Where is Derek Chauvin Now? Is Derek Chauvin Still in Jail? Derek Chauvin Release Date
by Rubaditsha
Updated Sep 04, 2023
Where is Derek Chauvin Now?
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, has been relocated from a maximum-security state prison in Minnesota to a medium-security federal prison in Tucson, Arizona. This transfer occurred as part of his federal sentence after pleading guilty to civil rights charges in connection with Floyd's death.
In the Minnesota state prison, Chauvin often spent the majority of his day confined to a 10-foot-by-10-foot cell. The move to the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson is expected to provide him with a less restrictive environment. The Tucson facility houses both male and female inmates and is part of a larger complex that includes various security levels, from high-security to minimum-security satellite camps.
Chauvin's relocation to a federal prison is seen as a measure to enhance his safety. Federal prisons typically house less-violent inmates, reducing the risk of conflicts with individuals he may have arrested or investigated during his tenure as a Minneapolis police officer.
While federal prisons offer improved safety prospects, they are not without their challenges, including concerns related to gang activity and violence. The federal prison system was placed on nationwide lockdown earlier due to a gang altercation that resulted in fatalities.
Derek Chauvin's sentencing in both state and federal courts marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about police brutality and racial injustice. His actions, captured on video, led to widespread protests worldwide and amplified calls for accountability in law enforcement.
As of the latest information available, Chauvin is serving his concurrent state and federal sentences in the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona. Any updates or changes to his status would require checking the most recent news sources.
Who is Derek Chauvin?
Derek Michael Chauvin is a former American police officer who gained infamy for his involvement in the murder of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Chauvin served on the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) from 2001 until 2020.
The tragic incident occurred on May 25, 2020, when Chauvin and three other officers apprehended George Floyd. During the arrest, Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for approximately nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on the street. Floyd repeatedly pleaded, "I can't breathe."
Following this incident, Chauvin was terminated from the MPD on May 26 and subsequently arrested on May 29. Floyd's murder ignited a wave of protests not only across the Twin Cities but also throughout the United States and around the world, sparking a global movement against racial injustice and police brutality.
Chauvin's career as a police officer was marred by a history of misconduct allegations, including 18 complaints on his official record and involvement in three police shootings, one of which resulted in a fatality. He also received two letters of reprimand for his actions.
In March 2021, Chauvin stood trial on charges of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in connection with Floyd's death. On April 20, he was found guilty of these charges. Subsequently, on June 25, Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison, with the possibility of supervised release contingent on factors like good behavior after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
In December 2021, Chauvin pleaded guilty to federal charges related to violating Floyd's civil rights by employing unreasonable force and neglecting Floyd's severe medical needs. He also pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a 14-year-old boy in 2017 through unreasonable use of force.
Chauvin received a 21-year federal prison sentence on July 7, 2022, and his state and federal sentences are set to run concurrently. As of August 2022, Chauvin was transferred to FCI Tucson, a medium-security federal facility in Arizona, to serve his sentence. His anticipated release date on the state sentence is December 10, 2035, and for the federal charges, he is expected to be released in 2038.
Name
Derek Michael Chauvin
Born
March 19, 1976 (age 47)
Place of Birth
Oakdale, Minnesota, U.S.
Education
Dakota County Technical College
Alma Mater
Metropolitan State University (BS)
Known for
Murder of George Floyd
Criminal Status
Incarcerated at FCI, Tucson
Is Derek Chauvin Still in Jail?
As of now, Derek Chauvin is indeed still in custody; however, he has been transferred from a Minnesota state prison to a federal facility in Arizona. Chauvin is serving his sentences in connection with the murder of George Floyd, with concurrent state and federal sentences.
He was originally convicted in state court and sentenced to 22 1/2 years in a maximum-security state prison in Minnesota. In addition to this, Chauvin pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges and was subsequently sentenced to 21 years in a federal prison. Both sentences are to be served concurrently in the federal prison system.
Chauvin's transfer to a federal facility in Tucson, Arizona, took place after his guilty plea and sentencing in federal court. This relocation to a federal prison was expected to provide him with a different and potentially safer environment than his previous incarceration in Minnesota.
Derek Chauvin Release Date
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Derek Chauvin is slated for release on September 4, 2038. His incarceration status was recently updated when, on August 24, 2022, he was transferred from a state prison in Minnesota to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Tucson, Arizona, a federal facility.
This transfer marks a significant change in Chauvin's confinement. Previously, he was serving his sentences in the Minnesota state prison system, where he was held in a maximum-security facility. However, with his move to the federal prison in Tucson, Chauvin's circumstances have evolved.
FCI Tucson is known for accommodating a mix of male and female inmates and is part of a larger complex encompassing various security levels, ranging from high-security facilities to minimum-security satellite camps.
The decision to relocate Chauvin to a federal prison is noteworthy, primarily due to potential safety considerations. Federal prisons typically house inmates with less propensity for violence, and Chauvin's status as a former police officer may have factored into this move to mitigate potential conflicts with individuals he may have interacted with during his law enforcement career.
Chauvin's presence in the federal prison system is tied to his federal civil rights charges stemming from the death of George Floyd. These charges resulted in a 21-year federal prison sentence, to be served concurrently with his state sentence of 22 1/2 years for his convictions on murder and manslaughter charges.
Derek Chauvin Wife
Kellie Chauvin, formerly employed as a radiologist, crossed paths with her future husband during an intriguing encounter at her hospital. This fateful meeting occurred when Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, brought a suspect into the hospital for a health examination, as reported by the Mail. Their initial encounter eventually blossomed into a deeper connection, leading to their marriage on June 12, 2010.
Before her noteworthy pageant victory in 2018, Kellie Chauvin openly expressed her admiration and affection for her husband in interviews with local media outlets. Her affectionate remarks painted a picture of a woman deeply in love with Derek Chauvin.
This unique backstory adds a layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding the Chauvins, particularly given the significant role Derek Chauvin would later play in the public eye due to his involvement in the George Floyd case. The convergence of their paths, starting with that chance meeting in the hospital, ultimately led to their union and highlights the unexpected twists that life can take.
Kellie Chauvin's public statements about her husband prior to her 2018 pageant win offer insights into their relationship at that time. However, subsequent events, including Derek Chauvin's trial and conviction in the George Floyd case, have significantly altered the public perception of both individuals. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, these events have since shaped the Chauvins' lives in profound ways.
Derek Chauvin Early Life
Derek Chauvin was born on March 19, 1976, in Oakdale, Minnesota. His family consisted of his mother, who was a housewife, and his father, a certified public accountant. During his formative years, Chauvin spent his early childhood in West Saint Paul. However, at the age of seven, his parents divorced, and he was granted joint custody.
Chauvin's educational journey included attendance at Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, though he did not complete his high school education there. Instead, he obtained a General Educational Development (GED) certificate in 1994. He then pursued a certificate in quantity food preparation at Dakota County Technical College. During this time, he worked in various roles, including as a prep cook at a McDonald's in Cottage Grove and later at Tincunni's buffet restaurant in Newport.
In addition to his civilian life, Chauvin served in the United States Army Reserve from 1996 to 2004. His military service included two stints in the military police, first in Rochester, Minnesota, and later in Hohenfels, Bavaria, Germany.
While balancing his military duties, Chauvin pursued higher education. He attended Inver Hills Community College from 1995 to 1999 and later transferred to Metropolitan State University. In 2006, he graduated from Metropolitan State University with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement.
This background provides insight into Derek Chauvin's early life, education, and military service, which ultimately culminated in his career as a police officer. His actions as a law enforcement officer would later come under intense scrutiny and lead to significant legal and societal consequences.
Derek Chauvin Career
Derek Chauvin's career as a police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) was marked by several significant incidents and misconduct complaints. Chauvin applied to the MPD in September 2000 and joined the force in 2001. During his tenure, he was involved in three police shootings, one of which resulted in a fatality.
In 2006, Chauvin and other officers received a medal for valor for firing 23 shots at Wayne Reyes, who had pointed a shotgun at them. In 2008, he received another valor medal for a domestic violence incident in which he broke down a door and shot Ira Latrell Toles, who allegedly reached for his pistol.
Chauvin also earned a commendation medal in 2008 for tackling a fleeing suspect holding a pistol, and in 2009, he received another commendation medal for working off duty as a security guard at a nightclub.
However, Chauvin's career was marred by misconduct complaints. He had a total of 18 complaints on his official record, with two resulting in disciplinary actions in the form of letters of reprimand. One notable incident occurred in 2006 when Chauvin and fellow officers fired 43 rounds at Wayne Reyes, who had reportedly stabbed his girlfriend. The grand jury in 2007 decided not to charge any of the officers, deeming their use of force justified.
In 2008, Chauvin was involved in a domestic violence call where he broke down a bathroom door and severely beat Ira Latrell Toles, shooting him twice at close range. Another incident in 2011 saw Chauvin involved in the shooting of Leroy Martinez, with eyewitnesses disputing the police's claim that Martinez was armed when shot.
In 2017, Chauvin was accused of hitting a 14-year-old black boy with a flashlight and holding him down with his knee for nearly 17 minutes, ignoring the boy's complaints of not being able to breathe. These incidents, along with Chauvin's tactics as a security guard at a Latin nightclub, have drawn significant criticism.
In 2023, the City of Minneapolis agreed to pay nearly $9 million to settle lawsuits against Chauvin by Zoya Code and John Pope Jr., both of whom alleged that Chauvin used a similar knee-on-neck tactic in 2017, similar to the one that led to George Floyd's death in 2020.
Where is Derek Chauvin Now: FAQs
Derek Chauvin was born in Oakdale, Minnesota, on March 19, 1976.
His mother was a housewife, and his father worked as a certified public accountant.
Chauvin attended Park High School in Cottage Grove but did not graduate. He obtained a GED certificate in 1994. Later, he pursued a certificate in quantity food preparation and attended college.
Chauvin served in the United States Army Reserve from 1996 to 2004, with two stints in the military police.
He attended Inver Hills Community College and later transferred to Metropolitan State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement in 2006.