SECTION 16-23-730. device or replica of destructive device or detonator; manufacture, SECTION 16-23-730. device or replica of destructive device or detonator; manufacture, 16-23-730. possession or transport of; threat to use; penalties.

A person who knowingly manufactures, possesses, transports, distributes, uses or aids, or counsels, solicits another, or conspires with another in the use of a hoax device or replica of a destructive device or detonator which causes any person reasonably to believe that the hoax device or replica is a destructive device or detonator is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both. A person who communicates or transmits to another person that a hoax device or replica is a destructive device or detonator with the intent to intimidate or threaten injury, to obtain property of another, or to interfere with the ability of another person to conduct or carry on his life, business, trade, education, religious worship, or to interfere with the operations and functions of any government entity is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not less than two years nor more than fifteen years.

SECTION 16-23-740. explosive ordinance technician or law enforcement official while SECTION 16-23-740. explosive ordinance technician or law enforcement official while 16-23-740. detecting or disarming destructive device; penalty.

A person who knowingly and wilfully hinders or obstructs an explosive ordnance technician, bomb technician, law enforcement officer, fire official, emergency management official, public safety officer, animal trained to detect destructive devices, or any robot or mechanical device designed for or utilized by a law enforcement officer, fire official, emergency management official, public safety officer, or bomb technician of this State or of the United States while in the detection, disarming, or destruction of a destructive device is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than five years.

SECTION 16-23-750. false information regarding attempted use of a destructive device; SECTION 16-23-750. false information regarding attempted use of a destructive device; 16-23-750. aiding or conspiring; penalty.

A person who conveys or causes to be conveyed false information, knowing the information to be false, concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to kill, injure, or intimidate any person or to damage or destroy any building or other real or personal property by means of an explosive, incendiary, or destructive device or who aids, employs, or conspires with any person to do or cause to be done any of the acts in this section, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than ten years. For a second or subsequent offense, the person must be imprisoned for not less than five years nor more than fifteen years. A sentence imposed for a violation of this section must not be suspended and probation must not be granted.

SECTION 16-23-760. of photographic evidence of destructive devices; custody of inert SECTION 16-23-760. of photographic evidence of destructive devices; custody of inert 16-23-760. devices introduced into evidence.

(A) Unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, photographs, electronic imaging, video tapes, or other identification or analysis of a destructive device, explosive, incendiary, poisonous gas, toxic substance, whether chemical, biological, or nuclear material, or detonator identified by a qualified bomb technician or person qualified as a forensic expert in the field of destructive devices is admissible in any civil or criminal trial in lieu of production of the actual destructive device or detonator. Evidence transferred to the clerk of court by a qualified bomb technician for safekeeping must not be destroyed except pursuant to a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. (B) If a destructive device, explosive, incendiary, poisonous gas, toxic substance, whether chemical, biological, or nuclear material, or detonator that has been rendered inert and safe is introduced into evidence in any criminal or civil trial, the clerk of court may retain custody or transfer custody of the