SALEM — A veteran state trooper from Salem is facing charges that he picked up a prostitute and then nearly ran down a Lynn police officer trying to arrest him early yesterday morning.
Efrain Montanez, 50, who has spent 27 years on the force, was off-duty and driving a state-owned unmarked police vehicle, a pickup truck that he used in his work as a member of the state police gang unit.
Col. Marian McGovern, the commander of the state police, called the new allegations, just weeks after another off-duty trooper allegedly led police on a chase, "disturbing."
Massachusetts State Police spokesman David Procopio called the allegations "an outrageous breach of duty and a violation of the public trust" and "an utter embarrassment to the department and his fellow troopers."
Montanez was seen by Lynn police officers picking up a prostitute, identified by police as Katelyn Pumphret, 23, of Winthrop, in a parking lot near Central Square, then driving to Suffolk Street, a short distance away, police said.
The officers walked over to the pickup truck and saw Montanez and the woman engaged in a sexual act inside the truck.
When one of the officers showed his badge, Montanez allegedly started to back up, but then sped forward, Procopio said.
As he did so, one of the Lynn officers was nearly struck by the fleeing truck, Procopio said.
The officers began following the truck. At the intersection of Washington and Broad streets, Pumphret hopped out. The truck continued on, ignoring the blue light on the cruiser behind him and running a stop sign on Nahant Street before eventually pulling over at the intersection of Lynn Shore Drive.
Montanez has pleaded not guilty to a charge of unnatural acts, assault with a dangerous weapon, failing to stop for police and failing to stop for a stop sign.
He was released on personal recognizance following his arraignment yesterday morning in Lynn District Court, according to Steve O'Connell, a spokesman for the District Attorney's office. He is due back in court next month.
Pumphret was also charged with unnatural acts and being a common streetwalker.
Following his arrest, state police took Montanez's gun and badge. Later yesterday, after a hearing, he was suspended indefinitely without pay, state police said.
In addition to the criminal charges, Montanez faces an internal affairs investigation and discipline.
"The department has no tolerance for such conduct and will take appropriate action," said Procopio.
Courts reporter Julie Manganis may be reached at 978-338-2521 or at jmanganis@salemnews.com.
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