Statutes: Arkansas

(a) A person commits the offense of kidnapping if, without consent, the person restrains another person so as to interfere substantially with the other person’s liberty with the purpose of:

(1) Holding the other person for:

(A) Ransom or reward; or

(B) Any other act to be performed or not performed for the other person’s return or release;

(2) Using the other person as a shield or hostage;

(3) Facilitating the commission of any felony or flight after the felony;

(4) Inflicting physical injury upon the other person;

(5) Engaging in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual activity, or sexual contact with the other person;

(6) Terrorizing the other person or another person; or

(7) Interfering with the performance of any governmental or political function.

(b)(1) Kidnapping is a Class Y felony.

(2) However, kidnapping is a Class B felony if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she or an accomplice voluntarily released the person restrained alive and in a safe place prior to trial.