St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant and Brother Indicted on Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges

ST. LOUIS—The United States Attorney’s Office announced the indictments of Sergeant Larry J. Davis and his brother, Linus R. Davis, on charges of diverting seized packages containing marijuana for distribution and sale.

According to the indictment, Larry Davis is assigned as a supervisory sergeant to the Central Patrol Division-Special Operations Group responsible for conducting investigations into illegal gang activities and illegal drug distribution. The indictment alleges that from October 1, 2010 through January 10, 2012, Larry Davis visited various package delivery company branch facilities in St. Louis in his official capacity as a police officer and seized packages which were suspected of containing marijuana. Instead of taking the seized packages to the police department or to the police laboratory, the indictment alleges that unbeknownst to the package delivery companies, Larry Davis took the seized packages to his personal residence in the City of St. Louis, where he and his brother Linus opened the packages and removed the concealed marijuana, which they later sold and distributed for their own personal gain. Additionally, the indictment alleges that in order to conceal his criminal conduct, Larry Davis failed to submit police reports regarding the package seizures. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of two vehicles used by the brothers in their conspiracy.

LARRY J. DAVIS and his brother, LINUS R. DAVIS, St. Louis County, were each indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Larry Davis was arrested earlier this morning at his home. Linus Davis is expected to surrender to authorities later this morning. They are expected to appear in federal court for an initial appearance this afternoon.

“Without going into operational details, we are very appreciative of the cooperation we received from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department,” said Thomas R. Metz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI-St. Louis Division.

If convicted, each count of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the FBI Public Corruption Task Force, which includes officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.