The Hobbs Act is the primary federal statute addressing extortion. The statute makes it a federal crime to obstruct, delay, or affect commerce in any way by means of robbery or extortion, or to conspire or attempt to do so. Extortion is defined as the obtaining of property from another, with the other’s consent, induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right. 18 U.S.C. § 1951.

To the extent that the Hobbs Act criminalizes robbery,...