Former Mendenhall police chief arrested for witness tampering

From The Mississippi Link Newswire

JACKSON – Donald “Bruce” Barlow, 50, who served as the Mendenhall, Mississippi chief of police until Oct. 2010, has been arrested by special agents of the FBI.

The arrest took place on March 7, around 12 p.m. at his

residence in Mendenhall pursuant to an indictment filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.

His trial has been set for June 3.

While federal officials would not release the details of the allegations against Barlow, they said he is charged with extortion and witness tampering. The arrest follows an investigation by the FBI, with support from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office and the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office.

Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI in Mississippi, stated, “Corrupt activities, such as those alleged to have been committed by former police chief Barlow, serve to erode the public’s confidence in law enforcement. Citizens have the right to expect law enforcement officers to adhere to high standards of conduct while also providing high standards of service.”

McMullen said one of highest priorities of the FBI is the investigation and prosecution of officials like Barlow, “who would violate the public’s trust for personal gain.”

McMullen added that anyone with knowledge of public corruption should contact the FBI.