CENTRAL ISLIP – Wearing a tan prison uniform that symbolized how far he's fallen from power, James C. Burke -- the former Chief of Department for the Suffolk County Police Department -- pleaded guilty to two counts in federal court Friday morning.

Burke was charged with assaulting a handcuffed prisoner who had stolen a bag from his official vehicle -- and then obstructing justice, by trying to cover up the crime over a three year period between December 2012 and December 2015.

The 51-year-old Burke spoke in a clear and crisp voice, as he acknowledged beating up burglary suspect, Christopher Loeb, on December 14, 2012.

"I was the chief of department," Burke states to the judge. "I, along with others, used unreasonable force."

Burke did not publicly state the items that were stolen from his police vehicle, but it's been previously reported that porn tapes and sex toys were in the bag.

Loeb was a heroin user who was breaking into multiple cars in the Smithtown community where Burke lived.

The U.S. Attorney's office announced that the plea agreement with Burke includes a request that he not be sentenced to more than 51 months in federal prison, just over four years.

Burke faced ten years for the assault and a $250,000 fine; and another 20 year sentence for conspiracy to obstruct justice, possibly involving a $250,000 fine.

Burke will receive three years supervised release after his prison term, if the judge stays within the parameters of the plea agreement.

Burke was extremely close to Suffolk County District Attorney since the late 1970's, ever since he was a teen witness in a murder case.

Several members of Spota's staff have already been notified they're targets of a continuing grand jury investigation.