Former police officer Justin Volpe was sentenced Monday to 30 years behind bars, plus five years probation, for the torture of Haitian immigrant Abner Louima inside a Brooklyn stationhouse in 1997.

Volpe was sentenced in Brooklyn Federal Court Monday morning. The 27-year-old former officer admitted to sodomizing Louima with a wooden stick inside the bathroom of the 70th Precinct stationhouse, and had faced a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Before the sentencing Volpe broke down as he addressed the court, saying, "I hurt many people. I was and still am ashamed."

Volpe also incriminated his former colleague, Thomas Wiese, telling U.S. District Judge Eugene Nickerson Wiese was in the bathroom with him at the time of the attack, not Charles Schwarz. Schwarz was found guilty this past summer of violating Louima's civil rights and is facing life in prison.

Wiese's attorney says Volpe is just trying to get back at his client because it was Wiese who turned Volpe in to authorities. However, Volpe's attorney, Marvyn Kornberg, insists his client has nothing to lose by telling the truth at this point.

Kornberg also says he'll appeal the sentence, which he calls too harsh. Louima's supporters, on the other hand, insist the sentence wasn't harsh enough.

"It is our opinion that Volpe should have been given life," says the Reverend Al Sharpton. "We will file charges with the grievance committee against Kornberg. Clearly, a deposit was made, but justice was not paid in full."

As for Louima, he also spoke at the sentencing Monday. He described his ordeal, as well as what he went through afterwords during a two-month stay in the hospital.

However, Louima didn't ask for any specific punishment for his attacker, saying only that he was sure the court would make a wise and fair decision.

"The sentence today I hope sends a clear message that no one is above the law," Louima told reporters after Volpe's sentence was handed down.

There are still more trials to come in connection with this case. Wiese, Schwarz and another officer, Thomas Bruder, face additional conspiracy charges.