Cory Evans, 34, was also sentenced to two years of supervised release after a prison sentence by US District Court Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings, according to the statement.
His lawyer, Brian Butler, says that Evans is a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and that it is “well documented” that he saved “at least four lives” during his time with the LMPD.
“Their differing response should be viewed in light of the fact that officers were shot at night during the Louisville riots,” he said in a statement to CNN.
“They had Molotov cocktails thrown at them. They were beaten with rocks, bricks, pee bottles, and stale milk bottles. Corey will forever be disappointed that the government he served in the war sent his case to Veterans Court. rejected his request and the government demanded a harsh punishment.
“Former Officer Evans abused his authority by violently retaliating against a surrendered arrestee who was exercising his First Amendment rights during a demonstration in Louisville,” said Justice Department Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. That was during the racial justice demonstrations in the spring of 2020.” Civil Rights Division in the statement.
The LMPD declined to comment on Evans’ sentencing.
According to the DOJ statement, the FBI and the Public Integrity Unit of the LMPD investigated the matter.
CNN’s Brian Rokas and Christina Carrega contributed to this report.