It has been reported that two New Orleans police officers were charged Thursday in connection with the July 2005 beating death of civilian Raymond Robair.

The department said on Thursday in a release that in a three-count indictment, the U. S. Justice Department alleges Melvin Williams beat and "kicked Robair and struck him with a baton, resulting in his death."

Robair suffered fractured ribs and a ruptured spleen in the July 30, 2005, incident and was pronounced dead at Charity Hospital later that day.

The report further said that Williams and Matthew Dean Moore were charged with obstructing justice by writing and submitting a false and inaccurate incident report regarding the incident. Moore faces a second count for allegedly making false statements to the FBI.

Williams faces the possibility of life in prison, while Moore could spend 25 years behind bars.

It was also noted by the report that the investigation into Robair's death is ongoing. (With Inputs from Agencies)