2005 Minnesota Statutes - 609.529 — Mail theft.

     609.529 Mail theft. 


    Subdivision 1.    Definitions.  (a) As used in this 
 section, the following terms have the meanings given them in 
 this subdivision. 


    (b) "Mail" means a letter, postal card, package, bag, or 
 other sealed article addressed to another. 


    (c) "Mail depository" means a mail box, letter box, or mail 
 receptacle; a post office or station of a post office; a mail 
 route; or a postal service vehicle. 


    Subd. 2.    Crime.  Whoever does any of the following is 
 guilty of mail theft and may be sentenced as provided in 
 subdivision 3: 


    (1) intentionally and without claim of right removes mail 
 from a mail depository; 


    (2) intentionally and without claim of right takes mail 
 from a mail carrier; 


    (3) obtains custody of mail by intentionally deceiving a 
 mail carrier, or other person who rightfully possesses or 
 controls the mail, with a false representation which is known to 
 be false, made with intent to deceive and which does deceive a 
 mail carrier or other person who possesses or controls the mail; 


    (4) intentionally and without claim of right removes the 
 contents of mail addressed to another; 


    (5) intentionally and without claim of right takes mail, or 
 the contents of mail, that has been left for collection on or 
 near a mail depository; or 


    (6) receives, possesses, transfers, buys, or conceals mail 
 obtained by acts described in clauses (1) to (5), knowing or 
 having reason to know the mail was obtained illegally. 


    Subd. 3.    Penalties.  A person convicted under 
 subdivision 2 may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 
 three years or to a payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, 
 or both. 


    Subd. 4.    Venue.  Notwithstanding anything to the 
 contrary in section 627.01, an offense committed under 
 subdivision 2 may be prosecuted in: 


    (1) the county where the offense occurred; or 


    (2) the county of residence or place of business of the 
 direct victim or indirect victim. 


    HIST: 2003 c 106 s 4