ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. official says the FBI has finished its investigation into the police shooting of an unarmed, black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Missouri.

The Justice Department has not yet announced whether it will file a federal civil rights charge against former police officer Darren Wilson. But experts have said the high legal standard of proof would make such a prosecution unlikely.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Justice Department has not yet made an official announcement.

Wilson was cleared in November by a grand jury in the Aug. 9 death of Michael Brown.

A separate Justice Department-led investigation into the practices of the Ferguson police department remains open.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Justice lawyers were preparing a memo recommending against prosecution.