Read more: Local, Crime, Former, Lake City Police Officer, 20 Years, Prison, Conspiring, Drug Dealers, Busted
A former Lake City police officer will spend 20 years in prison for conspiring with drug dealers to keep them from getting busted.
Shanita McKnight was very emotional and sobbed very loudly at times. She begged the judge to have mercy on her, saying she needed to get home to her young daughter and son.
McKnight's family and friends gathered outside the courthouse following her sentence. They could barely contain their emotions.
"This has been a hard pill to swallow today," said Eric Daniels, a close friend.
"Obviously we've disappointed today with the sentencing but we all believe in her," said Peggy Sells, McKnight's former coach.
Wednesday morning, a judge gave the former lake city police officer 20 years for drug conspiracy and extortion. In October, a federal jury convicted McKnight for tipping off drug dealers in lake city so they wouldn't get caught.
Sheriff Kenney Boone said, "You had a police officer who took an oath to enforce the laws of the state and use that oath and their position against justice, and we feel like justice has been served."
McKnight's family says justice won't be served until she's released from prison. They plan to urge mcknight to appeal her 20 year prison sentence.
Eight people spoke to the judge during the sentencing hearing saying McKnight was a good officer, who cared about Lake City.
When released from federal prison, McKnight will be on supervised release for five years.
