Indiana
Indiana Extortion and Blackmail Laws: Intimidation and Penalties
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 17, 2026). · 2 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Indiana has no crime named extortion or blackmail. Conduct people call blackmail is charged under Indiana's intimidation statute, IC 35-45-2-1, which makes it a crime to communicate a threat (including a threat to expose someone to hatred, contempt, disgrace, or ridicule) with the intent that the person act against their will, or under the theft statute when property is obtained by a threat to damage property or impair someone's rights. Intimidation is a Class A misdemeanor unless a listed factor makes it a Level 6 or Level 5 felony.
Information last verified on October 17, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Indiana's intimidation statute (IC 35-45-2-1), theft by unauthorized control (IC 35-43-4-1 and 35-43-4-2), robbery (IC 35-42-5-1), distribution of an intimate image (IC 35-45-4-8), child exploitation (IC 35-42-4-4), and the sentencing sections in IC 35-50, as they appear in the Indiana Code 2026. It does not cover what to do if you are being threatened or how to get images removed (see our sextortion scams guide), the crime of sharing intimate images in other states (see revenge porn laws by state), federal offenses (covered on our extortion and blackmail laws by state hub), or local ordinances.
Is blackmail a crime in Indiana?
Title 35 of the Indiana Code, the state's criminal code, contains no offense named extortion, blackmail, or sextortion. The word blackmail appears in Title 35 only in the human trafficking chapter (IC 35-42-3.5), where IC 35-42-3.5-0.5(b)(5) includes in the meaning of "force", "threat of force", "coercion", or "fraud" "using blackmail or threatening to cause financial harm for the purpose of exercising financial control over the human trafficking victim." That is a definition inside the trafficking chapter, not a stand-alone crime.
Threat-based demands are reached by two general statutes instead:
- Intimidation (IC 35-45-2-1), when a person communicates a threat with the intent that another person act against their will. No property needs to change hands.
- Theft (IC 35-43-4-2), when a person exerts control over another's property and that control is "unauthorized" because it was exerted by a threat to damage property or impair rights.
Intimidation: the closest Indiana offense to extortion
IC 35-45-2-1(a) provides:
"A person who communicates a threat with the intent: (1) that another person engage in conduct against the other person's will; (2) that another person be placed in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act; (3) of: (A) causing: (i) a dwelling, a building, or other structure; or (ii) a vehicle; to be evacuated; or (B) interfering with the occupancy of: (i) a dwelling, building, or other structure; or (ii) a vehicle; or (4) that another person be placed in fear that the threat will be carried out, if the threat is a threat described in: (A) subsection (c)(1)(A) through (c)(1)(E); or (B) subsection (c)(1)(G) through (c)(1)(H); commits intimidation, a Class A misdemeanor."
The first intent, that another person "engage in conduct against the other person's will," is the one that matches a blackmail demand. The fourth intent, fear that the threat will be carried out, applies only to threats in (c)(1)(A) through (E) and (G) through (H), so it does not include the exposure threat in (c)(1)(F).
What kinds of threats count?
Under IC 35-45-2-1(c), "Threat" means:
"(1) an expression, by words or action, of an intention to: (A) unlawfully injure the person threatened or another person, or damage property; (B) unlawfully subject a person to physical confinement or restraint; (C) commit a crime; (D) unlawfully withhold official action, or cause such withholding; (E) unlawfully withhold testimony or information with respect to another person's legal claim or defense, except for a reasonable claim for witness fees or expenses; (F) expose the person threatened to hatred, contempt, disgrace, or ridicule; (G) falsely harm the credit or business reputation of a person; or (H) cause the evacuation of a dwelling, a building, another structure, or a vehicle."
The definition also covers, under (c)(2), "posting personal information of a person with the intent that the posting of the personal information will result in: (A) bodily injury to the person; (B) damage to the person's property; or (C) the commission of a crime against the person."
Some items carry their own qualifiers: (A), (B), (D) and (E) use the word "unlawfully," and (G) is limited to threats to "falsely" harm credit or business reputation.
Indiana intimidation and theft penalties
| Offense | Statute | What it prohibits | Class | Statutory penalty range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intimidation | IC 35-45-2-1(a), (c) | Communicating a threat with the intent that another person engage in conduct against their will, or with another intent listed in (a) | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year; fine up to $5,000 |
| Intimidation, Level 6 | IC 35-45-2-1(b)(1) | Intimidation where, for example, the threat is to commit a forcible felony, targets a witness in a pending criminal case against the person, or relates to a person's occupation, profession, employment status, or ownership status | Level 6 felony | 6 months to 2.5 years (advisory 1 year); fine up to $10,000 |
| Intimidation, Level 5 | IC 35-45-2-1(b)(2) | Intimidation where the person draws or uses a deadly weapon, the threat targets or is communicated to a listed official and relates to the official's status or duties, or the threat is to commit terrorism or in furtherance of terrorism | Level 5 felony | 1 to 6 years (advisory 3 years); fine up to $10,000 |
| Theft (control exerted by threat) | IC 35-43-4-1(b)(7); 35-43-4-2(a) | Knowingly or intentionally exerting unauthorized control over another's property, with intent to deprive, where control is exerted by expressing an intention to damage the property or impair the rights of any other person | Class A misdemeanor; Level 6 felony at $750 to under $50,000; Level 5 felony at $50,000 or more (among other triggers) | Same ranges as above for each class |
| Robbery | IC 35-42-5-1(a) | Knowingly or intentionally taking property from another person or their presence by using or threatening force, or by putting any person in fear | Level 5 felony; Level 3 if armed with a deadly weapon or causing bodily injury; Level 2 if causing serious bodily injury | Level 5: 1 to 6 years; fine up to $10,000 |
| Child exploitation | IC 35-42-4-4(b)(1), (b)(4) | Inducing, causing, or coercing a child under 18 to engage in sexual conduct, or soliciting a child (or a person believed to be a child) to do so, with the intent to produce or transmit an image of it | Level 4 felony; Level 3 in the situations in 35-42-4-4(c); Level 2 if committed by force or threat of force | Level 4: 2 to 12 years (advisory 6); Level 2: 10 to 30 years (advisory 17 1/2); fine up to $10,000 |
The sentence ranges come from IC 35-50. A person who commits a Level 6 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014) "shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of between six (6) months and two and one-half (2 1/2) years, with the advisory sentence being one (1) year," and "may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000)" (IC 35-50-2-7(b)). A Level 5 felony carries "a fixed term of between one (1) and six (6) years, with the advisory sentence being three (3) years," and the same maximum fine (IC 35-50-2-6(b)). A Class A misdemeanor carries "a fixed term of not more than one (1) year" and a fine of "not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000)" (IC 35-50-3-2).
When is intimidation a felony?
Under IC 35-45-2-1(b)(1), intimidation is a Level 6 felony if:
- the threat is to commit a forcible felony;
- the subject of the threat or the person to whom the threat is communicated is a witness (or the spouse or child of a witness) in any pending criminal proceeding against the person making the threat;
- the threat is communicated because of the occupation, profession, employment status, or ownership status of a person, or relates to or is made in connection with it;
- the person has a prior unrelated conviction for intimidation concerning the same victim; or
- the threat is communicated using property, including electronic equipment or systems, of a school corporation or other governmental entity.
Under IC 35-45-2-1(b)(2), it is a Level 5 felony if, while committing it, the person draws or uses a deadly weapon; if the subject of the threat or the person to whom it is communicated is one of the officials listed in (b)(2)(B) (a judicial officer or bailiff of any court, a prosecuting attorney or deputy prosecuting attorney, or a member of the general assembly) and the threat relates to that status or is made in connection with the official's duties; or if the threat is to commit terrorism or is made in furtherance of an act of terrorism. Outside those situations, intimidation is a Class A misdemeanor.
Theft by threat
Indiana's theft statute reaches property obtained through certain threats. Under IC 35-43-4-1(b), control over another person's property is "unauthorized" if it is exerted, among other ways, "by expressing an intention to damage the property or impair the rights of any other person." IC 35-43-4-2(a) then provides that a person "who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person, with intent to deprive the other person of any part of its value or use, commits theft, a Class A misdemeanor." The offense is a Level 6 felony if, among other triggers, the property is worth at least $750 and less than $50,000, and a Level 5 felony if, among other triggers, it is worth at least $50,000. Our Indiana theft laws page covers the full value ladder.
Threats to sue, report, or post a bad review
The intimidation statute's threat list answers these questions only in its own words:
- A bad review or public embarrassment. Paragraph (c)(1)(F) covers an intention to "expose the person threatened to hatred, contempt, disgrace, or ridicule," and (c)(1)(G) an intention to "falsely harm the credit or business reputation of a person."
- Reporting someone to the police. Paragraphs (c)(1)(A) through (H) do not name a threat to accuse a person of a crime.
- A lawsuit. A threat to file a civil lawsuit is not named. Paragraph (c)(1)(E) covers an intention to "unlawfully withhold testimony or information with respect to another person's legal claim or defense, except for a reasonable claim for witness fees or expenses."
In every case, intimidation also requires that the threat be communicated with one of the intents in subsection (a).
Is sextortion a crime in Indiana?
Indiana has no offense named sextortion. Three statutes speak to the conduct in their own terms. The intimidation statute covers a communicated threat to "expose the person threatened to hatred, contempt, disgrace, or ridicule" when made with an intent listed in subsection (a), such as the intent that the person "engage in conduct against the other person's will." Separately, IC 35-45-4-8(d) makes it a crime when a person who "knows or reasonably should know that an individual depicted in an intimate image does not consent to the distribution of the intimate image" distributes it; distribution of an intimate image is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Level 6 felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under that section.
When the person targeted is a child under 18, IC 35-42-4-4(b)(1) makes it child exploitation to induce, cause, or coerce the child to engage in sexual conduct with the intent to produce or transmit an image of it, and (b)(4) covers soliciting a child (or a person believed to be a child) for that purpose. Child exploitation is a Level 4 felony (2 to 12 years, advisory 6 years, fine up to $10,000; IC 35-50-2-5.5), a Level 3 felony in the situations listed in 35-42-4-4(c), and a Level 2 felony (10 to 30 years, advisory 17 1/2 years, fine up to $10,000; IC 35-50-2-4.5) if committed by force or threat of force (35-42-4-4(d)).
For someone being threatened right now, our sextortion scams guide explains reporting and image-removal options. Indiana's rules on AI-generated sexual images are covered on Indiana deepfake laws, and intimate-image crimes in every state on revenge porn laws by state.
Robbery and other related offenses
Robbery involves force or fear during a taking. Under IC 35-42-5-1(a), except as provided in subsection (b), a person who knowingly or intentionally takes property from another person or from their presence "(1) by using or threatening the use of force on any person; or (2) by putting any person in fear; commits robbery, a Level 5 felony." It is a Level 3 felony "if it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon or results in bodily injury to any person other than a defendant," and a Level 2 felony if it results in serious bodily injury to any person other than a defendant.
For schemes that obtain money by deception rather than threats, see Indiana scam and fraud laws. Federal law also reaches threats and extortion that cross state lines; see the extortion and blackmail laws by state hub.
Recent changes
P.L.146-2026 amended IC 35-45-2-1. As the section appears in the Indiana Code 2026, the definition of "threat" now includes, in (c)(2), posting a person's personal information with the intent that the posting will result in bodily injury to the person, damage to the person's property, or the commission of a crime against the person. The rest of the threat list in (c)(1) and the felony factors in (b) read as quoted above.
Related Indiana pages
- Extortion and blackmail laws by state
- Indiana theft laws
- Indiana deepfake laws
- Indiana scam and fraud laws
- Sextortion scams: what to do if you are targeted
This article provides general legal information about Indiana criminal statutes as of October 17, 2026. It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Indiana.
Last updated: October 17, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is blackmail illegal in Indiana?
Indiana has no crime named blackmail or extortion. A threat made with the intent that someone engage in conduct against their will is intimidation under IC 35-45-2-1, and the statute's threat list includes exposing the person threatened to hatred, contempt, disgrace, or ridicule. Obtaining property by expressing an intention to damage property or impair someone's rights can be theft under IC 35-43-4.
Is extortion a felony in Indiana?
Intimidation is a Class A misdemeanor by default and a Level 6 or Level 5 felony only in the situations listed in IC 35-45-2-1(b). Theft by threat is a Class A misdemeanor, a Level 6 felony when the property is worth $750 to under $50,000, and a Level 5 felony at $50,000 or more, among other triggers in IC 35-43-4-2.
What is the penalty for intimidation in Indiana?
As a Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year and a fine up to $5,000 (IC 35-50-3-2). As a Level 6 felony, 6 months to 2.5 years with a 1-year advisory sentence, and as a Level 5 felony, 1 to 6 years with a 3-year advisory sentence, each with a fine up to $10,000, for crimes committed after June 30, 2014 (IC 35-50-2-6, 35-50-2-7).
Is it intimidation in Indiana to threaten a bad review unless someone pays?
The threat list in IC 35-45-2-1(c)(1) includes an intention to falsely harm the credit or business reputation of a person, and to expose the person threatened to hatred, contempt, disgrace, or ridicule. Intimidation requires that the threat be communicated with one of the intents in subsection (a), such as the intent that another person engage in conduct against their will.
Is sextortion a crime in Indiana?
Indiana has no offense named sextortion. The intimidation statute covers a communicated threat to expose the person threatened to hatred, contempt, disgrace, or ridicule, made with the intent that the person engage in conduct against their will, and distributing an intimate image without consent is a separate offense under IC 35-45-4-8. Inducing, causing, or coercing a child under 18 to engage in sexual conduct to produce or transmit an image of it is child exploitation under IC 35-42-4-4, a Level 4 felony, or a Level 2 felony if committed by force or threat of force.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Indiana Code, TITLE 35. CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
§ 35-45-2-1IntimidationIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
Sec. 1. (a) A person who communicates a threat with the intent: (1) that another person engage in conduct against the other person's will; (2) that another person be placed in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act; (3) of: (A) causing: (i) a dwelling, a building, or other structure; or (ii) a vehicle; to be evacuated; or (B) interfering with the occupancy of: (i) a dwelling, building, or other structure; or (ii) a vehicle; or (4) that another person be placed in fear that the threat will be carried out, if the threat is a threat described in: (A) subsection (c)(1)(A) through (c)(1)(E); or (B) subsection (c)(1)(G) through (c)(1)(H); commits intimidation, a Class A misdemeanor.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at iga.in.gov
Cited in 283 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Casey v. State (Indiana Court of Appeals 1997, 676 N.E.2d 1069)“…on for a prior lawful act; 4) while having a deadly weapon. I.C. § 35-45-2-1; Hendrix v. State, 615 N.E.2d 483,…”
- Funk v. State (Indiana Court of Appeals 1999, 714 N.E.2d 746)“…The statute under which Funk was convicted in both counts, I.C. 35-45-2-1 (Burns Code Ed. Repl.1998), states in r…”
- Michael Johnson v. State of Indiana (Indiana Court of Appeals 2014, 6 N.E.3d 491)“…I.C. § 35-42-4-1(a). 3 I.C. § 35-42-2-1(a)(3). 4 I.C. §§ 35-45-2-1(a)(2); (b)(1)(A). 5 I.C. § 35-42-2-…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Indiana Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
§ 35-43-4-1DefinitionsIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
Sec. 1. (a) As used in this chapter, "exert control over property" means to obtain, take, carry, drive, lead away, conceal, abandon, sell, convey, encumber, or possess property, or to secure, transfer, or extend a right to property. (b) Under this chapter, a person's control over property of another person is "unauthorized" if it is exerted: (1) without the other person's consent; (2) in a manner or to an extent other than that to which the other person has consented; (3) by transferring or encumbering other property while failing to disclose a lien, adverse claim, or other legal impediment to the enjoyment of that other property; (4) by creating or confirming a false impression in the other person; (5) by failing to correct a false impression that the person knows is influencing the other person, if the person stands in a relationship of special trust to the other person; (6) by promising performance that the person knows will not be performed; (7) by expressing an intention to damage the property or impair the rights of any other person; or (8) by transferring or reproducing: (A) recorded sounds; or (B) a live performance; without consent of the owner of the…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at iga.in.gov
Also relied on in: Indiana Embezzlement and Forgery Laws: Theft and Penalties (2026)
§ 35-43-4-2TheftIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
Sec. 2. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person, with intent to deprive the other person of any part of its value or use, commits theft, a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is: (1) a Level 6 felony if: (A) the value of the property is at least seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) and less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); (B) the property is a: (i) motor vehicle (as defined in IC 9-13-2-105(a)); (ii) component part (as defined in IC 9-13-2-34) of a motor vehicle; or (iii) domestic animal; or (C) the person has a prior unrelated conviction for: (i) theft under this section; (ii) criminal conversion under section 3 of this chapter; (iii) robbery under IC 35-42-5-1; or (iv) burglary under IC 35-43-2-1; (2) a Level 5 felony if: (A) the value of the property is at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); (B) the property that is the subject of the theft is a valuable metal (as defined in IC 25-37.5-1-1) and: (i) relates to transportation safety; (ii) relates to public safety; or (iii) is taken from a hospital or other health care facility, telecommunications provider, public utility (as defined…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at iga.in.gov
Also relied on in: Indiana Theft Laws: Felony Threshold, Penalties and Shoplifting (2026)
§ 35-50-2-6Class C felony; Level 5 felony; commission of nonsupport of child as Class D felonyIn forcecited in 10 of our articles
Sec. 6. (a) A person who commits a Class C felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of between two (2) and eight (8) years, with the advisory sentence being four (4) years. In addition, the person may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (b) A person who commits a Level 5 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014) shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of between one (1) and six (6) years, with the advisory sentence being three (3) years. In addition, the person may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at iga.in.gov
Cited in 592 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Darryl Calvin v. State of Indiana (Indiana Supreme Court 2017, 87 N.E.3d 474)“…slature used the full “Level 6 felony conviction” term. See I.C. §§ 35-50-2-6(c), -7(d), (f) (2014); In re ITT Deriva…”
- Sutton v. State (Indiana Court of Appeals 1990, 562 N.E.2d 1310)“…ndant received eight years (the maximum sentence allowed by Ind. Code 35-50-2-6), along with credit for the 352 days he…”
- Bresson v. State (Indiana Court of Appeals 1986, 498 N.E.2d 91)“…s Code Ed.Repl.1985). Conviction of a class C felony, under I.C. 35-50-2-6 (Burns Code Ed.Rep1.1985), calls for a…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Indiana Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties, Indiana Phone Call Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules Explained, Indiana Workplace Recording Laws: Employee Rights and Employer Rules
§ 35-50-2-7Class D felony; Level 6 felony; judgment of conviction entered as a misdemeanorIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
Sec. 7. (a) A person who commits a Class D felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of between six (6) months and three (3) years, with the advisory sentence being one and one-half (1 1/2) years. In addition, the person may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (b) A person who commits a Level 6 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014) shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of between six (6) months and two and one-half (2 1/2) years, with the advisory sentence being one (1) year. In addition, the person may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), if a person has committed a Class D felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 6 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014), the court may enter judgment of conviction of a Class A misdemeanor and sentence accordingly.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at iga.in.gov
Cited in 635 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Collins v. State (Indiana Supreme Court 1981, 275 Ind. 86)“…ument is without merit. Defendant also contends that Ind.Code § 35-50-2-7 (Burns 1979 Repl.) violates article I,…”
- Conner v. State (Indiana Supreme Court 1993, 626 N.E.2d 803)“…upp. 1993), carrying a maximum prison term of three years. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-50-2-7 (West Supp. 1993). Since the State's c…”
- State v. Brunner (Indiana Supreme Court 2011, 947 N.E.2d 411)“…viction of a Class A misdemeanor and sentence accordingly.” I.C. § 35-50-2-7(b). This is a question of first impress…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Indiana Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Statutes and Penalties, Indiana Identity Theft Laws, Indiana Assault and Battery Laws: Battery Levels and Penalties (2026)
§ 35-50-3-2Class A misdemeanorIn forcecited in 4 of our articles
Sec. 2. A person who commits a Class A misdemeanor shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of not more than one (1) year; in addition, he may be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at iga.in.gov
Also relied on in: Indiana Felony Levels and Misdemeanor Classes (2026 Guide)
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