A federal judge has sentenced a former Jackson police officer to 3 1/2 years in prison after the officer pleaded guilty in October to preparing false police reports.

U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate handed down the sentence against Ivory Lee Harris on Friday, ordering him to serve three years of probation after release and pay a $3,000 fine.

People used Harris' reports to seek special visas allowing crime victims to remain in the United States.

Federal sentencing guidelines suggested a prison sentence of 12 to 18 months for conspiracy to commit visa fraud, but Wingate said earlier that he wanted Harris to serve more time.

A total of 19 people were indicted on charges of visa or marriage fraud allowing Indian men to obtain legal status in the United States.