David Butler (photo courtesy RTV6)

A former IMPD officer convicted of robbery and official misconduct for robbing two Hispanic men will spend the next three years behind bars.

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Judge K.M. Eisgruber sentenced 53-year-old David Butler to a total of eight years with four years suspended and one of the four remaining years on home detention. A jury convicted Butler for targeting Emiliano Vasquez and Andres Salazar during traffic stops in 2011, intimidating them and robbing them. Prior to sentencing, Judge Eisgruber told Butler that his sentencing was a tragedy for the police department and the community, but he added that the sentencing had to happen. The judge also told Butler that his actions put an esteemed police colleague in an unfortunate position of having to testify against him.

Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Anne Harrigan said she felt the sentence was fair and added that Butler violated public trust. After sentencing, Butler's attorney Robert Turner told the judge his client is still considering an appeal. Butler has 30 days to do so. Butler also faces a March 28th pre-trial hearing on separate robbery charges. However, Harrigan says it remains unclear whether any such trial will move forward. Vasquez and Salazar were both in the court room. Neither speaks English well, but Vasquez stated he was pleased with the outcome