New York  - Former Sopranos actor Lillo Brancato Jr was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for his part in a botched 2005 burglary in which his accomplice killed an off-duty police officer.

The actor, who played a low-level mafia operative in the hit show, was found guilty in December of attempted burglary but was acquitted of second-degree murder charges. His accomplice, Steven Armento, received a life sentence after being found guilty of first-degree murder.

The case stemmed from an attempt by the two men to break into a New York apartment to steal painkillers. But they were disturbed by police office Daniel Enchautegui, who lived next door. In the ensuing firefight, the off-duty cop wounded both burglars before being shot to death by Armento, a New York court heard Friday.

Prosecutors had sought the maximum sentence of 15 years for Brancato, but the New York state judge opted to sentence him to 10 years. He has already served three years awaiting trial, and that time will be credited toward his sentence. (dpa)