Derek Chauvin Has Been Relocated To Federal Prison in Texas

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd, has been transferred to a federal prison in Texas.

At a Glance

Derek Chauvin, 47, has been moved to a low-security federal prison in Big Spring, Texas.
The transfer comes after Chauvin was attacked by another inmate in November 2023.
Chauvin is serving concurrent federal and state sentences for his role in George Floyd’s death.
Another officer involved in Floyd’s death, Thomas Lane, was recently released from prison.
Chauvin is attempting to overturn his federal guilty plea, claiming new evidence in the case.

Chauvin’s Prison Transfer

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer at the center of the George Floyd case, has been relocated to a federal prison in Texas. This move comes months after a violent attack on Chauvin at his previous facility, reports say. The 47-year-old is now housed at the Federal Correctional Institution in Big Spring, a low-security prison east of Midland.

Prior to this transfer, Chauvin was held at FCI Tucson in Arizona, where he was serving a 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights, concurrent with a 22 1/2-year state sentence for second-degree murder. He was also briefly moved to Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma before heading to Texas, according to reports. The Bureau of Prisons has not disclosed whether the recent stabbing incident is related to Chauvin’s relocation.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, convicted in 2021 of murdering George Floyd, has been moved to a Texas federal prison, according to a source familiar with the situation.
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— WFAA (@wfaa) August 21, 2024

The Violent Attack on Chauvin

On November 24, 2023, Chauvin was the victim of a brutal attack while incarcerated at FCI Tucson. John Turscak, a 53-year-old former gang leader and one-time FBI informant, allegedly injured Chauvin. Turscak, who has been charged with attempted murder, reportedly targeted Chauvin due to his notoriety in the George Floyd case.

The attack on Chauvin highlights the ongoing security concerns surrounding high-profile inmates. Chauvin’s lawyer had previously advocated for keeping him out of the general prison population, anticipating that he would be a target. The incident at FCI Tucson has also drawn attention to the facility’s security lapses and staffing shortages.

The George Floyd Case and Its Aftermath

The transfer of Derek Chauvin is the latest development in a case that has stirred immense controversy and sparked worldwide protests over racial injustice. George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died in May 2020 after Chauvin pinned him to the ground with a knee on his neck for over nine minutes. The incident, captured on video, led to widespread demonstrations and calls for police reform.

Chauvin’s conviction and imprisonment were seen as a landmark moment in the fight against police brutality. However, the case continues to evolve. Chauvin is currently attempting to overturn his federal guilty plea, claiming new evidence shows he wasn’t responsible for Floyd’s death. He is otherwise reportedly set to be released in 2038.

Other Officers Involved

The George Floyd case involved multiple officers, each facing various charges and sentences. Thomas Lane, another former Minneapolis officer involved in Floyd’s death, was recently released from a federal prison in Colorado after serving a three-year sentence for aiding and abetting manslaughter. Lane admitted to intentionally helping restrain Floyd in a way that created an unreasonable risk and caused his death.

Two other officers, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, are currently serving their sentences in federal prisons in Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. Both are set to be released in 2025. The varying sentences and outcomes for the officers involved continue to be a subject of public interest and debate.

Ongoing Impact and Legal Proceedings

As the legal proceedings continue, the George Floyd case remains a focal point in discussions about racial justice and police accountability in the United States.

John Turscak, Chauvin’s alleged attacker, is scheduled to go on trial on November 26. The outcome of this trial, along with Chauvin’s attempts to overturn his federal guilty plea, will likely keep the case in the public eye for the foreseeable future. As these events unfold, they continue to shape the national conversation on justice, race, and policing in America.