Former St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges

ST. LOUIS—The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that former police Sergeant Larry J. Davis entered a guilty plea to diverting seized packages containing marijuana for distribution and sale. The total amount of marijuana possessed and intended to be distributed was approximately 60 to 80 kilograms. Larry Davis resigned from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department following his indictment in this case.

According to court documents, Larry Davis was 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. Larry Davis admitted with his plea that between October 2010 and January 2012, he visited various package delivery company branch facilities in St. Louis in his official capacity as a police officer and seized packages that were suspected of containing marijuana. Instead of taking the seized packages to the police department or to the police laboratory and unbeknownst to the package delivery companies, Larry Davis took the seized packages to his personal residence on Eichelberger in the city of St. Louis or to his brother’s residence in St. Louis County. He and his brother, co-defendant Linus Davis, opened the packages and removed the concealed marijuana, which they later sold and distributed for their own personal gain. In order to conceal his criminal conduct, Larry Davis failed to submit police reports regarding the package seizures. As part of their guilty pleas, the brothers have agreed to the forfeiture of two vehicles used in their conspiracy, as well as cash seized during the execution of a search warrant at Larry Davis’ residence.

Larry J. Davis, 46, pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He appeared before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson. Sentencing has been set for July 26, 2012.

His brother, Linus R. Davis, 43, St. Louis County, pled guilty to the same charges March 9 and is scheduled for sentencing on June 7, 2012.

Each count 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, including 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.