Man Arraigned for Threats Against Police Investigating Extortion
BOSTON, June 28, 2022—A Boston man was arraigned on charges of extorting a former business associate and making threats against members of the Boston Police Department, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
CHRISTOPHER DRAYTON, 31, was arraigned in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court on charges of extortion, larceny over $1,200 and witness intimidation. Assistant District Attorney Alexander Jones cited Drayton’s history of defaulting on court dates in requesting bail of $20,000. He additionally requested that Drayton be ordered to stay away and have no contact with members of the Boston Police Department against whom he made threats, stay away from the city in which one of the officers resides, submit to GPS monitoring and stay off social media in the event he is to be released on bail. Judge Michael Bolden imposed bail of $7,500 and the requested conditions of release. He additionally ordered that Drayton undergo a mental health evaluation within 48 hours of his release.
On June 22, a Boston Police detective placed a phone call to Drayton in an attempt to resolve a dispute between Drayton and a former business associate over equipment belonging to the associate. Drayton allegedly refused to return the equipment unless his former associate paid him – demanding amounts up to $500.
Drayton made statements referencing the detective’s home address and claimed to have the layout of the residence. He told the detective to, “Watch out,” and additionally made statements that if anyone arrived at his home, “Someone would get killed.”
Drayton went on to make more than 10 phone calls to the district station, threatening the detective and other members of the department. He referenced the home address of another member of the department in one of these calls, prosecutors said. He also made statements referencing his relationship with a judge in an apparent attempt to dissuade police from pursuing their investigation.
A Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) team was dispatched to Drayton’s home. This program provides crisis response and evaluation, mental health services and referrals under the leadership of Boston Medical Center. Drayton would not respond to their attempts to make contact.
Following the visit, he repeatedly called Boston police and made additional threats. Drayton, who is white, also sent text messages of a racial nature to the extortion victim, who is Black.
Officers arrested Drayton on June 24. Drayton refused to complete the booking process and made threats to kill and rape officers and their families.
“There is no excuse for this behavior, whether toward police officers who work to improve the safety of our communities or any other member of our community. These disturbing threats against members of law enforcement, against their families and against the wellbeing of our communities are serious, and they will be handled accordingly,” Hayden said. “Everyone has the right to access the protections of our courts and our legal system. We will not tolerate actions that threaten or intimidate a victim or witness, or to improperly interfere with an investigation or prosecution.”
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal legal system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.