17 M.R.S. §1665: Negotiation of bill when not in carrier's possession

Any person who, with intent to deceive, negotiates or transfers for value a bill knowing that any or all of the goods which by the terms of such bill appear to have been received for transportation by the carrier which issued the bill are not in the possession or control of such carrier, or of a connecting carrier, without disclosing this fact, shall be guilty of a crime, and upon conviction shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or by both.