JACKSON, Mississippi - 50-year-old Bruce Barlow was sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit extortion, bribery and theft while he was Chief of Police for the City of Mendenhall.



U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen announced the sentence Tuesday afternoon. Barlow will also spend three years on post-release supervision and will pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a July 10 hearing.



According to investigators, from January 2010 through July 2010, Barlow instructed Mendenhall police officers to pull over motorists and find ways to gain access into and search their vehicles. He also instructed his officers to seize cash at every arrest, including arrests for misdemeanor charges.



When Barlow was interviewed by FBI agents on March 7, 2013, he admitted to stealing money and property and allowing others to take property seized by the Mendenhall Police Department from the victims after an arrest or detention.



As part of his plea agreement, Barlow agreed to make restitution to the victims of the crime and forfeit any money or property related to the crime. Barlow also agreed to never be employed by any governmental entity in the future.



"The job of a police chief is to serve and protect the public," Davis said. "Mr. Barlow made the choice to go from upholding the law to breaking it. This office will aggressively pursue allegations of public corruption wherever they lead and this case should serve as a stern and sobering reminder that no one is above the law."



This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Simpson County Sheriff's Office, and the Mississippi State Auditor's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mike Hurst and Mary Helen Wall prosecuted the case.

