Kidnapping (1st Degree) includes abducting a person with the intent to hold for ransom or shield/hostage, or to aid in fleeing from felony and to inflict physical injury, terrorize, or sexually abuse. Which option lists this degree?

• A. Rape (1st Degree)
• B. Kidnapping (1st Degree)
• C. Sodomy (1st Degree)
• D. Criminal Coercion

Answer: (B)

First-degree kidnapping is defined by abducting someone with certain aggravating purposes—holding the person for ransom or as a shield/hostage, aiding the kidnapper’s escape from a felony, or using the victim to inflict physical injury, terrorize, or sexually abuse. The description given fits those aggravating intents tied to kidnapping, so the option that lists kidnapping as a first-degree offense is the correct match.

The other options refer to different crimes with distinct elements: rape (first degree) involves nonconsensual sexual intercourse with aggravation; sodomy (first degree) covers certain prohibited sexual acts; criminal coercion involves forcing someone to act or refrain from acting through threats or intimidation without necessarily abducting them.