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Lawrence Police Officer Arrested On Extortion Charge

LAWRENCE (CBS) - A Lawrence police officer is facing a federal extortion charge after investigators say he was involved in drug transactions with an FBI informant.

John Desantis Jr., 43, who lives in Methuen was arrested just before midnight on Thursday.

According to court documents, a confidential FBI told authorities Desantis was regularly purchasing cocaine over the past year.

The documents also stated that Desantis let the informant into his home on May 16, where he revealed he was a police officer.

Desantis "lifted his shirt to reveal a handgun and what appeared to be a police badge on his belt," the documents state.  Desantis then allegedly took cocaine from the informant and texted the informant to keep their relationship quiet or he would have him arrested.

"While we hope that Mr. Desantis gets the help he needs, his arrest continues our effort to increase the credibility and professionalism of the Lawrence Police Department," Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera said in a public statement Friday. "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."

Desantis has been on leave from the department since November 2015 for a medical issue, according to court documents.

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