After being arrested on extortion charges earlier this month, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday.

Tompkins' image took a big hit last week when FBI agents arrested him in Florida and federal prosecutors charged him with extorting a local cannabis business. But the sheriff's fellow Democrats have so far been reluctant to cast judgment or call for his resignation.

Prosecutors say the Suffolk County Sheriff used his post to get stock in a cannabis company — and then demand the return of his $50,000 investment.