---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 875"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "875"
heading: "Interstate communications"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/875"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 41 — Extortion and Threats"
---

# §875. Interstate communications

- (a) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) transmits in [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2) any communication containing any demand or request for a ransom or reward for the release of any kidnapped [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5), shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
- (b) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), with intent to extort from any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5), firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value, transmits in [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2) any communication containing any threat to kidnap any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) or any threat to injure the [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
- (c) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) transmits in [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2) any communication containing any threat to kidnap any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) or any threat to injure the [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
- (d) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), with intent to extort from any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5), firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value, transmits in [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2) any communication containing any threat to injure the property or reputation of the addressee or of another or the reputation of a deceased [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) or any threat to accuse the addressee or any other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) of a crime, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

## Source credit

(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.)

## Notes

### 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.

### Editorial Notes

### 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.