Decorated state trooper flees from Lynn police; charged with alleged sex act with prostitute

By Jaime Lutz, Globe Correspondent, John R. Ellement and Globe Staff

A Massachusetts State Police trooper, once awarded the state’s highest honor for bravery, today is being called an “embarrassment’’ by his commanders after his arrest by Lynn police for allegedly engaging in a sexual act with a prostitute inside his unmarked police vehicle.

Efrain Montanez, 50, of Salem, allegedly let a suspected prostitute into his pickup truck in a parking lot between Union and Blake streets in the North Shore city while he was off duty, State Police said in a statement.

Lynn police allegedly saw Montanez -- a 27-year State Police veteran assigned to the Anti-Gang unit -- and Katelyn Pumphret, 23, engage in a sexual act inside the truck at 12:45 a.m. today.

A Lynn officer then approached the car and displayed his badge to Montanez, who sped away. One of the Lynn officers had to push away from the truck to avoid getting hit, authorities said.

A pursuit ensued. At the intersection of Washington and Broad streets, Pumphret left the car and the truck continued driving, running through a stop sign. The truck ultimately pulled over in Nahant on Lynn Shore Drive, authorities said.

Montanez was charged with engaging in unnatural acts, failure to stop for police, a stop sign violation, and assault with a dangerous weapon -- the dangerous weapon being his vehicle. Pumphret was charged with unnatural acts and being a common streetwalker, State Police said.

According to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office, Montanez appeared in Lynn District Court today where he pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on personal recognizance. He is due back in court Jan. 30.

According to State Police, two commanding officers met with the veteran trooper following his arrest and seized his State Police badge and department firearm.

“The actions of Montanez as alleged in the Lynn Police report are an outrageous breach of duty and a violation of the public trust,” said Dave Procopio, a State Police spokesman. “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.”

State Police Internal Affairs will open its own investigation into Montanez’s behavior.

In 1997, Montanez shared the George L. Hanna Award with Trooper Francis P. Hughes. At the time, the two troopers were investigating illegal drug sales in Haverhill, according to Globe accounts.

On Oct. 26, 1996, the two troopers were attacked by a group of people who repeatedly stabbed Hughes, leaving him suffering from life-threatening injuries. The troopers fought off their attackers and Hughes eventually recovered, the Globe reported then.

Montanez earned another major award for bravery in 2005 when he helped Lawrence police talk a man out of jumping from a bridge in Lawrence, according to the State Police. While Montanez distracted the man, four Lawrence police grabbed him and pulled him back from the edge of the bridge.

“The actions of these officers were nothing short of heroic,’’ according to the commendation. “With little to no regard for their own safety, they acted quickly and professionally and brought this dangerous situation to a safe conclusion.’’

Lynn Police Department spokesman Lieutenant Christopher Kelly referred questions about Montanez to State Police and Blodgett’s office. Kelly said the Lynn officers involved were participating in an crackdown on prostitution in Central Square and had focused their attention on Pumphret as part of their investigation.

Jaime Lutz can be reached at jaime.lutz@globe.com.