(a) No person shall destroy, damage, remove, or transfer property that is subject to forfeiture or otherwise take any action in regard to property that is subject to forfeiture with purpose to do any of the following:
(1) Prevent or impair the State’s or political subdivision’s lawful authority to take the property into its custody or control under Ohio R.C. Chapter 2981 or to continue holding the property under its lawful custody or control;
(2) Impair or defeat the court’s continuing jurisdiction over the person and property;
(3) Devalue property that the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is subject to forfeiture proceedings under Ohio R.C. Chapter 2981.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of interference with or diminishing forfeitable property. Except as otherwise provided in this division (b), interference with or diminishing forfeitable property is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the value of the property is one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or more, interference with or diminishing forfeitable property is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(ORC 2981.07)