---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1652"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1652"
heading: "Citizens as pirates"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1652"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 81 — Piracy and Privateering"
---

# §1652. Citizens as pirates


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being a citizen of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), commits any murder or robbery, or any act of hostility against the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or against any citizen thereof, on the high seas, under color of any commission from any foreign prince, or [state](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), or on pretense of authority from any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5), is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned for life.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 774.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 495 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 304, 35 Stat. 1147).

Words “Notwithstanding the pretense of such authority,” were omitted as surplusage.