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Criminal Resource Manual

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Criminal Resource Manual
CRM 1000-1499

1301. Motor Vehicle And Aircraft Theft -- Legislative History

The Dyer Act, which made auto theft a federal crime, was enacted by Congress on October 29, 1919. See Chapter 89, 41 Stat. 324. In 1945, aircraft were added to the statute. See Chapter 383, 59 Stat. 536. In 1984, the federal jurisdictional basis in 18 U.S.C. § 2313 was altered by Section 203 of the Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984, Pub.L. No. 98-547, 98 Stat. 2754 (1984). The former language in 18 U.S.C. § 2313 of "moving as, or which is a part of, or which constitutes interstate or foreign commerce" was stricken and inserted in lieu thereof was "which has crossed a State or United States boundary after being stolen." The 1984 amendment also added to 18 U.S.C. § 2313 the offense of possession. See this Manual at 1305. Violations of 18 U.S.C. §§  2312 and 2313 are predicate offenses for RICO (18 U.S.C. § 1961 et seq.) and the wiretap statute (18 U.S.C. § 2516).

[cited in JM 9-61.100]