Trooper Efrain Montanez, 50, of Salem, was off-duty at the time of the incident in a department-issued unmarked pickup truck. He has been suspended without pay indefinitely. Lynn police say they began following Montanez after they saw him pick up a prostitute in his truck early Friday morning in a parking lot between Union and Blake Streets, near Central Square.
When the pickup stopped on Suffolk Street, officers approached it and found Montanez and year-old Katelyn Pumphret engaged in a sex act inside, investigators said. As he did so, one of the Lynn officers had to put his hands on the truck and push himself away to avoid getting hit," State Police said in a statement. Lynn police went after the pickup and moments later, at the intersection of Washington and Broad Streets, Pumphret got out.
Officers say Montanez then ran a stop sign before he finally pulled over on Lynn Shore Drive and was arrested. He's charged with unnatural acts, assault with a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, and a stop sign violation. Montanez, a year veteran of the force, was stripped of his badge and gun and relieved of his duties by two State Police commanders at the Lynn Police Station. 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. I know that you are hard-working, dedicated individuals of integrity, committed to public safety, and as troubled as I am by the blemish on our reputation As your colonel, I assure you we will address these issues and restore the public trust.
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