Utah criminal charge
Aggravated sexual extortion in Utah
Aggravated sexual extortion is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1.
What is the penalty for aggravated sexual extortion in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Aggravated sexual extortion — victim is child or vulnerable adult (adult actor) — The actor is an adult and the victim of the underlying violation of Subsection (2) is a child or vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $20,000.; indeterminate prison term of not less than five years and which may be for life, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Aggravated sexual extortion — victim is child or vulnerable adult (adult actor) — The actor is an adult and the victim of the underlying violation of Subsection (2) is a child or vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $20,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Aggravated sexual extortion — bodily/severe psychological injury, adult victim (adult actor) — The actor is an adult and violates Subsection (2)(c) where the victim is an adult who is not a vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $20,000.; indeterminate prison term of not less than five years and which may be for life, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Aggravated sexual extortion — bodily/severe psychological injury, adult victim (adult actor) — The actor is an adult and violates Subsection (2)(c) where the victim is an adult who is not a vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $20,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Aggravated sexual extortion — weapon/violence, stranger/friend, prior conviction, position of trust, exploitation, or penetration, adult victim (adult actor) — The actor is an adult and violates Subsection (2)(b), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) where the victim is an adult who is not a vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $10,000.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Aggravated sexual extortion — weapon/violence, stranger/friend, prior conviction, position of trust, exploitation, or penetration, adult victim (adult actor) — The actor is an adult and violates Subsection (2)(b), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) where the victim is an adult who is not a vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $10,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Aggravated sexual extortion — child actor with age gap — The actor is a child and there is more than a two-year age gap between the actor and the victim in a violation of Subsection (2).; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Aggravated sexual extortion — child actor with age gap — The actor is a child and there is more than a two-year age gap between the actor and the victim in a violation of Subsection (2).; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is aggravated sexual extortion classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated sexual extortion — victim is child or vulnerable adult (adult actor) | First Degree Felony | The actor is an adult and the victim of the underlying violation of Subsection (2) is a child or vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $20,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1(3)(a)(i) |
| Aggravated sexual extortion — bodily/severe psychological injury, adult victim (adult actor) | First Degree Felony | The actor is an adult and violates Subsection (2)(c) where the victim is an adult who is not a vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $20,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1(3)(a)(ii) |
| Aggravated sexual extortion — weapon/violence, stranger/friend, prior conviction, position of trust, exploitation, or penetration, adult victim (adult actor) | Second Degree Felony | The actor is an adult and violates Subsection (2)(b), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) where the victim is an adult who is not a vulnerable adult, carrying a mandatory fine of not less than $10,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1(3)(a)(iii) |
| Aggravated sexual extortion — child actor with age gap | Third Degree Felony | The actor is a child and there is more than a two-year age gap between the actor and the victim in a violation of Subsection (2). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1(3)(b) |
Common questions about aggravated sexual extortion in Utah
Is aggravated sexual extortion a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: aggravated sexual extortion ranges from a Third Degree Felony to a First Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1.
Aggravated sexual extortion — victim is child or vulnerable adult (adult actor): First Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1(3)(a)(i)) · Aggravated sexual extortion — bodily/severe psychological injury, adult victim (adult actor): First Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1(3)(a)(ii)) · Aggravated sexual extortion — weapon/violence, stranger/friend, prior conviction, position of trust, exploitation, or penetration, adult victim (adult actor): Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1(3)(a)(iii)) · Aggravated sexual extortion — child actor with age gap: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1(3)(b))
What are the penalties for aggravated sexual extortion in Utah?
Penalties for aggravated sexual extortion in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Third Degree Felony up to a First Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers aggravated sexual extortion?
Aggravated sexual extortion is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5b-204.1 (Aggravated sexual extortion).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.