The radical Left thought their sanctuary city allies were untouchable.
They just learned they were dead wrong.
And Kash Patel sent sanctuary sheriffs one message about corruption that has them all looking over their shoulders.
FBI arrests sanctuary sheriff in $50,000 extortion scheme
Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins spent years making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The Boston-area sheriff became a darling of the Left in 2019 when he kicked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents out of his jail and forced hundreds of illegal alien detainees to be moved within 60 days.
But Tompkins’ time as a sanctuary city hero came to a crashing halt on Friday morning when FBI agents slapped handcuffs on him in Florida.
The 67-year-old sheriff faces two federal counts of extortion under color of official right after allegedly leveraging his elected position to pressure a cannabis executive for stock investment opportunities.
According to prosecutors, Tompkins exploited his department’s partnership with a marijuana dispensary to pressure an executive into allowing him to purchase pre-IPO stock, then demanded a full refund when the investment lost value.
The scheme unfolded between 2020 and 2023 as Tompkins used his official position to pressure the cannabis company executive who needed the sheriff’s cooperation for state licensing requirements.
When Tompkins’ $50,000 investment lost value by 2022, he allegedly demanded a full refund from the executive and received it through a series of disguised payments marked as "loan repayment" and company expenses.
Kash Patel delivers stern warning to corrupt officials
FBI Director Kash Patel didn’t mince words when he learned about Tompkins’ arrest.
"When someone entrusted with enforcing the law is accused of breaking it for personal gain, it undermines the public’s trust in every honest officer who wears the badge," Patel told Fox News Digital. "The FBI will pursue corruption at every level, because no one is above the law."
But Patel’s most pointed message came at the end of his statement.
"The people of Suffolk County, and the country, deserve leaders who serve them, not themselves," Patel declared.
The timing of Patel’s statement wasn’t coincidental.
Since taking over as FBI Director, Patel has made rooting out corruption in law enforcement a top priority – and sanctuary city officials who think their politics will protect them are learning otherwise.
Patel’s message was crystal clear: the days of corrupt officials hiding behind their sanctuary city credentials are over.
The FBI under Patel’s leadership is going after corruption wherever they find it, regardless of whether the corrupt official supports open borders or mass deportations.
The sanctuary sheriff’s spectacular fall from grace
Tompkins built his reputation as a progressive reformer who prioritized illegal immigrants over federal immigration law.
His decision to boot ICE agents from Suffolk County facilities made him a hero to the radical Left and illegal alien rights activists.
But behind the scenes, prosecutors allege Tompkins was running a garden-variety shakedown operation that would make Tony Soprano proud.
The cannabis company needed Tompkins’ cooperation to meet Massachusetts state requirements for their dispensary license.
Tompkins allegedly reminded the executive repeatedly about how he had "helped" the company in its licensing efforts – then pressured the executive to sell him stock.
The executive feared Tompkins might exploit his position as sheriff to undermine the partnership with the department, putting both the license and the company’s planned IPO in jeopardy, according to court documents.
So in November 2020, Tompkins wired $50,000 from his retirement account to an account controlled by the executive, purchasing nearly 29,000 shares at $1.73 each.
Following a reverse stock split, he held about 14,400 shares valued at $3.46 each.
When the company went public in 2021, Tompkins’ investment jumped to $138,403 as the stock price hit $9.60 per share.
But by May 2022, the stock had dropped thousands of dollars below his $50,000 investment, and he allegedly demanded a full refund.
The executive agreed, issuing five checks between May 2022 and July 2023.
The bigger picture: corruption has consequences under Patel
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said Tompkins’ alleged actions were "an affront to the voters and taxpayers who elected him to his position."
FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks called it "clear-cut corruption" and noted that Tompkins had portrayed himself as "a man of the people" and "principled public servant."
"We believe what the Sheriff saw as an easy way to make a quick buck on the sly is clear-cut corruption under federal law," Docks stated.
But the most significant aspect of this case isn’t just another corrupt official getting caught.
It’s what Kash Patel’s response signals about the FBI’s priorities under President Trump’s second term.
Patel made it clear that political alignment won’t protect corrupt officials from federal prosecution.
Sanctuary city sheriffs who thought their anti-Trump positions would shield them from scrutiny are getting a wake-up call.
The FBI under Patel is pursuing corruption "at every level" – and that includes progressive darlings who became media heroes for obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
Tompkins faces up to 20 years in prison on each count if convicted.
More importantly, his arrest sends a message to every other sanctuary city official who might be tempted to abuse their position for personal gain.
Kash Patel’s FBI is watching – and political protection won’t save them from federal prison if they cross the line.
¹ Alexandra Koch, "Kash Patel slams ‘corrupt’ sanctuary sheriff indicted for cannabis company extortion," Fox News, August 8, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ Ibid.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ Ibid.
⁸ Ibid.
