“White Former Police Officers Plead Guilty to Torturing and Assaulting Black Men, Faces Life in Prison”

In Mississippi, six white former police officers known as the “Goon Squad” have pleaded guilty to raiding a home and torturing two Black men. The officers face life in prison for handcuffing, beating, tasing, sexually abusing, and racially insulting the victims. They also left one of the men with serious injuries after shooting him in the mouth. The officers had a history of violent attacks on Black men and had been getting away with their actions for years. This case marks the first time a white Mississippi police officer has been held criminally responsible for harming a Black person. Democracy Now! reported

AMY GOODMAN: This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. A warning to our audience: This next segment contains descriptions and images of police violence.

In Mississippi, six white former police officers, known as the “Goon Squad,” have pleaded guilty to raiding a home and brutally torturing two Black men earlier this year. The officers, who face life in prison, initially tried to cover up their actions. The raid took place on January 24th in Braxton, Mississippi, after a white neighbor called the officers to complain about Black men staying in the home. Without a warrant, the officers burst into the home and subjected the two men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, to handcuffing, beatings, taserings, sexual abuse, and racial slurs. One officer even put a gun in Jenkins’ mouth and pulled the trigger, causing severe injuries. After the attack, Jenkins was falsely charged with a felony based on planted drugs, but the charges were dropped when the lie was exposed. The officers also stole surveillance video from the house, and their body cameras were turned off during the raid.

The officers had a history of violence against Black men, with at least four other incidents reported since 2019, two of which resulted in death. The officers used the name “Goon Squad” to reflect their willingness to use excessive force and avoid reporting it.

The case was brought to light through the efforts of Black Lawyers for Justice, Malik Shabazz (attorney for Jenkins and Parker), and Mississippi counsel Trent Walker. They worked tirelessly to gather evidence, apply legal pressure, and advocate to the U.S. Justice Department. Last week, the six officers pleaded guilty to 14 federal criminal charges, with more state charges to follow. This marks the first time a white police officer in Mississippi has been held criminally responsible for harming a Black person. However, the history of police brutality in the state, particularly under Sheriff Bryan Bailey, suggests that more investigations are needed.

Despite the pain and suffering endured by Jenkins and Parker, they expressed relief at the officers’ guilty pleas. Jenkins, who still suffers from physical injuries, never thought they would see justice. Parker, who tried to stay out of trouble to avoid such situations, feels vindicated by the officers finally facing consequences. Both men were appalled that the officers referred to themselves as the “Goon Squad” while claiming to protect the public.

Shabazz’s lawsuit against the officers also highlights the case of Damien Cameron, who died in 2021 after being taken into custody by the same Rankin County sheriff’s deputies involved in the attack on Jenkins and Parker. Cameron’s mother, Monica Lee, spoke out against the violence and brutality her son experienced in the hands of these officers. The case underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform within the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office and the wider law enforcement system..