Federal Judge Sentences Former St. Paul Officer to 6 Years

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ A federal judge has sentenced a former St. Paul police officer to six years in prison for allowing his dog to maul a suspect.

Reports say U.S. District Judge Wilhemina Wright handed down Brett Palkowitsch's sentence on Friday.

Palkowitsch was found guilty of allowing a police dog to maul Frank Baker in 2016 after Baker was mistaken for a robbery suspect. Palkowitsch also was found guilty of kicking Baker, who suffered seven broken ribs and collapsed lungs.

Palkowitsch apologized through tears during the sentencing hearing.