Criminal tampering in the first degree.

(a) A person commits the crime of criminal tampering in the first degree if the person does any of the following:

(1) Having no right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe that he or she has such a right, intentionally causes substantial interruption or impairment of a service rendered to the public by a utility.

(2) Threatens an individual with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument with the intent to obstruct the operation of a utility. This subdivision only applies if the individual is working under the procedures and within the scope of his or her duties as an employee of the utility and has properly identified himself or herself when asked by stating his or her name, employer, and purpose of work.

(b) Criminal tampering in the first degree is a Class C felony.

(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §2711; Act 2013-74, p. 155,§1.)