ST. PAUL, Minn. — Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin has pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating George Floyd’s civil rights.
Chauvin’s plea Wednesday means he will not face a federal trial in January, though he could end up spending more years behind bars. Federal prosecutors have recommended a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
Chauvin, who is white, was convicted this spring of state murder and manslaughter charges in connection with the death of Floyd, a Black man. Chauvin pinned his knee against Floyd’s neck as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe during a May 2020 arrest.
Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for his conviction on the state murder charges. Earlier this year, he told the court he planned to appeal the conviction and sentence.
Three other former officers — Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao — were indicted on federal charges alongside Chauvin earlier this year. They are still on course for trial early next year on those charges, with a state trial still to come.
