Man jailed for dealing drugs forgives cop who framed him: Forgiveness and redemption exemplified

Jameel McGee (L) and Andrew Collins end up as friends after the latter, a former police officer, confessed that he framed up McGee for drug dealing, which led to his imprisonment for four years. (Screenshot/CBS Evening News)

For four years, Jameel McGee of Michigan languished in jail for dealing drugs because a police officer framed him.

It was in 2005 when then Benton Harbor police officer Andrew Collins arrested McGee on drug charges.

"It was all made up," McGee said in his defence.

Four years after McGee's imprisonment, Collins admitted that the charge against the suspect was fake.

"I falsified the report," he confessed.

The two were featured on the CBN News segment "On The Road" where they talked about how they ended up working together.

"Basically, at the start of that day, I was going to make sure I had another drug arrest," Collins said, and McGee became his target.

That incident became a painful memory for McGee.

"I lost everything. My only goal was to seek him when I got home and to hurt him," he said.

Collins was eventually charged and jailed for one and a half years for falsifying police reports, planting drugs and stealing, CBS News reports.

McGee was cleared of the charges after spending four years in prison.

The two met last year by accident. They went to the faith-based employment agency Mosaic and are now working together at a Mosaic Cafe.

Collins sincerely apologised to McGee for what happened.

"I said, 'Honestly, I have no explanation, all I can do is say I'm sorry,'" Collins said.

For McGee, "That was pretty much what I needed to hear."

The two men are now working together at Mosaic Christian Community Development Association and sharing testimonies on the importance of forgiveness and redemption.

Mosaic's mission is to "create opportunities for steps to greatness as we prepare for further education, life and work, while experiencing Christ's love."

Collins is now a pastor at a Wesleyan Church, according to Mosaic, while McGee has moved into his new home, the first time since 2010.

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