Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 872: Extortion by officers or employees of the United States

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law makes it a crime for U.S. officers or employees to commit extortion under color of office. Penalties range up to three years imprisonment, or one year if the amount is under $1,000.

Read the full statutory text

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.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.