18 U.S.C. § 242, "Deprivation of rights under color of law," is a federal statute making it a crime for anyone, including law enforcement, to willfully violate someone's constitutional rights while acting under the authority of law, especially if based on race, color, or alienage, carrying potential fines, imprisonment, or even death penalties for severe outcomes like death or kidnapping, and serves as a crucial tool for prosecuting police misconduct and abuse of power.