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 Oklahoma, extortion is defined under state law as the unlawful obtaining of money, property, or anything of value, or any acquittance or advantage, by the use of force, fear, or threats. This includes threats of violence, accusations of a crime, exposure of a secret or asserted fact that may subject a person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule, or to impair their credit or business. Extortion is considered a felony in Oklahoma and is punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both, depending on the severity of the offense and the value of the money or property extorted. The specific statutes governing extortion in Oklahoma can be found in the Oklahoma Statutes, Title 21, Sections 1481 to 1488. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized under 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876, which also covers threats against individuals, communication of threats, and ransom demands. The federal statutes apply to acts of extortion that involve interstate or foreign commerce, including threats communicated over phone lines or through the mail. Penalties for federal extortion offenses may include fines and imprisonment, and the severity of the punishment can vary based on the circumstances of the crime.