(a) No person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, mutilate, injure, knock down, destroy, or remove any official highway traffic-control device, road marker, lighting equipment, or any railroad crossing sign or signal, or any inscription, shield, or transcription thereon or any part thereof.
(b)
(1) It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Every person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished for:
(A) A first conviction by a fine not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) or by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) days;
(B) A second conviction by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or by both fine and imprisonment; or
(C) A third or subsequent conviction by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or by both fine and imprisonment.
(c) There is posted a standing reward of ten dollars ($10.00) to be paid by the State Highway Commission from any funds appropriated for maintenance purposes for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person willfully or maliciously violating any provision of this section with respect to official signs upon the state highway system.