Blackmail is the threatening, coercive act of demanding payment or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them—with the threat often being to reveal the information to the victim’s friends, family, or business associates. Blackmail (sometimes referred to as the crime of coercion or extortion) is a criminal offense in most states—whether the information is true or false.

The definition and penalties for the crime of blackmail vary from state to state—in some states blackmail is part of the criminal offense of extortion, and in some states blackmail and extortion are separate criminal offenses. The crime of blackmail may be prosecuted as a felony in some states—with potential prison time—or as a misdemeanor eligible for probation. The criminal offense of blackmail, coercion, or extortion is usually located in a state’s penal or criminal code (statutes).

Blackmail is also a federal crime when the threat is to report or testify against someone regarding an alleged violation of federal law (tax evasion, for example), coupled with a demand for money or something else of value in return for the blackmailer not reporting or testifying regarding the alleged violation of federal law.

In Missouri, blackmail is considered a form of extortion, which is a criminal offense under state law. Extortion occurs when a person unlawfully obtains money, property, or any other thing of value from another by threatening or coercing the victim into giving it up. This can include threats to reveal damaging or compromising information about someone unless they are paid or provided with some benefit. Missouri statutes classify extortion as a felony, which means that individuals convicted of this crime can face significant penalties, including potential prison time. The specific statutes governing extortion and related offenses can be found in the Missouri Revised Statutes, particularly under the sections dealing with theft and stealing (§570.030). Additionally, if the act of blackmail involves the threat to report or testify about federal law violations, it may also be prosecuted as a federal crime, which can lead to even more severe penalties.