MINNEAPOLIS — The former Minneapolis police officer who pleaded guilty to repeatedly kicking and punching a man in the May 2020 unrest following George Floyd's murder will serve 15 days in the county workhouse, which he can serve with work release.
That’s the sentence received by Justin Stetson in Hennepin County District Court on Monday for the beating of Jaleel Stallings on May 30, 2020.
Under the plea agreement, Stetson also faces a two-year probation with terms, including: not committing any violations, never seeking employment again as a law enforcement officer, never contacting the victim, not owning firearms or ammunition and attending an anger management class.
As part of Stetson's deal to plead guilty to felony third-degree assault, the court dismissed a lesser charge of gross misdemeanor misconduct of a public employee or officer. The agreement also calls for the felony conviction to be removed from Stetson’s record if he completes his supervised probation.
Stetson briefly addressed the court during his sentencing hearing, saying he stands by his guilty pleas and his filed apology. The former officer further noted he accepts “responsibility for his actions.”
Stallings also offered a statement in court Monday, stating the attack had “irrevocably altered my life.” Stallings further described how his smile in the mug shot from that night showed he was “relieved and surprised to be alive.” Stallings, who was both acquitted by a jury for attempted murder and later received a $1.5 million settlement from Minneapolis, criticized how the case had unfolded.
“How can we say justice is served when civilians are held to a higher standard of law than those who are charged with upholding it? After all I endured, to have only one officer be facing any type of repercussions is a slap in the face,” Stallings said.
Stallings ended his statement by sharing how he supports the “good apples” within the law enforcement and criminal justice communities. In the aftermath of his assault, Stallings founded the Good Apple Initiative to empower “change agents who tirelessly work to address systemic issues,” including the culture of policing in Minnesota.
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