If any person shall falsely or fraudulently procure a warrant to be issued by a justice, under section one of this chapter, for the appraisement of anything as an estray or drift property which is not such; or shall secrete any such estray or property, or alter or change the appearance thereof, or the marks thereon, with intent to hinder or delay the owner thereof in reclaiming the same, or to render the identification of such estray or property difficult, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, be fined not less than ten, nor more than $500; and shall, moreover, be liable to the owner for double the value of such estray or property.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 34. Estrays, Drift and Derelict Property
Article 1. Estrays and Drift Property
§34-1-1. Taking Up Estray or Boat
§34-1-2. Recordation and Posting of Certificate
§34-1-3. Effect of Failure of Owner to Claim
§34-1-5. Liability for Death or Loss
§34-1-6. Drift Property -- Rights of Person Taking Up
§34-1-7. Same -- Rights of Owner
§34-1-9. Liability for False Claim; Acts Intended to Hinder or Delay Owner in Reclaiming Property
§34-1-11. Taking Up Timber Adrift in Certain Rivers; Compensation; Sale