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 Wyoming, extortion is defined as the act of obtaining property, services, or any advantage through the use of force, threats, or intimidation. This includes threats of violence, damage to property, or harm to reputation, as well as the abuse of a public position to extract benefits. Extortion is considered a serious crime and is typically classified as a felony, which can result in significant prison time upon conviction. The specific statutes governing extortion in Wyoming can be found in the Wyoming Statutes under Title 6 (Crimes and Offenses), and the penalties may vary based on the severity of the offense and the value of the property or benefit extorted. Additionally, extortion is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876, which means that if the act of extortion involves federal jurisdiction—such as crossing state lines or using federal communication systems—it can be prosecuted by federal authorities with its own set of penalties.