State Police Veteran Charged with Soliciting Prostitute, Trying to Evade Police
Efrain Montanez, 50, of Salem, tried to pick up an alleged prostitute in Lynn, said State Police.
Photos
A 27-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police officer was arrested early Friday morning after he allegedly tried to pick up a suspected prostitute in Lynn.
Efrain Montanez, 50, of Salem, picked up the alleged prostitute between Union and Blake streets, near Central Square, according to State Police.
Lynn Police spotted the incident and approached the vehicle to find Montanez engagaed in a sexual act with Katelyn Pumphret, 23, who is believed to be homeless with a last known address in Winthrop, said State Police.
When an officer showed Montanez his badge, the Salem man reportedly put his truck, which is Montanez’s department-issued unmarked cruiser, in reverse and accelerated forward to get away. This caused one of the Lynn officers to put his hands on the truck and push himself away so he wouldn’t get hit, said State Police.
Lynn Police followed the vehicle and Pumphret reportedly exited the vehicle at Washington and Broad streets. After dropping off Pumphret, Montanez continued to evade police and ran a stop sign, said State Police.
Lynn Police ultimately pulled over Montanez at Nahant and Lynn Shore Drive. Police placed him into custody and charged him with unnatural acts; assault with a dangerous weapon (the vehicle); failure to stop for police; and stop sign violation.
Montanez was off duty at the time of the arrest. In light of the arrest, the State Police relieved Montanez of duty this morning. State Police took his badge and department firearm.
The Salem man was bailed out and is expected to be arraigned in Lynn District Court today. State Police have also scheduled a hearing to amend Montanez’s duty status and the Internal Affairs Section will open an investigation.
In a statement, David Procopio, State Police spokesman, said, “ The actions of Montanez as alleged in the Lynn Police report are an outrageous breach of duty and a violation of the public trust. Montanez’s behavior, as alleged, is an utter embarrassment to the department and the overwhelming majority of troopers who wear the badge with integrity and honor. The department has no tolerance for such conduct and will take appropriate action.
“We are grateful that no Lynn Police officer suffered serious injury and we thank the Lynn officers for their restraint in last night’s incident,” he said.
John Dumas
7:22 am on Saturday, December 17, 2011
Someone could have died, just because some prudes want to make prostitution illegal.
Just as in NY the the police could have filled the car with bullets or some children could have been killed in the chase.
All the death would have been called "justifiable".
gene
8:50 am on Saturday, December 17, 2011
Personal use of government vehicles has become rampant. I see the DPW director in Danvers, DURING THE WORK DAY, all the time. Also, why doesn't the fire chief's vehicle have a light bar and fire department markings? Then again, why is the Mayor driving around in an unmarked car?
john
2:08 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011
Jane Swift used a State Police helicopter to go home.Not too swift. Devaul Patrick and Murray both have full time State Police drivers. You raise a good point about the fire chief. He has an SUV probably worth $50k. I remember when the chief had a Ford LTD.Police captains get to take cruisers home.Times are bad show some attempt to make cuts some place besides the schools.The mayor needs a car like Salem needs a windmill.
As for the trooper I feel bad for his family. He has ruined his reputation and career and his family will have to deal with the impact.
Edward
10:51 am on Saturday, December 17, 2011
"When an officer showed Montanez his badge, the Salem man reportedly put his truck, which is Montanez’s department-issued unmarked cruiser, in reverse and accelerated forward to get away."
Could someone please explain how a vehicle can be put in REVERSE only to have it accelerate FORWARD?
BTW, the Boston Herald reported the vehicle as an unmarked, state-police pickup, not a cruiser.
Jared Robinson
2:19 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011
I think he reversed and then went forward...
Edward
5:59 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011
As quoted, it implies that the vehicle was put into reverse and it went forward. The wording is incorrect.
Jared Robinson
6:13 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011
right... so you're commenting on a grammar technicality... ok.
Eric Yanco
12:26 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
But you don't get it, Jared, it said he reversed and went forward. We must be precise. What if it said he put the car in drive and reversed. Hmmm? Then where would we be?
john
1:06 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
It simply depends on which article you read. He put the car in reverse and then into forward and fled
Jared Robinson
1:55 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
We'd be having a conversation about the news and not the grammar. Novel idea, no?
ME
3:41 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
Don't worry about this anyone. It is already written in stone that the police can detain, steal, beat and kill without any repercussions, but an extended paid vacation.
State police beat a man over a traffic stop and he dies in their custody and it was the "perps" fault for having a "previous heart condition". Town police officers can steal marijuana from evidence and the commander in charge of the internal affairs can withhold his findings to "not interfere with other investigations"; until the statute of limitations has expired! Not to mention the recent unnecessary death of a 21 yo that was hazardously chased across state lines into NH and killed. This was over an ALLEGATION that he hit his girlfriend. Really! Deadly chases are necessary. How about letting the non imminent non emergency and unfounded situation diffuse and give the person a chance to respond and volunteer his side of the situation, before endangering others with a high speed chase ending in death. No, bother with the details of the senseless chase that led to the "necessary shooting". The police are immune from their own rules.
So don't even concern yourself with this. It has already been decided and is now case law that those taking an oath to uphold their own laws are not going to be held to the same standards: They would gladly beat anyone to death for daring to disobey!!! Take heed and stay within the lines. The police state is here; probably at my door after this post!
ME
3:50 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
p.s. I don't even believe in the laws against prostitution (I am not for prostitution just that the laws make it unhealthy, dangerous and are wholly ineffective). The police are paid to uphold THEIR "laws" and then suffer no consequences for breaking them.
john
3:57 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
I am pretty sure this guy is suffering and I also think he will lose everything. I can dispute your assertions by refering to a number of bad apples in the Salem PD that have been fired over the years for their behavior. Do you have a punching bag you can vent on?
ME
4:35 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
That MIGHT be the case, but, my inside source says otherwise. This will probably not even go to court. His 27 year immaculate record on the force shows he never got "caught" before. It is only soliciting, so ya they will kinda make it look like they actually care by taking this one off the force. But, they NEVER put their own on trial for horrific situations that get overblown by testosterone ridden rages or for theft of drugs and such. They cover up the more serious assaults against the "laws" with "internal investigation"; where they are allowed to be judge and jury in their own cases! So, ya they will make it appear as thought they care over this simpler matter, but the more serious ones get covered up real quick. This guy will NOT see the inside of a jail and it is my view that those hired to uphold these "laws" ought to be responsible to a much much higher standard than the rest of us. Considering the eagerness to arrest people and then engaging in the same activities is SLEAZY!!!
ME
6:02 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
Oh ya. He is suffering the social humiliation and possible loss of career and marriage, like any of us would. But, any of us without state police union backing, might remain in jail until in front of a judge, for threatening a police officer with a deadly weapon.This kindly little act would have gotten anyone else beaten bloody. I know first hand he will be out, if he is not already.
Furthermore, for this "minor" offense they will make it appear as though they are being stern but this creep will get off because his squeaky clean 27 year record shows he has never been at least caught, before this event. The not so funny thing seems to be that the more serious offenses are dismissed with a quick "internal investigation" where they get to be the judge and jury in their own internal "trial". These always get swept under the rug somehow someway.
john
4:41 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
He wont see jail nor should he.The only thing left is his pension and we will see if he gets it.
ME
8:33 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
For fleeing from police and threatening an officer's safety, he should get something more than what he will wind up getting. This can not be the first and only thing he has done. Also as far as I am concerned, he deserves to lose his pension. He tarnished his own career. I am sure he would not be looking for lenience if he were the arresting officer and it were a civilian. He wold not be concerned with what damages are done to the "criminal". If one is so willing to enforce the rules, they should not be so shocked when they have them thrown at them.
This following link will lead you to an interesting story where if I remember correctly all of the police were exonerated and it was declared that the man had a previous heart condition.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/11/driver_police_b.html
ME
5:02 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
Oh ya. He is suffering the social humiliation and possible loss of career and marriage, like any of us would. But, any of us without state police union backing, might remain in jail until in front of a judge, for threatening a police officer with a deadly weapon.This kindly little act would have gotten anyone else beaten bloody. I know first hand he will be out, if he is not already.
Furthermore, for this "minor" offense they will make it appear as though they are being stern but this creep will get off because his squeaky clean 27 year record shows he has never been at least caught, before this event. The not so funny thing seems to be that the more serious offenses are dismissed with a quick "internal investigation" where they get to be the judge and jury in their own internal "trial". These always get swept under the rug somehow someway.
ME
6:15 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011
Ok let me try one more time without possible censorship. Police should be held to a higher standard and should withstand harsher penalties for blatantly breaking the law!
Olivia Pednes
12:27 pm on Monday, December 19, 2011
Wow so much prostitution that makes me sick. They shut down craigslist so why are they allowing sites like backpage and http://www.classivox.com to stay open? I just don't get it...