812.145 Theft of copper or other nonferrous metals. - Florida Statutes

812.145 Theft of copper or other nonferrous metals.

   (1) As used in this section, the terms:

   (a) “Communications services” means the transmission, conveyance, or routing of voice, data, audio, video, or any other information or signals, including cable services, to a point, or between or among points, by or through any electronic, radio, satellite, cable, optical, microwave, or other medium or method now in existence or hereafter devised, regardless of the protocol used for such transmission or conveyance. The term includes such transmission, conveyance, or routing in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, code, or protocol of the content for purposes of transmission, conveyance, or routing without regard to whether such service is referred to as voice-over-Internet-protocol services or is classified by the Federal Communications Commission as enhanced or value-added.

   (b) “Communications services provider” includes any person, firm, corporation, or political subdivision, whether private, municipal, county, or cooperative, which is engaged in the sale, generation, provision, or delivery of communications services.

   (c) “Copper or other nonferrous metals” means metals not containing significant quantities of iron or steel, including, without limitation, copper, copper alloy, copper utility or communications service wire, brass, aluminum, bronze, lead, zinc, nickel, and alloys thereof.

   (d) “Utility” includes any person, firm, corporation, association, or political subdivision, whether private, municipal, county, or cooperative, which is engaged in the sale, generation, provision, or delivery of gas or electricity services.

   (e) “Utility service” means electricity for light, heat, or power and natural or manufactured gas for light, heat, or power, including the transportation, delivery, transmission, and distribution of electricity or natural or manufactured gas.

   (2) A person who knowingly and intentionally takes copper or other nonferrous metals from a utility or communications services provider, thereby causing damage to the facilities of a utility or communications services provider, interrupting or interfering with utility service or communications services, or interfering with the ability of a utility or communications services provider to provide service, commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History. s. 1, ch. 2008-195.