Any person, copartnership, trust, association or corporation and the several members, beneficiaries, officers, directors, agents and employees thereof who violate or participate in the violation of any provision of the New Mexico Small Loan Act of 1955 are guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment of not more than six months or both in the discretion of the court.