Chicago police officer sentenced in 2012 beating

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police officer Aldo Brown was sentenced to 24 months in prison after being convicted in October in a 2012 store beating.

Brown and another officer were carrying out a search at a South Side convenience store. Surveillance video appears to show Officer Brown kicking and punching a store employee.

Brown claimed he was just searching the man for a possible weapon. But after watching the video from several angles, neither the jury nor the judge believed him. In asking for the prison sentence Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Romero said:

"This case presents the opportunity to send a very clear message. Law enforcement officials should be held to a higher standard."

Brown's defense attorney says they will appeal the verdict.

"There was a winner and a loser today and in our opinion, the winner was the criminal element," said Dan Herbert, defense attorney.

He faced up to 10 years in prison.

After his prison time, Brown will serve a year of supervised release. He was not ordered to pay a restitution or fine.