NEW YORK - One of the former city police officers convicted of brutalizing Abner Louima in 1997 has been denied his request for an early prison release due to the risk of catching the coronavirus.

Justin Volpe is serving a 30-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to attacking Louima in the bathroom of Brooklyn's 70th Precinct.

A federal judge ruled Volpe did not present any extraordinary and compelling reasons for early release and the circumstances of his crime do not warrant a sentence reduction.

Prosecutors strongly opposed an early release.

Volpe is scheduled to be released in 2025.

Louima was hospitalized for months after the attack.

The case led to protests against police brutality throughout the city.