It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly remove or render inoperative, a catalytic converter installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine in compliance with federal regulations prior to or after its sale and delivery to the ultimate purchaser, except that a defective catalytic converter may be replaced with another device originally manufactured for use as a catalytic converter. Any person who violates this section shall be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for each offense.