Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, who is facing federal extortion charges, has agreed to "step away" from his position until the federal case against him is resolved, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced Wednesday morning.

“The allegations against Sheriff Tompkins are serious,” Healey said in a statement. "The Suffolk County Sheriff is responsible for managing more than a thousand employees, hundreds of inmates and programs that are essential to public safety and rehabilitation. It is a full-time job that demands full time attention. The people of Massachusetts need to be able to trust in the integrity of the criminal justice system and that their elected officials are fully engaged in the work of serving the public.”

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