A person having possession of a major motor vehicle component part or a motor vehicle of which a manufacturer's part number, an identification number required by section 2 of this act, or a number assigned by the division under section 3 of this act, has been destroyed, removed, altered, defaced or so covered as to be concealed is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Upon prosecution under this section lack of knowledge of the condition of the number of the vehicle or part shall constitute a defense; but possession shall be prima facie evidence that the defendant had knowledge of the condition, and the burden of proof shall be upon him that he had no knowledge.
N.J.S. § 39:10B-4