State Police Suspends Belmont Trooper in Extortion Case

The Massachusetts State Police today, Jan. 3, suspended lifelong Belmont resident John Analetto after his arrest Saturday, Dec. 31, by the FBI for extorting money from an bookmaker.

In a statement, Mass State Police Superintendent Col. Marian McGovern said that Analetto's actions noted in an affidivat released today in Federal District Court were the "actions of a criminal and street thug." 

“Beginning last week, the Massachusetts State Police joined the FBI in an investigation into bookmaking and extortion crimes committed by John Analetto, a state trooper. We provided assistance to our federal law enforcement partners and together determined that circumstances required us to move quickly to apprehend Analetto. He was taken into custody Saturday afternoon by FBI agents and state troopers.

“Immediately after his arrest, superior officers relieved Analetto of duty. We took from him his department-issued firearm, a department-issued shotgun, his cruiser, his badge and other State Police gear. We also confiscated a personal firearm that was at his residence. Today we suspended him without pay indefinitely.

“Analetto’s actions as alleged in the federal complaint are beneath contempt. They are, as alleged, the actions of a criminal and street thug. As suggested by the evidence, Analetto’s behavior exemplifies street-level organized crime, not the values, ideals, and character of a Massachusetts State Trooper. I am disgusted by those actions, but more importantly, the 2,000 or so state troopers who serve with integrity and honesty are disgusted by them.

“We have no tolerance for lawbreakers within our ranks, and will act tirelessly to root them out and see them prosecuted, as we did in this case.”