Whoever knowingly ... destroys ... any record ... or tangible object
with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence
the investigation or proper administration of any matter ... or any case
or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter or case,
filed under title 11,
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
Wiping your phone at the border while relevant authority is searching for information under proper administration would constitute a violation.
OTOH, he did not wipe the phone himself, nor did he declare that entering a passcode would not wipe the phone but led the administration to wipe the phone. That is like setting up a booby trap that when a file drawer is opened, it would burn up, and the only way to open it would be through a side door.
OTOH, he did not wipe the phone himself, nor did he declare that entering a passcode would not wipe the phone but led the administration to wipe the phone. That is like setting up a booby trap that when a file drawer is opened, it would burn up, and the only way to open it would be through a side door.