By Trend News Line 2024-03-19 15:41:00.
Former Mississippi Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Torturing Black Men
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A former Mississippi sheriff’s deputy, Hunter Elward, was sentenced to approximately 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Tom Lee for his involvement in torturing two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker. Elward was part of a group of six former law enforcement officers who admitted to subjecting the victims to numerous acts of racist torture in January 2023.
The horrific incident began with a racist call for extrajudicial violence, prompting the group to burst into a Rankin County home without a warrant. The victims were assaulted with stun guns, a sex toy, and various objects. Elward admitted to shoving a gun into Jenkins’ mouth and firing in a “mock execution” that went awry. The perpetrators poured milk, alcohol, and chocolate syrup over the victims’ faces, forced them to strip naked and shower together, and used racial slurs while shocking them with stun guns.
Following the brutal attack, false charges were placed against Jenkins and Parker for months. Jenkins suffered a lacerated tongue and broken jaw, leading to ongoing difficulties with speaking and eating. Both victims called for the “stiffest of sentences” ahead of the sentencing hearings, emphasizing the emotional and physical trauma they continue to endure.
The former officers, including McAlpin, Dedmon, Middleton, Opdyke, and Hartfield, pleaded guilty to charges such as conspiracy against rights, obstructions of justice, and deprivation of rights under color of law. They were part of a group known as “The Goon Squad” within the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, with Elward identified as one of its members.
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Despite some attorneys not responding to requests for comment, Jason Kirschberg, representing Opdyke, stated that his client accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse for the pain caused to the victims. The officers face potential sentences ranging from 80 to 120 years in prison and significant fines.
The case has garnered national attention, with Malik Shabazz, the attorney for Jenkins and Parker, highlighting the need for harsh consequences for such criminal conduct. The investigation by The Associated Press revealed a pattern of violent encounters involving the deputies and Black men since 2019, underscoring the severity of the crimes committed.
The victims have filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department and called for Sheriff Bryan Bailey’s resignation. Bailey, who initially remained silent on the matter, promised changes within the department after the officers pleaded guilty in August.
The sentencing of the former officers serves as a pivotal moment in addressing systemic racism and holding law enforcement accountable for their actions. Jenkins and Parker’s quest for justice reflects a larger struggle for equality and justice in Mississippi and across the United States..
Mississippi deputy racially motivated torture Black men
Mississippi deputy sentenced racially motivated torture Black men.
