A Belmont man has been dismissed from the State Police after his federal conviction in May of extorting money on behalf of a bookmaker.

John M. Analetto was dismissed from the force by State Police Colonel Timothy M. Alben.

Analetto was a trooper for more than 20 years. Alben’s administrative action was announced in a brief statement issued by the department today.

“The Massachusetts State Police yesterday terminated the employment of John B. Analetto, who was given a dishonorable discharge effective at close of business Wednesday,’’ Alben said in the statement.

“Mr. Analetto’s criminal actions, for which he was convicted in the United States District Court, are diametrically opposed to the core values, standards, and character of Massachusetts state troopers,’’ said Alben, who heads the State Police.


Analetto was arrested by investigators on Dec. 31, 2011, and tried on two counts of extortion, based on secretly recorded videotapes made by bookmaker Robert Russo, who was cooperating with federal law enforcement.

The jury deadlocked on one of the extortion charges, but convicted him for threatening a gambler who owed Russo more than $3,000 for several months. Analetto was recorded discussing how he planned to threaten the gambler, making references to raping the gambler’s mother with a broomstick.

Analetto also called the gambler using an untraceable Walmart cellphone and left a message that the gambler should pay his debt and do so soon. He also made a reference to the gambler’s parents, saying he hoped they had a Happy New Year.

“2012 is not going to be a good year for you . . . capice?’’ Analetto said in December 2011, in what prosecutors said was a threat.

Analetto is to be sentenced on Sept. 10 by District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr.

According to prosecutors, he faces the maximum of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.