§ 2E2.1.
Making or Financing an Extortionate Extension of Credit; Collecting an Extension of Credit by Extortionate Means
(a) Base Offense Level: 20
(b) Specific Offense Characteristics
(1) (A) If a firearm was discharged increase by 5 levels; or
(B) if a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was used to convey a specific (not general) threat of harm (e.g., pointing the weapon at a specific victim or victims; directing the movement of a specific victim or victims with the weapon) or to make physical contact with a victim (e.g., pistol whip; weapon placed against victim’s body), increase by 4 levels; or
(C) if a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was brandished or possessed, increase by 3 levels.
(2) If any victim sustained bodily injury, increase the offense level according to the seriousness of the injury:
| DEGREE OF BODILY INJURY | INCREASE IN LEVEL |
|---|---|
| (A) Bodily Injury | add 2 |
| (B) Serious Bodily Injury | add 4 |
| (C) Permanent or Life-Threatening Bodily Injury | add 6 |
| (D) If the degree of injury is between that specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B), add 3 levels; | or |
| (E) If the degree of injury is between that specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C), add 5 | levels. |
Provided, however, that the combined increase from application of paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not exceed 9 levels.
(3) (A) If any person was abducted to facilitate commission of the offense or to facilitate escape, increase by 4 levels; or
(B) if any person’s freedom of movement was restricted through physical contact or confinement, such as by being tied, bound, or locked up, to facilitate commission of the offense or to facilitate escape, increase by 2 levels.
(c) Cross Reference
(1) If a victim was killed under circumstances that would constitute murder under 18 U.S.C. § 1111 had such killing taken place within the territorial or maritime jurisdiction of the United States, apply §2A1.1 (First Degree Murder).
Historical note
Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (amendments 146, 147, and 148); November 1, 1991 (amendment 398); November 1, 1993 (amendment 479); November 1, 2000 (amendment 601); November 1, 2024 (amendment 831); November 1, 2025 (amendment 832).
* * * * *
Commentary
Statutory provisions
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 892–894.
Application Notes:
1. Definitions.—Definitions of “firearm,” “dangerous weapon,” “brandished,” “bodily injury,” “serious bodily injury,” “permanent or life-threatening bodily injury,” and “abducted” are found in the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application Instructions).
2. Interpretation of Specific Offense Characteristics.—See also Commentary to §2B3.2 (Extortion by Force or Threat of Injury or Serious Damage) regarding the interpretation of the specific offense characteristics.
Background
Background: This section refers to offenses involving the making or financing of extortionate extensions of credit, or the collection of loans by extortionate means. These “loan-sharking” offenses typically involve threats of violence and provide economic support for organized crime. The base offense level for these offenses is higher than the offense level for extortion because loan sharking is in most cases a continuing activity. In addition, the guideline does not include the amount of money involved because the amount of money in such cases is often difficult to determine. Other enhancements parallel those in §2B3.2 (Extortion by Force or Threat of Injury or Serious Damage).