J. Alexander Kueng, a former Minneapolis police officer, was released from prison on Wednesday after serving 3.5 years.
Kueng was imprisoned, along with three other Minneapolis police officers, following the death of George Floyd in May 2020. That day was his third day on the job.
“I think, unfortunately, we’ve come to the point now where the justice system has been controlled by a mob mentality,” Kueng told Alpha News in an exclusive interview for the documentary “The Fall of Minneapolis.”
The documentary has been viewed 10 million times across various platforms.
Kueng was held in Elkton, Ohio at the Federal Correctional Institution. He will be on probation until March 16, 2026.
Two of the other officers who were also incarcerated are still serving their sentences. Former officer Tou Thao will be released later this year, while Derek Chauvin currently has 13 years left on his sentence. The fourth officer, Thomas Lane, was already released last August after serving a 2.5-year sentence.
It was his third shift as a police officer—others lied and Alex Kueng would soon find himself in prison. A remarkable man who couldn’t have had a bigger smile when he saw his mom for the first time since being released. Please help him get his life back by donating to this fund:… pic.twitter.com/yhV3P8OOiz
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) January 16, 2025
Kueng “couldn’t have had a bigger smile” when he was reunited with his mom following his release. He and his mom, Jodi Kueng, spoke to Alpha News reporter Liz Collin at the airport Thursday upon his arrival to Minnesota. They both expressed how grateful they are for all of the support.
A GiveSendGo fundraiser has been launched to help Kueng rebuild his life after prison. “J. Alexander Kueng dedicated his life to his family, his friends, and his North Minneapolis Community. For his community, he chose to serve as a police officer,” the fundraiser reads.
Prior to becoming an officer in 2020, he served as a Community Service Officer for the Minneapolis Police Department beginning in 2018.
The money is being raised by Kueng’s mom to support him and his partner as they move forward to life after prison.
“Alex is more than ready to grab his girl by the hand, reconnect with family and friends, and, thanks to all the support and prayers sent his way, is determined to rebuild his life,” his family wrote.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
