MEMPHIS, TN - A former Memphis Police officer is sentenced to seven years in federal prison. Melvin Robinson pleaded guilty to Civil Rights Violations and a drug charge Friday, offenses committed while he was with the police force.
After serving his prison sentence, Robinson will have to undergo three years of supervised release. Robinson admitted to stealing $700 from a man he detained after responding to a narcotics call. He punched another man in the face after arresting him.
The most serious crime: Robinson agreed to buy what he thought was 10 kilos of cocaine. He picked it up while on duty and loaded it into his squad car.
Before being sentenced, Robinson addressed the court: "I apologize for all the hurt and shame my actions have caused. I am ashamed and remorseful for what I did."
Robinson could have been sentenced to as many as 11 years, but after taking a number of factors into consideration, Judge John Fowlkes decided on seven. It was six months less that what prosecutors had lobbied for.
Robinson's lawyer Marty McAfee said the sentence was fair.
