Suffolk County Jailer Arrested on Federal Corruption Charges

BOSTON — Federal prosecutors have charged Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins with leveraging his official position to coerce a cannabis company into giving him lucrative stock deals, according to an indictment unsealed Friday.

Tompkins, 67, was taken into custody in Florida on two counts of extortion under color of official right, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced. The longtime Boston law enforcement leader now faces the possibility of decades behind bars for allegedly exploiting his public office for personal financial gain.

The Scheme Unfolds

The corruption case centers on Tompkins’ relationship with an unnamed Boston cannabis company that sought to open a dispensary in 2019. Initially, the arrangement appeared legitimate—the Sheriff’s Department would help connect graduates from its prisoner reentry program with potential jobs at the dispensary once it received proper licensing.

But prosecutors allege Tompkins transformed this partnership into a personal cash cow when the company prepared to go public in 2020.

Alleged Extortion

Federal investigators say Tompkins pressured company executives for stock shares, weaponizing his official authority to get what he wanted. A company executive reportedly feared that refusing the sheriff could jeopardize their Cannabis Control Commission license and partnership with his department.

Under this alleged duress, Tompkins purchased 14,417 shares for $50,000 from his retirement account in November 2020, paying $1.73 per share.

The Payoff

When the company went public in 2021, Tompkins hit the jackpot. His stock skyrocketed to $9.60 per share, transforming his $50,000 investment into approximately $138,403—a profit of nearly $90,000.

But the story didn’t end there. When the stock value plummeted by May 2022, wiping out his gains, Tompkins allegedly demanded his original $50,000 back. The intimidated executive complied, cutting a check marked “loan repayment.”

Political Fallout

Tompkins has overseen Suffolk County’s corrections system since his 2013 appointment, managing roughly 1,000 employees across facilities including the Nashua Street Jail and House of Correction. His tenure has spanned multiple six-year terms, making him one of Boston’s most established law enforcement figures.

The charges carry severe penalties: up to 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and fines reaching $250,000. For a career built on public service, Tompkins now faces the prospect of trading his sheriff’s badge for a federal prison number.