Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/534

–438– -438(1) if the prisoner was in custody upon a conviction of felony punishable by death, be imprisoned in the penitentiary not more than 14 years; (2) if the prisoner was in custody upon a conviction of a felony other than a felony punishable by death, be imprisoned in the penitentiary not more than 5 years; (3) if the prisoner was in custody upon a charge of felony, be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned in the penitentiary not more than 2 years, or both; or (4) if the prisoner was in custody otherwise than upon a conviction or charge of felony, be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned in jail not more than 180 days, or both. CHAPTER 47--EXTORTION, OPPRESSION, AND THREATS Sec. 881. 882. 883. 884. 885. 886. 887. 888. 889.

Definition of extortion. Threats inducing fear such as will constitute extortion. Punishment of extortion generally. Punishment of extortion committed under color of oflScial right. Obtaining signature by threats. Attempt to commit extortion. Oppression. Blackmail. Threatening letters.

§ 881. Definition of extortion Extortion is the obtaining of: (1) property from another with his consent; or (2) an official act of a public officer— induced by a wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of official right. § 882. Threats inducing fear such as will constitute extortion Fear such as will constitute extortion may be induced by an oral or written threat, either to: (1) do an unlawful injury to the person or property of the individual threatened or of a third person; (2) accuse the individual threatened or a relative of his or member of his family of a crime; (3) expose or impute to him or them a deformity, disgrace, or crime; or (4) expose a secret affecting him or them. § 883. Punishment of extortion generally Whoever is guilty of extortion shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not more than five years. § 884. Punishment of extortion committed under color of official right Whoever commits an extortion under color of official right, in cases for which a different punishment is not prescribed in this title, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned in jail not more than 30 days, or both. § 885. Obtaining signature by threats Whoever, by extortionate means, obtains from another person his signature to a paper or instrument, which signature, if freely given, would have transferred property, or created a debt, demand, charge, or right of action, shall be punished in the same manner as if the actual delivery of property of the value or amount of the debt, demand, charge or right of action were obtained.

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