One of two former East Haven officers convicted of violating Latinos' civil rights has been sentenced to two and one-half years in prison.
David Cari was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Hartford. The sentencing of Dennis Spaulding was continued until Thursday.
A jury convicted them in October of conspiring to violate the constitutional rights of Hispanics, making false arrests and filing false reports. Spaulding also was convicted of using unreasonable force.
They were among four East Haven officers charged in 2012 with harassing and abusing Hispanics. The other officers pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
Cari asked for a three-month prison sentence, while Spaulding is seeking home confinement and community service. Both were allowed to retire from the force.
Prosecutors sought multi-year prison sentences to send a message that no one, not even police, are above the law.
