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A.  No person shall cover, remove, deface, alter, or destroy the manufacturer’s number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark on any motor vehicle, motor vehicle part, semi-trailer, or trailer as defined by La. Rev. Stat. 32:1 for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting its identity; nor shall any person buy, sell, receive, dispose of, conceal, or knowingly have in his possession any motor vehicle, motor vehicle part, semi-trailer, or trailer as defined by La. Rev. Stat. 32:1 from or on which the manufacturer’s number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark has been covered, removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting its identity.

B.(1)  Whoever violates this Section shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than twenty-four months, or both, and, in default of fine, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than twelve months additional.

(2)  On conviction of a second offense, the offender shall be fined not more than four thousand dollars, or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than forty-eight months, or both.

(3)  On conviction of a third or subsequent offense, the offender shall be fined five thousand dollars and imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than thirty-six months nor more than sixty months.

C.  This Section shall apply to all vehicles propelled otherwise than by muscular power, except motor vehicles running upon rails or tracks.

Acts 1989, No. 537, §1; Acts 2008, No. 148, §1; Acts 2010, No. 389, §1.