Lawrence police officer allegedly used his power to extort cocaine
A Lawrence Police officer was arraigned on an extortion charge after federal prosecutors say he used his official badge and firearm to force a drug trafficker to supply him with cocaine and threatened to arrest him if he did not comply.
John R. Desantis, Jr., 44, from Methuen, had been purchasing powdered cocaine once or twice a week from an unnamed drug trafficker, according to a criminal complaint. On at least six instances, Desantis used a personal check with his full name and address for the transactions, ranging from $100 to $200, the complaint says.
On May 16, during a meeting with the drug trafficker, Desantis allegedly lifted his shirt and showed his handgun and police badge, and then seized the cocaine. Desantis also wrote several written messages into the alleged drug dealer’s phone saying he would be arrested unless he continued to supply him with drugs, according to prosecutors.
“you say nothing. so u dont get hurt [sic]. you go free and we dont care if you still work,” the message read. “you say [anything] you go to jail. i worked out deal for you because i think you are a good guy.”
The unnamed drug trafficker, an undocumented immigrant from Dominican Republic, had two pending arrest warrants in state court.
In follow-up text messages, Desantis again referenced the threat of arresting the drug trafficker.
“I know that you are nervous and surprised but you will not be arrested at all if you do as I tell you to,” he wrote.
Desantis was hired by the Lawrence Police Department in 1999, but had not worked in the department since February 2015. Yet he remained a sworn officer with full police powers, the Lawrence Police Chief told FBI investigators.
In a statement, Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera said “we hope that Mr. Desantis gets the help he needs.”
“It is important to remember that the unfortunate actions of one officer should not overshadow the stellar things that our police department does as a whole, but if any officer conducts him or herself in less than a professional and legal way they will be disciplined and or terminated,” Rivera said.
Desantis was arrested on Thursday and charged with unlawfully obtaining property by extortion under color of official right, and threatened force and fear. He was arraigned on Friday, and is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, prosecutors said.
His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com