Former police officer Charles Schwarz reported to prison Friday in Minnesota to begin serving his maximum five-year sentence in connection with the 1997 Abner Louima torture case.

The former officer surrendered to prison officials at the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth to begin his five-year sentence for lying about his role in the Louima case. Schwarz's original surrender date of December third was postponed so he could spend Christmas with his family.

Schwarz was convicted of perjury in July, then took a plea deal in September to avoid a fourth trial on charges he violated Louima's civil rights.

Under the terms of his sentence, Schwarz can no longer protest his innocence in the 1997 case, in which Louima, a Haitian immigrant, was assaulted by former officer Justin Volpe in the bathroom of Brooklyn’s 70th Precinct stationhouse.

If Schwarz complies with the gag order and with time off for good behavior, he could be released from prison in three years instead of five.