Derek Chauvin to be Moved to Federal Prison After Sentenced to 21 Years

Saint Paul, MN – Former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison on Thursday, July 7, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson. Chauvin, who had pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations in December 2021, has been incarcerated in state prison since April 2021 after being convicted of murdering George Floyd. In June 2021, Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in state prison, the longest prison sentence for a killing committed in the line of duty in Minnesota.

Chauvin’s federal sentence will give him four more years in prison due to more “good time” given in state prison (up to 120 days a year) than federal (up to 47 days a year). His anticipated release date from state prison was late 2035 whereas his anticipated release date from federal prison will be early 2039.

Although he’ll serve more time, his transfer to the federal prison system will result him in facing less restrictions while being granted more accommodations. Since incarcerated in state custody, Chauvin has been in solitary confinement and will likely be in general population when he’s situated into the federal system.

During a statement he made in court, Chauvin reportedly expressed no remorse and didn’t apologize to the Floyd family. Chauvin had an extensive history of violence against the community and is also facing multiple lawsuits from victims of his acts. Chauvin has also been ordered to pay a yet-to-be-determined amount of restitution to the family of George Floyd.

Three other former Minneapolis police officers were convicted in February on federal civil rights charges in Floyd’s killing. They are due to be sentenced on September 21.