Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 355 (2026)

Theft by extortion

✓ current as of May 2026

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1. A person is guilty of theft if the person obtains or exercises control over the property of another as a result of extortion and with intent to deprive the other person of the property.

[PL 2001, c. 383, §37 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]

2. As used in this section, extortion occurs when a person threatens to:

A. Cause physical harm in the future to the person threatened or to any other person or to property at any time; or [PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW).]

B. Do any other act that would not in itself substantially benefit the person but that would harm substantially any other person with respect to that person's health, safety, business, calling, career, financial condition, reputation or personal relationships. [PL 2001, c. 383, §38 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]

[PL 2001, c. 383, §38 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]

3. Violation of this section is a Class C crime.

[PL 2001, c. 383, §39 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW). PL 2001, c. 383, §§37-39 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1978–2016 · leading case: United States v. Kevin Unthank, 109 F.3d 1205 (7th Cir. 1997).

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United States v. Kevin Unthank, 109 F.3d 1205 (7th Cir. 1997). · cites it 2× “§ 13-1804(A)(3); Me.Rev.Stat.Ann. tit. 17-A, § 355. By pleading guilty to the intimidation charge set forth in the Illinois information in 1992, Unthank admitted that he threatened to damage the property of another with the intent to cause that person to pay an overdue bill.”

State v. Foster, 149 A.3d 542 (Me. 2016). “respect to one woman; two counts of engaging a prostitute (Counts 11 and 12) and two counts of impersonating a public servant (Counts 13 and 14) with respect to a second woman; two counts of gross sexual assault (Counts 15 and 16) and two counts of impersonating a public servant…”

State v. Mishne, 427 A.2d 450 (Me. 1981). “§ 301(1)(A)(5), and one count of theft by extortion (17-A M.R.S.A. § 355). Mishne entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity (17-A M.”

State v. Viger, 392 A.2d 1080 (Me. 1978). “§ 354, or theft by extortion, 17-A M.R.S.A. § 355, which would involve a significant *1086 difference in the proof required.”

Waldron v. George Weston Bakeries, Inc., 575 F. Supp. 2d 271 (D. Me. 2008). “See 17-A M.R.S.A § 355. Moreover, the lack of action by the Defendant reporting this alleged extortion to the authorities is evidence that they did not even subjectively believe that the voicemail message was an attempt at criminal extortion.”

State of Maine v. Jason M. Foster, 2016 ME 154 (Me. 2016). “respect to one woman; two counts of engaging a prostitute (Counts 11 and 12) and two counts of impersonating a public servant (Counts 13 and 14) with respect to a second woman; two counts of gross sexual assault (Counts 15 and 16) and two counts of impersonating a public servant…”

— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 355(1) — 2 cases

State v. Foster, 149 A.3d 542 (Me. 2016). “respect to one woman; two counts of engaging a prostitute (Counts 11 and 12) and two counts of impersonating a public servant (Counts 13 and 14) with respect to a second woman; two counts of gross sexual assault (Counts 15 and 16) and two counts of impersonating a public servant…”

State of Maine v. Jason M. Foster, 2016 ME 154 (Me. 2016). “respect to one woman; two counts of engaging a prostitute (Counts 11 and 12) and two counts of impersonating a public servant (Counts 13 and 14) with respect to a second woman; two counts of gross sexual assault (Counts 15 and 16) and two counts of impersonating a public servant…”

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