Legal Question in Criminal Law in Minnesota

penalties for exstortion

If someone calls you and tells you to go to the local gas station in your town to get a letter that they left for you and you go read the letter and it falsly states that you have sexually molested his or her children and if you don't meet them at the local bowling alley the next day with 6000.00 dollars they will hurt your children. is this exstortion or black mail or what and what could the penalty for this be in Minnesota? (this is absolutely true and I would really really like to hear back from you) Thank You


Asked on 1/22/04, 12:54 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Maury Beaulier Attorney at Law

Re: penalties for exstortion

It is extortiion and should be reported immediately to the police.

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Answered on 1/22/04, 1:33 pm
Thomas C. Gallagher Gallagher Criminal Defense

Re: penalties for extortion

The conduct you describe, if proven, would support a prosecution for the crime of "Coercion," under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.27, or "Attempt to Coerce," under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.275. Also, a civil lawsuit for actual and punitive damages is authorized under Minnesota Statutes Section 626.556, subd. 5 "Malicious or Reckless False Report of Child Abuse." Note that your rights may be destroyed with the passage of time -- consult a lawyer who has investigated the facts and researched applicable law about statutes of limitations periods that may apply.

As a practical matter, you might want to retain a lawyer and private investigator to help you get evidence against this person and take appropriate action; and, contact the police department -- perhaps they will want you to participate in a sting operation against this person. In the meantime, avoid any contact with this person of the children he or she controls.

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Answered on 1/22/04, 1:38 pm


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