                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SEXUAL EXTORTION; PENALTY (§ 18.2-59.1)

A. Any person who maliciously threatens in writing, including an electronically
transmitted communication producing a visual or electronic message, (i) to
disseminate, sell, or publish a videographic or still image, created by any
means whatsoever, or (ii) to not delete, remove, or take back a previously
disseminated, sold, or published videographic or still image, created by any
means whatsoever, that depicts the complaining witness or such complaining
witness&#8217;s family or household member, as defined in &#xA7; 16.1-228, as
totally nude or in a state of undress so as to expose the genitals, pubic area,
buttocks, or female breast with the intent to cause the complaining witness to
engage in sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal
intercourse, inanimate or animate object sexual penetration, or an act of sexual
abuse, as defined in &#xA7; 18.2-67.10, and thereby engages in sexual
intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal intercourse, inanimate or
animate object sexual penetration, or an act of sexual abuse, as defined in
&#xA7; 18.2-67.10, is guilty of a Class 5 felony. However, any adult who
violates this section with a person under the age of 18 is guilty of a felony
punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for a term of not
less than one nor more than 20 years and by a fine of not more than $100,000.

B. Any person who maliciously threatens eviction, loss of housing, property
damage, or any financial loss with the intent to cause the complaining witness
to engage in sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal
intercourse, inanimate or animate object sexual penetration, or an act of sexual
abuse, as defined in &#xA7; 18.2-67.10, and thereby engages in sexual
intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, anal intercourse, inanimate or
animate object sexual penetration, or an act of sexual abuse, as defined in
&#xA7; 18.2-67.10, is guilty of a Class 5 felony. However, any adult who
violates this section with a person under the age of 15 is guilty of a felony
punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for a term of not
less than one nor more than 20 years and by a fine of not more than $100,000.

C. A prosecution pursuant to this section may be in the county, city, or town in
which the communication was either made or received.

HISTORY: 2023, c. 612; 2025, c. 227.