Hunt was among four members of the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force who were assisting members of the East Central Missouri Drug Task Force — which serves Montgomery, Warren and Audrain counties — with the arrest of Phillip Alberternst in Middletown, Mo.

Alberternst had been wanted on several felonies related to making meth.

Hunt’s 2012 trial pitted police officer against police officer and is at the heart of a feud among departments.

Several East Central officers said the St. Charles County officers illegally entered the home where Alberternst was staying and used excessive force in the arrest.

Hunt was sentenced to five years in prison on the burglary conviction for entering the home. He was given a six-month sentence on the assault conviction and three months for property damage, with those to run concurrently with the five-year term.

St. Charles County officials, including Sheriff Tom Neer, have strongly defended Hunt, who has continued to work as a deputy and has been assigned administrative duties.

Neer said Tuesday he was grateful to the Supreme Court for hearing the case and thankful for the decision.