---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1381"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1381"
heading: "Enticing desertion and harboring deserters"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1381"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 67 — Military and Navy"
---

# §1381. Enticing desertion and harboring deserters


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) entices or procures, or attempts or endeavors to entice or procure any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) in the Armed Forces of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or who has been recruited for service therein, to desert therefrom, or aids any such [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) in deserting or in attempting to desert from such service; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) harbors, conceals, protects, or assists any such [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) who may have deserted from such service, knowing him to have deserted therefrom, or refuses to give up and deliver such [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) on the demand of any [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) authorized to receive him—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(I), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 94 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 42, 35 Stat. 1097).

Mandatory punishment provisions were changed to alternative.

Words “armed forces” were substituted for repeated references to military service, naval service, soldier and seamen.

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $2,000” in last par.