Former Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Torture and Abuse of Black Men

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Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to state and federal charges stemming from the torture and abuse of two Black men are set to be sentenced this week. The officers, known as “The Goon Squad,” admitted to conspiracy, deprivation of rights, obstruction of justice, and more. The victims filed a $400 million federal lawsuit, detailing the brutal incident. The officers face up to 30 years in prison for their crimes. Additional charges from a separate incident are also being addressed. The victims, along with their attorney, will testify during the sentencing proceedings. The officers’ actions were racially motivated, resulting in severe injuries to the victims.

Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers are set to be sentenced this week in federal court for their involvement in the torture and abuse of two Black men that took place in Braxton, Mississippi, just southeast of Jackson. The former officers, who referred to themselves as “The Goon Squad,” pleaded guilty to various charges including conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice.

The incident, which occurred on January 24, 2023, came to light after the victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, filed a $400 million federal lawsuit detailing the horrific ordeal they endured. The men were reportedly tortured for nearly two hours, with Jenkins being shot in the mouth during the ordeal. The federal sentencing proceedings for the six former officers are scheduled to take place over three days, starting on Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors are pushing for maximum sentences for the officers involved. Hunter Elward and Jeffrey Middleton will be sentenced on Tuesday, Christian Dedmon and Daniel Opdyke on Wednesday, and Joshua Hartfield and Brett McAlpin on Thursday. Jenkins and Parker, along with their attorney Malik Shabazz, are expected to speak at a news conference ahead of the sentencing proceedings and testify during the hearings.

The six officers faced a total of 13 felonies related to the torture and abuse of the two men. The officers are accused of using racial slurs during the violent acts, indicating a hateful and oppressive motivation based on race. The victims, Jenkins and Parker, have claimed that the officers’ actions were racially motivated.

In addition to the charges related to the January incident, three of the officers – Dedmon, Elward, and Opdyke – have also pleaded guilty to additional felonies stemming from a separate incident in December 2022. These charges include deprivation of rights under the color of law and in Dedmon’s case, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The former officers have also pleaded guilty to state charges related to the January 2023 incident. The officers face various state charges, including conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice, home invasion, aggravated assault, and first-degree obstruction of justice.

The abuse and shooting unfolded as the officers illegally entered the victims’ home and subjected them to a range of violent acts, including handcuffing, kicking, waterboarding, and tasing. The officers also attempted to sexually assault the victims before one of them shot Jenkins in the mouth. The officers then attempted to cover up the incident by destroying evidence and filing false reports.

The former officers were under the supervision of Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit filed by Jenkins and Parker. Bailey announced the firing of the deputies involved in the incident, with Hartfield resigning from the Richland Police Department. Bailey, who is not facing any charges, has expressed hope that the guilty pleas will bring some sense of justice to the victims.

In a statement, Bailey mentioned that he will not resign and is running unopposed for reelection in November. The victims, Jenkins and Parker, have expressed their struggles to have their story believed in the months leading up to the lawsuit, highlighting the importance of seeking justice for the injustices they endured.