Ex-Mass. trooper sentenced on extortion conviction

BOSTON (AP) — A former Massachusetts state trooper convicted of threatening a gambler who owed thousands of dollars to a bookie who was cooperating with investigators has been sentenced to almost 3 ½ years in federal prison.

John Analetto, 49, who was fired in June after a 19-year career, was convicted in May of extortion charges. He was also sentenced to two years of probation and fined $7,500.

Prosecutors asked Thursday for a five-year sentence, above recommended guidelines, because he was a police officer and because of a history of threatening behavior and abuse of authority.

"He believed himself to be untouchable," Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Carris told the judge.

The prosecutor replayed video in court showing Analetto swearing, threatening to kill the man and hitting his head. Analetto was arrested in 2011.

Analetto's lawyer, Daniel O'Malley, said his client's actions were just bravado brought on by alcohol abuse and a gambling addiction.

"This was a man with a big mouth who was drinking all the time," O'Malley said, pointing out that his wife and two children have stood by him. The family was at the sentencing.

Analetto apologized in court.

"I am sorry," he said, gesturing to his family.

"I let my country down, my profession down, my colleagues down," he said.

Cox Media Group