(a) Whoever, having knowledge of the actual commission of a crime, takes money or property of another or any gratuity or reward, or an engagement or promise therefor, upon any agreement or understanding, express or implied, to compound or conceal such crime, or a violation of this title or other law, or to abstain from, discontinue, or delay, a prosecution therefor, or to withhold any evidence thereof, except in a case provided for by law in which the crime may be compromised by leave of court, shall be imprisoned not more than—
(1) five years, where the agreement or undertaking relates to a crime punishable by life imprisonment; or
(2) three years, where the agreement or understanding relates to any other felony; or
(3) ninety days or fined not more than $100, or both, where the agreement or understanding relates to a misdemeanor.
(b) An information may be filed against a person described in this section, although the person guilty of the original crime has not been presented or tried.