Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins will plead not guilty to charges he tried to extort a cannabis business owner, according to his lawyer.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins pleaded not guilty to corruption charges Thursday at federal court in Boston, with his lawyer stating “the facts simply will demonstrate that he was charged with a crime he did not commit.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins has been charged with extortion for his alleged dealings with a Boston-based cannabis company.