Isn’t it already extremely difficult to know whether you’re committing a felony by paying a ransom? You’re sending millions of dollars in bitcoins to an unidentified group of known felons; if they are (or are affiliated with) a group dedicated to the violent overthrow of a government, then congratulations, you’ve just provided material support to a terrorist organization.

The US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control specifically warns about the legal risk you take by paying a ransom here: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/126/ofac_ransomware_a...