Extortion is the threatening, coercive act of demanding payment, favorable government action from a public official, or another benefit from someone in return for not doing violent, physical harm or injury to the victim or his property, or revealing compromising or damaging information about the victim (whether it is true or false), or causing unfavorable government action against the victim or his interests. Extortion (sometimes referred to as the crime of coercion or blackmail) is a criminal offense in all states and under federal law.

Extortion can occur in person, by telephone, by U.S. mail, by e-mail, by text message, through social media, or by other means of communication.

The definition and penalties for the crime of extortion 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 extortion may be prosecuted as a felony in some states—with potential prison time—or as a misdemeanor eligible for probation. The crime of extortion is usually located in a state’s statutes. And extortion is also a crime under federal law. See 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876.

In Alaska, extortion is defined under Alaska Statutes § 11.41.520 as 'Blackmail.' According to state law, a person commits the crime of blackmail if they threaten to expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule, or to impair the person's credit or business, with the intent to obtain money, property, services, or any other benefit. This crime is considered a class B felony, which can result in significant penalties, including imprisonment. The specific nature of the threat, such as causing physical harm, damaging property, or influencing government action, can also be relevant to other criminal charges. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized by 18 U.S.C. § 872, which prohibits individuals from unlawfully demanding or receiving money or other items of value by the use of threats. Federal penalties for extortion can include fines and imprisonment. It's important to note that the exact charges and penalties can vary based on the circumstances of the case, and an attorney can provide more detailed information on how the law might apply to a specific situation.