FBI arrests Boston sheriff on extortion charges

The FBI on Friday announced that it had arrested Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins for allegedly extorting $50,000 from a cannabis dealer hoping to do business in the city.

"The citizens of Suffolk county deserve better, not a man who is accused of trading on his position to bankroll his own political and financial future," FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks said in a statement.

"Public servants must be held to the highest of ethical standards, and those falling short will be rooted out," he vowed.

Axios Boston reported that Tompkins had specifically secured $50,000 in stock and later secured a refund when the share price dropped.

Conservative accounts online were quick to highlight Tompkins's support for sanctuary city policies, though the arrest and alleged criminality appear unrelated to that issue.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.