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18 USC Ch. 41: EXTORTION AND THREATS

From Title 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I—CRIMES

CHAPTER 41—EXTORTION AND THREATS

Sec.
871. Threats against President and successors to the Presidency.
872. Extortion by officers or employees of the United States.
873. Blackmail.
874. Kickbacks from public works employees.
875. Interstate communications.
876. Mailing threatening communications.
877. Mailing threatening communications from foreign country.
878. Threats and extortion against foreign officials, official guests, or internationally protected persons.
879. Threats against former Presidents and certain other persons.
880. Receiving the proceeds of extortion.

AMENDMENTS
2000—Pub. L. 106–544, §2(b)(2), Dec. 19, 2000, 114 Stat. 2715, struck out "protected by the Secret
Service" after "other persons" in item 879.
1994—Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXII, §320601(a)(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2115, added item 880.
1982—Pub. L. 97–297, §1(b), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1317, added item 879.
1976—Pub. L. 94–467, §9, Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 2001, added item 878.
1962—Pub. L. 87–829, §2, Oct. 15, 1962, 76 Stat. 956, substituted "and successors to the Presidency" for
", President-elect, and Vice President" in item 871.
1955—Act June 1, 1955, ch. 115, §2, 69 Stat. 80, inserted "President-elect, and Vice President" in item
871.

§871. Threats against President and successors to the Presidency

(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by
any letter carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of, to
kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-elect, the Vice President or other
officer next in the order of succession to the office of President of the United States, or the Vice President-elect, or
knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against the President, President-elect, Vice President or other
officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(b) The terms "President-elect" and "Vice President-elect" as used in this section shall mean such persons as are
the apparent successful candidates for the offices of President and Vice President, respectively, as ascertained from
the results of the general elections held to determine the electors of President and Vice President in accordance with
title 3, United States Code, sections 1 and 2. The phrase "other officer next in the order of succession to the office of
President" as used in this section shall mean the person next in the order of succession to act as President in
accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 19 and 20.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 740; June 1, 1955, ch. 115, §1, 69 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 87–829, §1, Oct. 15, 1962, 76
Stat. 956; Pub. L. 97–297, §2, Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1318; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), Sept. 13,
1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §89 (Feb. 14, 1917, ch. 64, 39 Stat. 919).
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of
"principal" in section 2 of this title.
Minor changes were made in phraseology.
AMENDMENTS
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $1,000".

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1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–297 inserted ", to kidnap," after "containing any threat to take the life of".
1962—Pub. L. 87–829 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), extended the provisions of such
subsection to include any other officer next on the order of succession to the office of President and the
Vice-President-elect, added subsec. (b), and substituted "and successors to the Presidency" for
", President-elect, and Vice President" in section catchline.
1955—Act June 1, 1955, included in section catchline and in text, provision for penalties for threats
against the President-elect and the Vice President.
SHORT TITLE OF 2000 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 106–544, §1, Dec. 19, 2000, 114 Stat. 2715, provided that: "This Act [amending sections 879, 3056
and 3486 of this title, repealing section 3486A of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under
section 3056 of this title, section 551 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and section 566 of
Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure] may be cited as the 'Presidential Threat Protection Act of
2000'."

§872. Extortion by officers or employees of the United States

Whoever, being an officer, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof, or representing
himself to be or assuming to act as such, under color or pretense of office or employment commits or attempts an act
of extortion, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both; but if the amount so
extorted or demanded does not exceed $1,000, he shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year,
or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 740; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 655, §24(b), 65 Stat. 720; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII,
§330016(1)(G), (K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §606(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3511.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §171 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §85, 35 Stat. 1104).
Words "or any department or agency" were inserted to eliminate any possible ambiguity as to scope of
section. (See definitive section 6 of this title.)
The punishment provided by section 171 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., of fine of not more than $500 or
imprisonment of not more than 1 year, or both, was increased for offenses involving more than $100 to
conform to Congressional policy reflected in later Acts. See section 4047(e)(1) of title 26, U.S.C., 1940 ed.,
Internal Revenue Code, and the punishment provision following paragraph (10) of said subsection.
AMENDMENTS
1996—Pub. L. 104–294 substituted "$1,000" for "$100".
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000" after
"extortion, shall be" and for "fined not more than $500" after "he shall be".
1951—Act Oct. 31, 1951, changed punctuation to make section applicable not only to persons falsely
representing themselves as Federal officers or employees at the time of extortion or the attempt thereof,
but also to Federal officers and employees who attempt or commit extortion under color of office or
employment.

§873. Blackmail
Whoever, under a threat of informing, or as a consideration for not informing, against any violation of any law of the
United States, demands or receives any money or other valuable thing, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not
more than one year, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 740; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(I), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based upon title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §250 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §145, 35 Stat. 1114).
Only minor changes were made in phraseology.
AMENDMENTS
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $2,000".

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§874. Kickbacks from public works employees

Whoever, by force, intimidation, or threat of procuring dismissal from employment, or by any other manner
whatsoever induces any person employed in the construction, prosecution, completion or repair of any public building,
public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part by loans or grants from the United States, to give up any
part of the compensation to which he is entitled under his contract of employment, shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 740; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on section 276b of title 40, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Public Buildings, Property, and Works (June 13,
1934, ch. 482, §1, 48 Stat. 948).
Slight changes of phraseology were made.
AMENDMENTS
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000".

§875. Interstate communications

(a) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any demand or request for a
ransom or reward for the release of any kidnapped person, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than
twenty years, or both.
(b) Whoever, with intent to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of
value, transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or
any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or
both.
(c) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any
person or any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five
years, or both.
(d) Whoever, with intent to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of
value, transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to injure the property or
reputation of the addressee or of another or the reputation of a deceased person or any threat to accuse the
addressee or any other person of a crime, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 741; Pub. L. 99–646, §63, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3614; Pub. L. 103–322, title
XXXIII, §330016(1)(G), (H), (K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §408d (May 18, 1934, ch. 300, 48 Stat. 781; May 15, 1939, ch. 133,
§2, 53 Stat. 743).
Provisions as to district of trial were omitted as covered by sections 3237 and 3239 of this title.
Definition of "interstate commerce" was omitted in conformity with definitive section 10 of this title.
Changes were made in phraseology and arrangement.
AMENDMENTS
1994—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(K), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not
more than $5,000".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(H), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than
$1,000".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(G), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than
$500".
1986—Pub. L. 99–646 inserted "or foreign" after "interstate" wherever appearing.

§876. Mailing threatening communications

(a) Whoever knowingly deposits in any post office or authorized depository for mail matter, to be sent or delivered by
the Postal Service or knowingly causes to be delivered by the Postal Service according to the direction thereon, any
communication, with or without a name or designating mark subscribed thereto, addressed to any other person, and
containing any demand or request for ransom or reward for the release of any kidnapped person, shall be fined under
this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
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(b) Whoever, with intent to extort from any person any money or other thing of value, so deposits, or causes to be
delivered, as aforesaid, any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the
person of the addressee or of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
(c) Whoever knowingly so deposits or causes to be delivered as aforesaid, any communication with or without a
name or designating mark subscribed thereto, addressed to any other person and containing any threat to kidnap any
person or any threat to injure the person of the addressee or of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not
more than five years, or both. If such a communication is addressed to a United States judge, a Federal law
enforcement officer, or an official who is covered by section 1114, the individual shall be fined under this title,
imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(d) Whoever, with intent to extort from any person any money or other thing of value, knowingly so deposits or
causes to be delivered, as aforesaid, any communication, with or without a name or designating mark subscribed
thereto, addressed to any other person and containing any threat to injure the property or reputation of the addressee
or of another, or the reputation of a deceased person, or any threat to accuse the addressee or any other person of a
crime, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. If such a communication is
addressed to a United States judge, a Federal law enforcement officer, or an official who is covered by section 1114,
the individual shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 741; Pub. L. 91–375, §6(j)(7), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 777; Pub. L. 103–322, title
XXXIII, §§330016(1)(G), (H), (K), 330021(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147, 2150; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I,
§11008(d), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1818.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §338a (July 8, 1932, ch. 464, §1, 47 Stat. 649; June 28, 1935, ch.
326, 49 Stat. 427; May 15, 1939, ch. 133, §1, 53 Stat. 742).
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of
"principal" in section 2 of this title.
Provisions as to district of trial were omitted as covered by sections 3237 and 3239 of this title.
Changes in phraseology and arrangement were made.
AMENDMENTS
2002—Pub. L. 107–273 designated first to fourth pars. as subsecs. (a) to (d), respectively, and, in
subsecs. (c) and (d), inserted at end "If such a communication is addressed to a United States judge, a
Federal law enforcement officer, or an official who is covered by section 1114, the individual shall be fined
under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both."
1994—Pub. L. 103–322, §330021(2), substituted "kidnapped" for "kidnaped" in first par.
Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(K), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000" in
first and second pars.
Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(H), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $1,000" in
third par.
Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(G), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $500" in
fourth par.
1970—Pub. L. 91–375 substituted "Postal Service" for "Post Office Department" in two places in first par.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor
by Board of Governors of United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see
section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal
Service.

§877. Mailing threatening communications from foreign country

Whoever knowingly deposits in any post office or authorized depository for mail matter of any foreign country any
communication addressed to any person within the United States, for the purpose of having such communication
delivered by the post office establishment of such foreign country to the Postal Service and by it delivered to such
addressee in the United States, and as a result thereof such communication is delivered by the post office
establishment of such foreign country to the Postal Service and by it delivered to the address to which it is directed in
the United States, and containing any demand or request for ransom or reward for the release of any kidnapped
person, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
Whoever, with intent to extort from any person any money or other thing of value, so deposits as aforesaid, any
communication for the purpose aforesaid, containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person
of the addressee or of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.

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Whoever knowingly so deposits as aforesaid, any communication, for the purpose aforesaid, containing any threat to
kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of the addressee or of another, shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
Whoever, with intent to extort from any person any money or other thing of value, knowingly so deposits as
aforesaid, any communication, for the purpose aforesaid, containing any threat to injure the property or reputation of
the addressee or of another, or the reputation of a deceased person, or any threat to accuse the addressee or any
other person of a crime, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 741; Pub. L. 91–375, §6(j)(8), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 777; Pub. L. 103–322, title
XXXIII, §§330016(1)(G), (H), (K), 330021(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147, 2150.)

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §338b (July 8, 1932, ch. 464, §2, 47 Stat. 649; May 15, 1939, ch.
133, §1, 53 Stat. 742).
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of
"principal" in section 2 of this title.
Provisions as to district of trial were omitted as covered by sections 3237 and 3239 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
1994—Pub. L. 103–322, §330021(2), substituted "kidnapped" for "kidnaped" in first par.
Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(K), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $5,000" in
first and second pars.
Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(H), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $1,000" in
third par.
Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(G), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $500" in
fourth par.
1970—Pub. L. 91–375 substituted "Postal Service" for "Post Office Department of the United States" in
two places in first par.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 91–375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor
by Board of Governors of United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see
section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal
Service.

§878. Threats and extortion against foreign officials, official guests, or

internationally protected persons
(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully threatens to violate section 112, 1116, or 1201 shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than five years, or both, except that imprisonment for a threatened assault shall not exceed three
years.
(b) Whoever in connection with any violation of subsection (a) or actual violation of section 112, 1116, or 1201 makes
any extortionate demand shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
(c) For the purpose of this section "foreign official", "internationally protected person", "national of the United States",
and "official guest" shall have the same meanings as those provided in section 1116(a) of this title.
(d) If the victim of an offense under subsection (a) is an internationally protected person outside the United States,
the United States may exercise jurisdiction over the offense if (1) the victim is a representative, officer, employee, or
agent of the United States, (2) an offender is a national of the United States, or (3) an offender is afterwards found in
the United States. As used in this subsection, the United States includes all areas under the jurisdiction of the United
States including any of the places within the provisions of sections 5 and 7 of this title and section 46501(2) of title 49.
(Added Pub. L. 94–467, §8, Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 2000; amended Pub. L. 95–163, §17(b)(1), Nov. 9, 1977, 91 Stat.
1286; Pub. L. 95–504, §2(b), Oct. 24, 1978, 92 Stat. 1705; Pub. L. 103–272, §5(e)(2), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1373;
Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), (N), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147, 2148; Pub. L. 104–132, title VII,
§§705(a)(4), 721(e), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1295, 1299.)

AMENDMENTS
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–132, §705(a)(4), struck out "by killing, kidnapping, or assaulting a foreign
official, official guest, or internationally protected person" before "shall be fined".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–132, §721(e)(1), inserted " 'national of the United States'," before "and 'official
guest' ".

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Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–132, §721(e)(2), inserted first sentence and struck out former first sentence
which read as follows: "If the victim of an offense under subsection (a) is an internationally protected
person, the United States may exercise jurisdiction over the offense if the alleged offender is present
within the United States, irrespective of the place where the offense was committed or the nationality of
the victim or the alleged offender."
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(K), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not
more than $5,000".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–322, §330016(1)(N), substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than
$20,000".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–272 substituted "section 46501(2) of title 49" for "section 101(38) of the Federal
Aviation Act of 1958, as amended (49 U.S.C. 1301(38))".
1978—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–504 substituted reference to section 101(38) of the Federal Aviation Act
of 1958 for reference to section 101(35) of such Act.
1977—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–163 substituted reference to section 101(35) of the Federal Aviation Act
of 1958 for reference to section 101(34) of such Act.

§879. Threats against former Presidents and certain other persons

(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully threatens to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon—
(1) a former President or a member of the immediate family of a former President;
(2) a member of the immediate family of the President, the President-elect, the Vice President, or the Vice
President-elect;
(3) a major candidate for the office of President or Vice President, or a member of the immediate family of such
candidate; or
(4) a person protected by the Secret Service under section 3056(a)(6);

shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(b) As used in this section—
(1) the term "immediate family" means—
(A) with respect to subsection (a)(1) of this section, the wife of a former President during his lifetime, the widow
of a former President until her death or remarriage, and minor children of a former President until they reach
sixteen years of age; and
(B) with respect to subsection (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section, a person to whom the President, President-elect,
Vice President, Vice President-elect, or major candidate for the office of President or Vice President—
(i) is related by blood, marriage, or adoption; or
(ii) stands in loco parentis;

(2) the term "major candidate for the office of President or Vice President" means a candidate referred to in
subsection (a)(7) of section 3056 of this title; and
(3) the terms "President-elect" and "Vice President-elect" have the meanings given those terms in section 871(b)
of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 97–297, §1(a), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1317; amended Pub. L. 98–587, §3(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat.
3111; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 106–544, §2(a), (b)(1),
Dec. 19, 2000, 114 Stat. 2715.)

AMENDMENTS
2000—Pub. L. 106–544, §2(b)(1), struck out "protected by the Secret Service" after "other persons" in
section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–544, §2(a)(1)–(4), in par. (3), substituted "a member of the immediate family"
for "the spouse", added par. (4), and, in concluding provisions, struck out "who is protected by the Secret
Service as provided by law," before "shall be fined" and substituted "5 years" for "three years".
Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 106–544, §2(a)(5), in introductory provisions, inserted "and (a)(3)" after
"subsection (a)(2)" and substituted "Vice President-elect, or major candidate for the office of President or
Vice President" for "or Vice President-elect".
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $1,000" in
concluding provisions.
1984—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 98–587 substituted "subsection (a)(7) of section 3056 of this title" for "the first
section of the joint resolution entitled 'Joint resolution to authorize the United States Secret Service to
furnish protection to major Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates', approved June 6, 1968 (18 U.S.C.
3056 note)".

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TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of the functions, personnel, assets, and obligations of the United States Secret Service,
including the functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland
Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 381, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6,
Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25,
2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§880. Receiving the proceeds of extortion

A person who receives, possesses, conceals, or disposes of any money or other property which was obtained from
the commission of any offense under this chapter that is punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year, knowing
the same to have been unlawfully obtained, shall be imprisoned not more than 3 years, fined under this title, or both.
(Added Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXII, §320601(a)(1), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2115.)

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