Former Suffolk Police Chief James Burke pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges for beating up a man in 2012 and then conspiring to cover it up.

As News 12 has reported, Burke was arrested in December for the 2012 assault of a burglary suspect, Christopher Loeb. Burke had vehemently denied the charges until today when, dressed in beige prison garb, the former police chief admitted it was true. He had accepted a plea deal that will get him 51 months or less in federal prison.

Burke told the judge that on Dec. 14, 2012, he went to Suffolk' 4th Precinct and entered the room where Loeb was being held. He then told the judge, "At that time I, along with others, willfully used unreasonable force and slapped and hit this individual, causing bodily injury."

Burke went on to say, "I and others did knowingly and intentionally conspire and took affirmative steps to obstruct, including conspiring with other participants not to cooperate with the investigation."

Federal prosecutors said in court today that they have 11 witnesses, including Suffolk police officers, who would have testified against Burke had it gone to trial.

Burke's attorney says some of the officers who were in the room during Loeb's assault and had a hand in the cover-up have already pleaded guilty. Burke's attorney adds that his client will not be testifying against anyone else in connection with the case.

No date has been set yet for Burke's sentencing.

Attorney Bruce Barket, who represents Loeb, says his client "feels vindicated" by Burke's admission. "Chris had given his account of what took place early on, and his account turned out to be truthful," Barket said.