Obstruction of Justice — Witness Tampering Through Physical Force or Threat of Physical Force (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1512(a)(2)(A) or (B)) -revised 11/2013, is a federal crime that involves the use of physical force or the threat of physical force to influence or dissuade a witness from providing testimony or evidence in a federal investigation or trial. This type of obstruction of justice is a felony offense under federal law and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine. There are two types of obstruction of justice — witness tampering through physical force or threat of physical force (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1512(a)(2)(A) or (B)) -revised 11/2013. The first type is when a person uses physical force to influence or threaten a witness to prevent them from testifying or providing evidence. The second type is when a person threatens the use of physical force to influence or dissuade a witness from providing testimony or evidence in a federal investigation or trial.