Lowell Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Solicitation, Extortion Charges

LOWELL– A Lowell police officer has pleaded guilty to charges of extortion and solicitation of a prostitute, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today.

Aravanh Lakmany, 33, of Dracut, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Middlesex Superior Court in Lowell to solicitation of prostitution (3 counts) and extortion.  Middlesex Superior Court Judge Richard Tucker sentenced the defendant to two years in the House of Corrections for each of the solicitation charges, to run concurrently, and three years probation from and after on the extortion charge. 

“This defendant has now admitted to using his position of authority to extort sexual favors from the victims,” District Attorney Ryan said. “We thank these victims for coming forward to reveal this defendant’s abuse of the trust bestowed upon him as a police officer.”

According to authorities, Lakmany, then a Lowell Police Officer working the night shift, would solicit prostitutes while on duty.  The defendant would instruct the victims to get in the back of his police cruiser, where he would drive them to an isolated area and engage in sexual activities.  Three victims said the defendant paid them.  In addition, the defendant ordered the victims to comply with his requests, threatening to arrest them if they did not.

The defendant is no longer employed as a Lowell police officer.

The defendant was indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury on June 23, 2011.  He was arraigned in Lowell Superior Court on July 12, 2011 where Middlesex Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan released the defendant on personal recognizance with the condition that he was ordered not to have any direct or indirect contact with the victims.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Tom O’Reilly and Tejal Mehta. The Victim Witness Advocate is Dora Quiroz.