Blackmail is verbally or by written or printed communication and with intent to extort or gain any thing of value from another or to compel another to do an act against his will:

1. 1. Accusing or threatening to accuse any person of a crime or conduct which would tend to degrade and disgrace the person accused; or
2. 2. Exposing or threatening to expose any fact, report or information concerning any person which would in any way subject such person to the ridicule or contempt of society, coupled with the threat that such accusation or exposure will be communicated to a third person or persons unless the person threatened or some other person pays or delivers to the accuser or some other person some thing of value or does some act against his will. Blackmail is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for not to exceed five (5) years or fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or by both such imprisonment and fine.

Laws 1974, SB 654, c. 142, § 1, emerg. eff. May 3, 1974; Amended by Laws 1997, HB 1213, c. 133. § 363 (effective date changed to July 1, 1999 by Laws 1998, 1st Extr. Sess., HB 1002, c. 2, §§ 23-26, emerg. eff. June 19, 1998) (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 1999, 1st Extr. Sess., HB 1009, § 255, emerg. eff. July 1, 1999 (superseded document available).