According to a report in the Muncie Star Press, former Muncie police officer, Corey Posey, was found not guilty by a federal jury this week, in a case where he was accused of falsifying reports to cover up the excessive force used by another officer.

After two mistrials last year when jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, Posey had accepted a plea agreement in October. That agreement was rejected by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, on the grounds that the penalties were too lenient.

Pratt believed there was a disparity between Posey’s plea agreement and the sentences received by three other officers who had already been found guilty of covering up excessive force used by former Muncie police officer Chase Winkle.

The report quotes Assistant US attorney Peter Blackett as arguing that, “it was not necessary for Posey to go to prison, noting that he had never used excessive force and at the time of the alleged offense was still a probationary officer in training under Winkle.”

Winkle, who is the son of former Muncie Police Chief Joseph Winkle, is currently serving out the remainder of his 10 year sentence for use of excessive force at the Memphis Federal Correctional Institution in Tennessee.

Posey had been on paid administrative leave for two years while the case was under investigation and he awaited his trial. Around the time he accepted the state’s plea agreement he resigned from the department and was also arrested for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

In a statement given to WRTV Indianapolis Posey is quoted as responding to his acquittal by saying, “… I give all glory to God for His goodness and for helping my truth to be heard… I look forward to finally moving on to a new chapter of peace for me and my children.”