Whew, maybe I should go back to sleep!
Seriously, let me try to contribute something to this discussion (?). The United States Code (that is, the law) gives Federal agencies the power to issue regulations. Properly promulgated regulations (see the Administrative Procedure Act for details) have the force of law. You won't find these regulations in the USC but, rather, in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). It's available on the web. And you certainly can go to prison for violating a regulation. It happens every day.
I had a lot to do with issuing regulations when I was a Fed (1979-88). Anyone who wants to know more can e-mail me.
Bruce