Derek Chauvin sentenced to just over 20 years for violating George Floyd's federal civil rights

Photo Credit: Minnesota Department of Corrections

The former Minneapolis police officer who kneeled on a handcuffed Black man's neck for more than nine minutes while he was lying in the street struggling to breathe was sentenced to over 20 years in federal prison today.

Senior US District Court Judge Paul Magnuson sentenced Derek Chauvin, 46, to 252 months in prison with credit for time served for depriving George Floyd Jr., and a then 14-year-old boy of their constitutional rights.

The 46-year-old died pinned under three Minneapolis officers after telling them, "I can't breathe," more than 20 times. His May 2020 death, captured on video, sparked protests around the country against racial injustice and police brutality.

Chauvin was already sentenced to 22 and a half years in June 2021 on state charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for his role in Floyd's death. US attorneys asked the court for Chauvin's sentence to run concurrently with his state sentence.

#DerekChauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted last year of murdering #GeorgeFloyd, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday on a separate federal charge that he violated Floyd’s civil rights when he pressed his knees into the man’s neck. pic.twitter.com/nVQ2hZo0WM

— Gerald A. Griggs (@AttorneyGriggs) July 7, 2022

Chauvin could have faced up to life in prison if convicted of depriving Floyd of his civil rights. He instead pleaded guilty in December as part of an agreement with prosecutors, which capped the potential sentence at 25 years.

In the plea agreement, Chauvin admitted that his willful use of unreasonable force resulted in Floyd’s bodily injury and death because his actions impaired his ability to obtain and maintain sufficient oxygen to sustain life. Chauvin also pleaded guilty to willfully depriving a then-14-year-old child of his constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer, resulting in the child’s bodily injury.

"This sentence should send a strong message that the Justice Department stands ready to prosecute law enforcement officers who use deadly force without basis," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division of the ruling. "While no amount of prison time can reverse the tragic consequences of Derek Chauvin’s violent actions, we hope that this sentence provides some small measure of justice for the families and communities impacted.”

U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota added, "Chauvin's actions constituted a grave abuse of police authority and a clear violation of these individuals’ civil rights. To the victims, their families, and to the broader community: although the harm that Chauvin caused will never be erased, today’s sentence of more than 20 years in prison represents a measure of justice and accountability.”

Chauvin will be transferred from solitary confinement at Minnesota's only maximum-security prison to a federal prison, where he will serve both sentences.

Three other former Minneapolis police officers involved in the incident – Tou Thao, J. Alexander Keung and Thomas Lane – were convicted in February of federal civil rights charges in Floyd's death.

Thao, Kueng and Lane were charged with depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under government authority and failing to provide Floyd with medical care. Thao and Kueng faced an additional count for failing to stop Chauvin from initiating the actions which caused Floyd’s death.

Under federal guidelines, the trio could face life in prison or even the death penalty at sentencing.

Rihanna Is the Youngest Self-Made Female Billionaire in U.S.

Danilo Lauria, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Just under a year after she first attained billionaire status Rihanna has reached another major career milestone, and unlike some on the list she joined — she did it her way.

The 34-year-old singer and entrepreneur, who recently welcomed her first child with rapper A$AP Rocky, is now the youngest self-made female billionaire in the country.

The news comes courtesy of Forbes. Rihanna's $1.4 billion fortune earned her the No. 21 spot on the magazine's recently released list of America’s richest self-made women.

It's how she made her money, however, that is perhaps most notable about the Barbados-born businesswoman.

On a list littered with those who acquired their wealth through inheritance, family companies, corporate malfeasance, and perhaps worse in some cases, Rihanna's self-made score from the publication was a lofty 10.

According to Forbes scores of six and above on their 10-point scale are indicative of someone who has built a company or established a fortune on his or her own. Rihanna's perfect score is for the self-made who not only grew up poor but also overcame significant obstacles.

While she has sold more than 60 million albums, Fenty Beauty (makeup) and Savage x Fenty (lingerie) are largely responsible for her wealth. Her 50% stake in Fenty Beauty accounts for the bulk of her fortune. Savage x Fenty, of which she owns 30% is worth about $270 million, and the rest of her earnings come from her heralded music career and stints as an actress.

Michael Jackson's Breakdancing Mentor, Bruno 'Pop N Taco' Falcon, Dead at 58

©Bruno "Pop N' Taco" Falcon/ Facebook 

The man that helped shape the King of Pop's legacy as a dancer is dead at 58.

Hip-hop dancer and choreographer Bruno "Pop N Taco" Falcon passed away Saturday.

Falcon's official Facebook page first broke the news.

"It is with sadness and emotion that I announce Bruno passed away yesterday," the account posted alongside a picture of the dance in his prime.

It added, "Bruno was an incredible, kind and generous man. He always had that smile that lights up our hearts every moment. A unique and incredible talent. He will forever be the greatest dancer of history, with Michael Jackson. We are all thinking of Bruno's family and sending them all our love. Bruno "Pop N' Taco" Falcon is the king."

His sister Diana Wolgamott confirmed the death to ABC7 and said that he died of natural causes at his Long Beach home.

©Bruno "Pop N' Taco" Falcon/ Facebook

The East LA native first broke into the mainstream as a dancer portraying Electro Rock 1 in 1984's breakdancing hit “Breakin’."

Starring alongside rapper-turned-actor Ice-T and fellow dancing phenomenon Adolfo “Shabba Doo” Quinones, Falcon helped bring the art form to the forefront of the American psyche.

The dancer parlayed his newfound fame into a successful career as a dancer and choreographer for some of music's biggest acts. It is his 16-year collaboration with 13-time Grammy winner Michael Jackson, however, that may be his most enduring legacy.

Falcon worked with the pop star on multiple projects including Captain EO (1986), Moonwalker (1988), and the Dangerous Tour (1992-93), and is credited with tutoring the singer and talented dance in his own right, in the ways of popping, waving, gliding and other dance techniques that he incorporated into his unique style and made his own.

Following his death, Falcon's nephew Alberto "Beto" Pina organized a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his funeral expenses. Pina said that his uncle was an all-around good and humble person, but over the years he had fallen on hard times.

"To many, Bruno was an icon, a legend in the dance world, a master of popping and a teacher. But to us he was a son, a brother, a friend and an uncle," Pina wrote on the GoFundMe page. "Bruno was a good man whos generosity over the years was unmeasurable. He was just an all around good and humble person."

Pina continued, "So we are here asking his fans, students and family for any donations to help us lay our Bruno to rest. Bruno "Pop N Taco" will forever live in our hearts. He left his legacy in this world and for that we are proud of him. We love you Bruno."

The fundraiser had raised more than half of its goal of $40,000 at press time.