended to read:
272 76-9-301.7. Cruelty to animals -- Enhanced penalties.
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274 by verdict, including a plea of guilty or no contest that is held in abeyance under Title 77,
275 Chapter 2a, Pleas in Abeyance, regardless of whether the charge was, or is, subsequently
276 reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance agreement.
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278 Section 76-9-301 , Section 76-9-301.5 , or Subsection 76-9-301.1 (4) within the state and on at
279 least one previous occasion has been convicted of violating Section 76-9-301 , Section
280 76-9-301.5 , or Subsection 76-9-301.1 (4) shall be subject to an enhanced penalty as provided in
281 Subsection (3).
282 (3) The enhanced degree of offense for offenses committed under this section are:
283 (a) if the offense is a class C misdemeanor, it is a class B misdemeanor; and
284 (b) if the offense is a class B misdemeanor, it is a class A misdemeanor.
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296 (4) The penalty enhancements described in this section do not apply to a conviction for
297 the offense described in Subsection 76-9-301 (6).
298 Section 6. Section 76-10-1602 is amended to read:
299 76-10-1602. Definitions.
300 As used in this part:
301 (1) "Enterprise" means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation,
302 business trust, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals
303 associated in fact although not a legal entity, and includes illicit as well as licit entities.
304 (2) "Pattern of unlawful activity" means engaging in conduct which constitutes the
305 commission of at least three episodes of unlawful activity, which episodes are not isolated, but
306 have the same or similar purposes, results, participants, victims, or methods of commission, or
307 otherwise are interrelated by distinguishing characteristics. Taken together, the episodes shall
308 demonstrate continuing unlawful conduct and be related either to each other or to the
309 enterprise. At least one of the episodes comprising a pattern of unlawful activity shall have
310 occurred after July 31, 1981. The most recent act constituting part of a pattern of unlawful
311 activity as defined by this part shall have occurred within five years of the commission of the
312 next preceding act alleged as part of the pattern.
313 (3) "Person" includes any individual or entity capable of holding a legal or beneficial
314 interest in property, including state, county, and local governmental entities.
315 (4) "Unlawful activity" means to directly engage in conduct or to solicit, request,
316 command, encourage, or intentionally aid another person to engage in conduct which would
317 constitute any offense described by the following crimes or categories of crimes, or to attempt
318 or conspire to engage in an act which would constitute any of those offenses, regardless of
319 whether the act is in fact charged or indicted by any authority or is classified as a misdemeanor
320 or a felony:
321 (a) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 13, Chapter 10, Unauthorized
322 Recording Practices Act;
323 (b) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 19, Environmental Quality
324 Code, Sections 19-1-101 through 19-7-109 ;
325 (c) taking, destroying, or possessing wildlife or parts of wildlife for the primary purpose
326 of sale, trade, or other pecuniary gain, in violation of Title 23, [
327 Code of Utah, or Section 23-20-4 ;
328 (d) false claims for medical benefits, kickbacks, and any other act prohibited by Title 26,
329 Chapter 20, Utah False Claims Act, Sections 26-20-1 through 26-20-12 ;
330 (e) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 32A, Chapter 12, Criminal
331 Offenses;
332 (f) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 57, Chapter 11, Utah Uniform
333 Land Sales Practices Act;
334 (g) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 58, Chapter 37, Utah
335 Controlled Substances Act, or Title 58, Chapter 37b, Imitation Controlled Substances Act, Title
336 58, Chapter 37c, Utah Controlled Substance Precursor Act, or Title 58, Chapter 37d,
337 Clandestine Drug Lab Act;
338 (h) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 61, Chapter 1, Utah Uniform
339 Securities Act;
340 (i) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 63, Chapter 56, Utah
341 Procurement Code;
342 (j) assault or aggravated assault, Sections 76-5-102 and 76-5-103 ;
343 (k) a terroristic threat, Section 76-5-107 ;
344 (l) criminal homicide, Sections 76-5-201 , 76-5-202 , and 76-5-203 ;
345 (m) kidnapping or aggravated kidnapping, Sections 76-5-301 and 76-5-302 ;
346 (n) sexual exploitation of a minor, Section 76-5a-3 ;
347 (o) arson or aggravated arson, Sections 76-6-102 and 76-6-103 ;
348 (p) causing a catastrophe, Section 76-6-105 ;
349 (q) burglary or aggravated burglary, Sections 76-6-202 and 76-6-203 ;
350 (r) burglary of a vehicle, Section 76-6-204 ;
351 (s) manufacture or possession of an instrument for burglary or theft, Section 76-6-205 ;
352 (t) robbery or aggravated robbery, Sections 76-6-301 and 76-6-302 ;
353 (u) theft, Section 76-6-404 ;
354 (v) theft by deception, Section 76-6-405 ;
355 (w) theft by extortion, Section 76-6-406 ;
356 (x) receiving stolen property, Section 76-6-408 ;
357 (y) theft of services, Section 76-6-409 ;
358 (z) forgery, Section 76-6-501 ;
359 (aa) fraudulent use of a credit card, Sections 76-6-506.1 , 76-6-506.2 , and 76-6-506.4 ;
360 (bb) deceptive business practices, Section 76-6-507 ;
361 (cc) bribery or receiving bribe by person in the business of selection, appraisal, or
362 criticism of goods, Section 76-6-508 ;
363 (dd) bribery of a labor official, Section 76-6-509 ;
364 (ee) defrauding creditors, Section 76-6-511 ;
365 (ff) acceptance of deposit by insolvent financial institution, Section 76-6-512 ;
366 (gg) unlawful dealing with property by fiduciary, Section 76-6-513 ;
367 (hh) bribery or threat to influence contest, Section 76-6-514 ;
368 (ii) making a false credit report, Section 76-6-517 ;
369 (jj) criminal simulation, Section 76-6-518 ;
370 (kk) criminal usury, Section 76-6-520 ;
371 (ll) fraudulent insurance act, Section 76-6-521 ;
372 (mm) retail theft, Section 76-6-602 ;
373 (nn) computer crimes, Section 76-6-703 ;
374 (oo) identity fraud, Section 76-6-1102 ;
375 (pp) sale of a child, Section 76-7-203 ;
376 (qq) bribery to influence official or political actions, Section 76-8-103 ;
377 (rr) threats to influence official or political action, Section 76-8-104 ;
378 (ss) receiving bribe or bribery by public servant, Section 76-8-105 ;
379 (tt) receiving bribe or bribery for endorsement of person as public servant, Section
380 76-8-106 ;
381 (uu) official misconduct, Sections 76-8-201 and 76-8-202 ;
382 (vv) obstruction of justice, Section 76-8-306 ;
383 (ww) acceptance of bribe or bribery to prevent criminal prosecution, Section 76-8-308 ;
384 (xx) false or inconsistent material statements, Section 76-8-502 ;
385 (yy) false or inconsistent statements, Section 76-8-503 ;
386 (zz) written false statements, Section 76-8-504 ;
387 (aaa) tampering with a witness or soliciting or receiving a bribe, Section 76-8-508 ;
388 (bbb) retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant, Section 76-8-508.3 ;
389 (ccc) extortion or bribery to dismiss criminal proceeding, Section 76-8-509 ;
390 (ddd) public assistance fraud in violation of Section 76-8-1203 , 76-8-1204 , or
391 76-8-1205 ;
392 (eee) unemployment insurance fraud, Section 76-8-1301 ;
393 (fff) intentionally or knowingly causing one animal to fight with another, Subsection
394 76-9-301 [
395 (ggg) possession, use, or removal of explosives, chemical, or incendiary devices or
396 parts, Section 76-10-306 ;
397 (hhh) delivery to common carrier, mailing, or placement on premises of an incendiary
398 device, Section 76-10-307 ;
399 (iii) possession of a deadly weapon with intent to assault, Section 76-10-507 ;
400 (jjj) unlawful marking of pistol or revolver, Section 76-10-521 ;
401 (kkk) alteration of number or mark on pistol or revolver, Section 76-10-522 ;
402 (lll) forging or counterfeiting trademarks, trade name, or trade device, Section
403 76-10-1002 ;
404 (mmm) selling goods under counterfeited trademark, trade name, or trade devices,
405 Section 76-10-1003 ;
406 (nnn) sales in containers bearing registered trademark of substituted articles, Section
407 76-10-1004 ;
408 (ooo) selling or dealing with article bearing registered trademark or service mark with
409 intent to defraud, Section 76-10-1006 ;
410 (ppp) gambling, Section 76-10-1102 ;
411 (qqq) gambling fraud, Section 76-10-1103 ;
412 (rrr) gambling promotion, Section 76-10-1104 ;
413 (sss) possessing a gambling device or record, Section 76-10-1105 ;
414 (ttt) confidence game, Section 76-10-1109 ;
415 (uuu) distributing pornographic material, Section 76-10-1204 ;
416 (vvv) inducing acceptance of pornographic material, Section 76-10-1205 ;
417 (www) dealing in harmful material to a minor, Section 76-10-1206 ;
418 (xxx) distribution of pornographic films, Section 76-10-1222 ;
419 (yyy) indecent public displays, Section 76-10-1228 ;
420 (zzz) prostitution, Section 76-10-1302 ;
421 (aaaa) aiding prostitution, Section 76-10-1304 ;
422 (bbbb) exploiting prostitution, Section 76-10-1305 ;
423 (cccc) aggravated exploitation of prostitution, Section 76-10-1306 ;
424 (dddd) communications fraud, Section 76-10-1801 ;
425 (eeee) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of Title 76, Chapter 10, Part 19,
426 Money Laundering and Currency Transaction Reporting Act;
427 (ffff) any act prohibited by the criminal provisions of the laws governing taxation in this
428 state; and
429 (gggg) any act illegal under the laws of the United States and enumerated in Title 18,
430 Section 1961 (1)(B), (C), and (D) of the United States Code.
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