(A) It is unlawful for a person engaged in the business of buying cotton, corn, rice, or similar commodities, either on his own account or for others, to buy commodities from a planter, commission merchant, or any other person for cash and fail or refuse to pay for it and make away with or dispose of it before he has paid for it.

(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:

(1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, if the sale amount of the commodities is ten thousand dollars or more;

(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, if the sale amount of the commodities is more than two thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars;

(3) misdemeanor triable in magistrates court or municipal court, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, 22-3-550, and 14-25-65, if the sale amount of the commodities is two thousand dollars or less. Upon conviction, the person must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 3-49; 1952 Code Section 3-49; 1942 Code Section 1282; 1932 Code Section 1282; Cr. C. '22 Section 177; Cr. C. '12 Section 457; Cr. C. '02 Section 344; G. S. 2521; R. S. 283; 1877 (16) 250; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 124, eff January 1, 1994; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 16.E.E, eff June 2, 2010.