A federal jury in Chicago sent a blunt message Friday, convicting former Phoenix patrol officer Antoine “Bell” Larry of conspiring to rob motorists of cash and drugs during traffic stops and of extortion. After roughly two weeks of testimony and about half a day of deliberations, jurors returned guilty verdicts on all four counts, a rare federal win in a corruption case involving south suburban officers.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Larry was convicted on charges that included bribery, conspiracy, extortion, and attempted extortion. Prosecutors said he and Sgt. Jarrett Snowden shook down drivers for cash, offering to reduce, drop or skip charges, or to avoid towing their vehicles, if they paid up. The Tribune reports the jury found Larry guilty on all four counts after about a half-day of deliberations. Larry’s attorney, Beau Brindley, told the paper his team will keep fighting the case and blasted what he called unreliable witnesses and problematic FBI work.
Federal prosecutors first laid out the allegations in a 2023 indictment that accused Larry and Snowden of stealing firearms, drugs, and cash from people in vehicles, then, at times, arranging to sell the stolen narcotics and split the proceeds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The Justice Department said the officers used a “bagman” to collect bribe payments and falsified police reports to cover their tracks. The alleged scheme played out during traffic stops in Phoenix and neighboring Harvey between 2020 and 2022.
How Prosecutors Say The Scheme Worked
In court, prosecutors painted a picture of street-level corruption that had little to do with routine patrol work. When officers encountered contraband during a stop, they allegedly demanded cash in exchange for not filing charges or for letting vehicles avoid the tow yard. In some cases, they allegedly set up follow-up meetings at gas stations so frightened drivers could bring them the money.
Victims told investigators they were forced to hand over anywhere from about $1,000 to as much as $8,000 in at least one case. The Chicago Sun-Times detailed the indictment and the tactics federal agents say the officers used, including bogus reports and third-party money collectors.
Cooperating Witness And Defense Pushback
One of the key witnesses, Bernard Allison, testified that he paid the officers because he was scared of going to jail. On cross-examination, he acknowledged he was a drug dealer, a convicted felon, and that he had lied to the FBI about evidence, giving the defense plenty to work with.
Snowden, Larry’s former sergeant, took the stand for the government after pleading guilty to the conspiracy. Prosecutors said they will ask for a reduced prison term for Snowden because of his cooperation. Brindley told the Chicago Tribune the defense plans to keep hammering at witness credibility and key parts of the government’s narrative as the case moves into its next phase.
What Comes Next
Under federal law, conspiracy to commit bribery carries a maximum of five years in prison, while extortion and attempted extortion each carry potential sentences of up to 20 years, according to the Justice Department’s announcement when the indictment was unsealed. Larry’s sentencing date will be set after a pre-sentencing report is completed, and prosecutors’ recommendations for cooperating witnesses may factor into hearings for co-defendants.
The U.S. Attorney's Office has said it intends to keep pressing for accountability in the case.
Local Trust And Oversight
Larry’s conviction lands in a region that has seen its share of corruption headlines, adding to a string of federal probes and prosecutions involving public officials and police in the south suburbs. It has again stirred questions about how small departments are overseen and how towing and seizure decisions are handled when officers have a lot of discretion on the street.
Local coverage has chronicled past cases in Phoenix and Harvey that drew federal attention and community outrage. Advocates say verdicts like this one underscore the need for clearer safeguards around traffic stops and stronger community oversight of police powers.
Phoenix police Chief Roy Wells previously placed Larry and Snowden on unpaid administrative leave and told local outlets that officials would not go into detail while the federal probe was unfolding. “To avoid compromising the integrity of the federal government's investigation and the trial, we will offer no further comment,” Wells said, according to ABC7 Chicago. With the verdict now in, the case shifts into pre-sentencing mode, and Phoenix residents are left waiting to see what penalties the court decides Larry will face.
