Massachusetts Sheriff is Accused of Extorting Money from a Cannabis Company

• Sheriff Steven Tompkins is accused of demanding $50,000 from a cannabis company.
• Tompkins pressured the company, leveraging his official position.
• If he is found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Sheriff of Suffolk County Steven Tompkins, 67, was arrested on September 8, 2025, in Florida on charges related to extortion. He is accused of using his position to coerce a representative of the cannabis company in Boston into selling him shares for a total of $50,000.

According to court documents, Tompkins began pressuring the company in 2019, when he planned to open a store in Boston. He allegedly indicated that his department could direct laid-off employees to work in the store, which was necessary for obtaining a license from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.

In the fall of 2020, Tompkins transferred $50,000 from his pension account to the company’s account for the purchase of shares. After the initial public offering, the value of his investment increased to $138,000. However, when the stock value fell, he demanded a refund of his money, and the company paid him back through five checks labeled as "refund of shares."

Tompkins also has legal problems. In 2023, he was fined $12,300 for violating conflict of interest laws when he created a position in his department for his relative.

If Tompkins is found guilty of the charges against him, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each count, three years of probation, and a fine of $250,000. His first court appearance in Florida will take place before he appears before the court in Boston.

Tags: USA/Crime