Nearly five years after George Floyd’s death sparked global protests against racial injustice, J. Alexander Kueng, one of the former Minneapolis police officers involved in Floyd’s killing, is set to be released from federal prison. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Kueng will leave the low-security Elkton correctional facility in Lisbon, Ohio, on January 15, 2025.
Kueng’s Role in a Tragedy
Kueng was one of four officers present on May 25, 2020, when Floyd was pinned to the ground during an arrest. Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back while Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, ignoring Floyd’s repeated pleas that he couldn’t breathe. The incident, captured on bystander video, sparked a global reckoning over systemic racism and police brutality.
Legal Accountability
Kueng pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and was convicted in federal court of violating Floyd’s civil rights. He received a concurrent sentence of 3 ½ years on state charges and 3 years on federal charges. Under Minnesota law, Kueng will now serve the remainder of his sentence on supervised release.
Ongoing Justice and Reflection
Kueng’s release comes months after fellow officer Thomas Lane, who held Floyd’s legs, was released from prison. Tou Thao, who kept bystanders from intervening, is set for release later this year. Derek Chauvin, convicted of murder, is serving a 22 ½-year state sentence and a 20-year federal sentence. He is not expected to be released until 2038.
As Kueng prepares to re-enter society, Floyd’s death remains a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform and justice for Black lives. The legacy of this tragedy continues to push for accountability and meaningful change in policing.