18 U.S.C. § 875 – Interstate Communications Involving Threats or Extortion
Criminalizes the use of interstate or foreign communications to transmit threats, ransom demands, or extortionate messages.
This statute covers a range of offenses involving threats or demands communicated across state or national lines, including ransom demands, threats of violence, and extortion schemes.
What the law prohibits.
A person may be charged under this statute if they transmit, in interstate or foreign commerce, a communication that includes:
- A demand or request for ransom or reward for the release of a kidnapped person
- A threat to kidnap or injure another person with intent to extort money or something of value
- A threat to kidnap or injure another person, even without an extortion demand
- A threat to injure property or reputation, or to accuse someone of a crime, with intent to extort
Penalties.
Penalties vary by subsection:
- Ransom demands for kidnapped persons: up to 20 years in prison
- Threats to kidnap or injure with intent to extort: up to 20 years in prison
- Threats to kidnap or injure without extortion intent: up to 5 years in prison
- Extortionate threats involving property, reputation, or criminal accusations: up to 2 years in prison
All violations may also include fines under this title.
If you are facing charges related to interstate threat or extortion communications, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our federal criminal defense attorneys to discuss next steps.
