Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 20 1/2 years in federal prison for violating George Floyd’s civil rights.
Chauvin was given credit for seven months already served. He will spend a minimum of 17 years in prison on the federal charge. Chauvin pleaded guilty to violating Floyd’s civil rights when he held Floyd down with his knee during an arrest in May 2020. Chauvin also admitted that he violated the rights of a 14-year-old when he restrained the teen in an unrelated case in 2017.
He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson. The 245-month sentence was on the lower end of the sentencing guidelines. Prosecutors had asked for a 25- year sentence and Chauvin’s attorney asked for 20 years.
The three other former Minneapolis police officers were convicted in February of federal civil rights charges in Floyd’s killing. A sentencing date for Tou Thao, J. Alexander Keung, and Thomas Lane hasn’t been set.