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 Arkansas, extortion is defined as the act of obtaining property, money, or any advantage by force or threat, including threats of violence, accusations of a crime, or exposure of damaging information. This crime is covered under Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-36-103, which classifies extortion as a Class B felony if the value of the property or advantage sought or obtained is $1,000 or more, and as a Class C felony if the value is less than $1,000. Penalties for a Class B felony can include a prison sentence of 5 to 20 years and a fine of up to $15,000, while a Class C felony can result in a prison sentence of 3 to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized under 18 U.S.C. § 872 to 18 U.S.C. § 876, which can involve separate penalties and is typically prosecuted when the offense involves interstate or foreign commerce or is committed against a federal official.