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- Boston area sheriff alleged to have extorted cannabis company for $50,000: court records</p>
<p>Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAYAugust 12, 2025 at 1:55 AM</p>
<p>A sheriff in the Boston area could face two decades behind bars after being indicted on federal charges on Aug. 7 for allegedly extorting a local cannabis dispensary over several years.</p>
<p>Former Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, 67, allegedly threatened to revoke a local dispensary's Boston business license if they did not help him obtain $50,000 of discounted stock in the business before it was publicly traded, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.</p>
<p>The people of Suffolk County deserve better," said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. "Public corruption remains a top priority for my administration and we will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who uses their position of trust and power for their own gain."</p>
<p>The federal extortion charge against the Sheriff carries "a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, according to the US Department of Justice.</p>
<p>Officials outlined Sheriff Tompkins' alleged scheme in court records obtained by USA TODAY. The Sheriff is accused of extorting $50,000 worth of discounted stock after learning that the company planned to go public.</p>
<p>Massachusetts law requires cannabis dispensaries to participate in a rehabilitation program to operate, according to the court documents. This includes hiring former inmates and working with local authorities, such as the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, which makes the referrals.</p>
<p>"It is alleged that Tompkins pressured Individual A for stock, reminding Individual A that Tompkins had assisted Company A in its licensing efforts in Boston," the records disclosed.</p>
<p>Ted E. Docks, a Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, described Tompkins' actions as "beyond disappointing." He added, "We believe what the Sheriff saw as an easy way to make a quick buck on the sly is clear-cut corruption under federal law."</p>
<p>USA TODAY was not able to immediately find an attorney representing Tompkins at this time.</p>
<p>Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.</p>
<p>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boston area sheriff facing federal charges for extorting company</p>
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