--- kind: "section" citation: "18 U.S.C. § 876" title: "18" title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure" number: "876" heading: "Mailing threatening communications" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/876" units: - "Part I — Crimes" - "Chapter 41 — Extortion and Threats" --- # §876. Mailing threatening communications - (a) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5), and containing any demand or request for 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) 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) or any threat to injure the [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) of the addressee or 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) 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) and 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 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) judge, a [Federal law enforcement officer](/usc/18/2246.md?p=7), or an official who is covered by [section 1114](/usc/18/1114.md), the individual shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 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) 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) and 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. If such a communication is addressed to a [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) judge, a [Federal law enforcement officer](/usc/18/2246.md?p=7), or an official who is covered by [section 1114](/usc/18/1114.md), the individual shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. ## Source credit (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.) ## Notes ### 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. ### Editorial Notes ### 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. ### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries ### 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.