Sextortion – Extortion with an S.
Michigan House Bills 5887 and 5888 make sextortion illegal in Michigan.
The law defines sextortion as a threat to create or disseminate sexually explicit images or videos of another person to coerce them.
The new law makes a first offense a felony punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine, with increased penalties for subsequent offenses.
For adults victimizing minors, vulnerable adults or someone who suffers serious mental or physical harm because of the sextortion, they’d be guilty of a felony punishable by up to 25 years’ imprisonment.
A minor who engages in sextortion is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment.
Read the laws here: Michigan House Bills 5887 and 5888
Tip: Don’t take or let anyone take naked pictures of you ever.
Questions from the interwebs…
If I am a “sex worker” and have an only fans page. My pictures are everywhere on the internet. I put them under peoples windshield wipers as samples on advertising postcards at the strip clubs, dispensaries and shopping areas.
A guy told me he was going to send a link to my family if I don’t give him free access to my page. Is that sextortion or just plain old extortion? Or is it just good old theft of intellectual property? or is it verbal assault or what?
Answer: Consultations cost $420 an hour.
Michigan Laws
People v. Lukity, 460 Mich 484 (1999)
Case Summary The Michigan Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and reinstated the defendant’s conviction for first-degree criminal sexual conduct against his fourteen‑year‑old daughter. The Court held that although one evidentiary error occurred, it was...
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Case Summary In People v Kvasnicka, the defendant sent a message to a young girl stating she “would not be laughing” when he came to her school to “shoot it up or blow it up like Columbine.” Charged under Michigan’s threat‑of‑terrorism statute, he argued the law was...
Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Cases – Prisoner in Possession
Prisoner in Possession of a Controlled SubstanceCase Summary In People v Tadgerson, the Michigan Supreme Court addressed a critical question: does the crime of a prisoner possessing a controlled substance under MCL 800.281(4) require proof of intent, or is it a...
Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Cases – Murder
Case Summary In People v Jones, the Michigan Court of Appeals addressed whether a single act of abuse can support convictions for both first‑degree child abuse and felony murder. The defendant argued that using the same conduct to support both charges violated...
Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Cases – Neglect of Duty
Case Summary In People v Harper, a Wayne County Sheriff’s deputy was charged with neglect of duty after witnessing an inmate escape during his smoke break and taking no action to stop or pursue the prisoner. The prosecution relied on the Sheriff’s Department policy...
Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Cases – Metallic Knuckles
Case Summary In People v Dummer, the defendant challenged Michigan’s metallic‑knuckles statute, arguing that simply possessing the weapon was protected by the Second Amendment. The Michigan Court of Appeals acknowledged that possession of metallic knuckles is...
Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Cases – Election Interference
Case Summary In People v Burkman, defendants created a robocall targeting African American voters during the 2020 election. The call falsely warned that mail‑in voting would expose voters to law‑enforcement tracking, debt collection, and forced vaccinations....
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Summary A Michigan Court of Claims judge has ruled that the lawsuit challenging the state’s newly enacted 24% wholesale marijuana excise tax may proceed. The ruling, issued January 5, 2026, keeps alive a significant constitutional challenge brought by industry groups...
Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Cases – Arrest
People v Lyons, No 370840, ___ Mich App ___, ___ NW3d ___ (May 13, 2025)Case Summary In People v Lyons, the defendant was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police. Before the vehicle fully stopped, he exited and began walking away. Officers ordered him to return, he...
Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Cases – Manslaughter
Case Summary These two cases examine the boundaries of involuntary manslaughter. In People v Aiyash, a gas‑station clerk locked an agitated customer and three patrons inside the store, after which the customer shot the patrons. In People v Sherrill, the defendant...
Note: This article provides a general overview and does not substitute for legal advice. Anyone charged with a criminal offense should consult an attorney for specific legal guidance.
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Case Summary The Michigan Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and reinstated the defendant’s conviction for first-degree criminal sexual conduct against his fourteen‑year‑old daughter. The Court held that although one evidentiary error occurred, it was...
