Accident – Death – Obituary News : Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to state and federal charges stemming from the torture and abuse last year of two Black men, one of whom was shot in the mouth, are set to be sentenced in federal court this week.
The incident took place on January 24, 2023, in Braxton, Mississippi, a small town located just southeast of Jackson. This harrowing event came to light after the victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, bravely filed a $400 million federal lawsuit, shedding light on the disturbing actions of the former officers.
These former law enforcement officers, who identified themselves as “The Goon Squad,” pleaded guilty in August to charges that included conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice. Additionally, they pleaded guilty to state charges related to the same incident.
The five former Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies, Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, Jeffrey Middleton, along with former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield, will face sentencing in Jackson before Southern District of Mississippi U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee. The sentencing proceedings are scheduled to take place over three days, beginning on Tuesday.
During the incident, the victims, Jenkins and Parker, endured unimaginable torture at the hands of these officers for nearly two hours. The horrific ordeal culminated in Jenkins being shot in the mouth, leaving him with life-altering injuries.
Federal prosecutors are seeking maximum sentences for the former officers involved in this heinous crime. Elward and Middleton are set to be sentenced on Tuesday, followed by Dedmon and Opdyke on Wednesday, and Hartfield and McAlpin on Thursday. Jenkins and Parker, accompanied by their lead attorney Malik Shabazz, are expected to speak at a news conference to share their harrowing experiences ahead of the sentencing proceedings.
The six officers collectively face a total of 13 felonies related to the torture and abuse inflicted upon Jenkins and Parker. Prosecutors revealed that some of the officers referred to themselves as “The Goon Squad” due to their propensity for using excessive force and failing to report it.
In a separate incident from December 2022, three of the officers, Dedmon, Elward, and Opdyke, pleaded guilty to additional felonies. These charges stem from an incident where Dedmon beat and tased a man and fired a gun near his head to coerce a confession. All three officers will also be sentenced on these charges this week.
The former officers have also pleaded guilty to state charges related to the same January 2023 incident, awaiting sentencing. These charges include conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice, home invasion, aggravated assault, and first-degree obstruction of justice.
The brutal abuse and shooting that Jenkins and Parker endured unfolded in a horrifying manner. The officers entered the victims’ home, subjected them to physical and psychological torture, and eventually shot Jenkins in the mouth, causing severe injuries. The officers then proceeded to fabricate a cover story, tamper with evidence, and file false reports to conceal their heinous actions.
As the victims continue to seek justice, the former officers involved in this egregious act are facing the consequences of their actions. The sentencing proceedings this week mark a crucial step towards accountability and closure for Jenkins, Parker, and their families.
In a society where trust in law enforcement is paramount, the actions of these former officers have shaken the foundation of justice. The courage of Jenkins and Parker in coming forward with their story serves as a beacon of hope for accountability and reform within the criminal justice system..