Florida authorities apprehended a Boston sheriff for alleged involvement in a cannabis business extortion racket.
In a case that underscores the ongoing fight against public corruption, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins was indicted on August 8, 2025, for two counts of extortion under color of official right. The charges stem from Tompkins' dealings with a Boston-based cannabis company executive.
According to federal court documents, the alleged extortion began in 2020 during the cannabis company’s licensing process with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. Tompkins is accused of leveraging his influence over the company to demand $50,000 in stock from the executive before the company’s Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company had partnered with the Sheriff’s Department’s re-entry program to meet Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission requirements for licensing, and Tompkins allegedly pressured the executive by reminding them of this support and his ongoing influence on licensing renewals.
The stock was purchased at about $1.73 per share and later soared to $9.60 per share at the IPO, significantly increasing the stock's value. Tompkins was arrested by the FBI in Florida and is expected to face federal court in Boston, with each extortion charge carrying a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
The scheme started in 2019 when the cannabis company needed Sheriff Tompkins' help for their state license. Tompkins reportedly used his position to force his way into buying pre-IPO stock in the company at a discounted price. When the investment later lost value, prosecutors allege Tompkins demanded and received a full refund of his money. The payments were made through five separate checks labeled as "loan repayment" to hide the true nature of the payments.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley stated that the case demonstrates her office's commitment to fighting public corruption. Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, Ted E. Docks, agreed, stating that Tompkins' actions constitute clear-cut corruption under federal law. The press release from Foley stated that elected officials, particularly those in law enforcement, are expected to be ethical, honest, and law-abiding, not self-serving.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment when contacted. Tompkins' attorney could not be reached for immediate comment when our website reached out. Federal officials have not disclosed the specific court date for Tompkins' appearance in Boston.
This indictment highlights charges of public corruption involving misuse of official duties for personal financial gain linked to the burgeoning cannabis industry in Massachusetts. If found guilty, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins could face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Tompkins had led the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department since 2013 and oversaw about 1,000 employees. He will first appear in court in Florida before facing the charges in Boston at a later date.
[1] Federal Court Document (Redacted) [2] FBI Press Release [3] U.S. Attorney's Office Press Release [4] Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Public Filings
- The indictment of Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins in 2025, for alleged extortion, highlights the ongoing battle against public corruption in politics, as well as the general-news topic of crime-and-justice.
- In the case of Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, his alleged use of his position for personal financial gain, through extortion, is a clear example of self-serving behavior in law enforcement, which is in stark contrast to the expected ethical and law-abiding nature of such positions.
- The cannabis industry, specifically in Massachusetts, has found itself at the center of a significant case, as the charges against Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins for extortion involve a Boston-based cannabis company and its Initial Public Offering (IPO), thus intertwining the business world with the crime-and-justice sector.
