Federal Judge Sandy Mattice on Wednesday agreed to a further reduction in the sentence for former Hamilton County Sheriff Billy Long.
His attorney, Jerry Summers, said he now could be released as soon as August.
Long was charged with money laundering, extortion, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in February, 2008. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve 14 years in federal prison.
He got a portion of the sentence cut in 2012.
The ruling on Wednesday cut the time to 8.5 years.