In this section, “electric company” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities Article. This section does not apply to: an employee of or a person authorized by an electric company; and supervision and control of an electric company and its material, equipment, or facilities by the political subdivision within which the electric company is doing business. A person may not willfully: tamper or interfere with the material, equipment, or facilities of an electric company; make a connection with an electrical conductor to use the electricity; or tamper with a meter used to register electricity consumed. Prima facie evidence of intent to violate this section by a person who uses or directly benefits from the use or diversion of electricity includes: a connection, wire, conductor, meter alteration, or other device that diverts electricity without the electric current being registered by the meter installed by the electric company that supplies the electricity; the use of electricity supplied by an electric company without the electricity being registered on a meter that the electric company supplied; and a showing by a check or test meter used by the electric company that a customer uses more electricity than is registered on the meter that the electric company supplied for the customer’s premises. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.