Former Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Torturing Black Men in 'Goon Squad' Case

Six ex-law enforcement officers from Mississippi were sentenced to 15 to 45 years in prison for mistreating two Black men. These state sentences will be served at the same time as their federal sentences, which range from 10 to 40 years in prison.

The ex-officers had pleaded guilty after the torture of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker at a home in January 2023.

From left, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke and Jeffrey Middleton

From left, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke and Jeffrey Middleton

Jerome DeLoach/WLBT/AP

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Five former Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies – Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke and Jeffrey Middleton – along with former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield were sentenced in a Rankin County circuit court on Wednesday.

The group of White officers raided the home in Braxton without a warrant. They subjected the two Black men to racist comments, used Tasers on them after they had already been handcuffed, beat them with various objects, and one of them shot Jenkins in the mouth, according to prosecutors.

Shortly before his sentencing on Wednesday, Jenkins shared the horrifying experience he went through. His attorney, Malik Shabazz, read out a statement on his behalf.

In the statement, Jenkins recounted being subjected to racist slurs. He and Eddie were called derogatory names like "n***er," "monkey," and "boy." They were also falsely accused of dating White women.

Jenkins shared, "Hunter Elward shot me and then left me on the floor to bleed. They even tried to frame me and send me to prison." According to Jenkins, "They might have thought they killed me, but I am still here, Your Honor."

From top left, Former Rankin County Sheriff's deputies Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Christian Dedmon, Frin bottom left, Hunter Elward, Daniel Opdyke and ex-Richland Police officer Joshua Hartfield

Eddie Terrell Parker and his friend Michael Corey Jenkins were present at the sentencing hearing on Wednesday. They reacted to the six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who had abused them for hours.

Live updates: Mississippi’s ‘Goon Squad’ members sentenced

What will happen to the officers

Each of the ex-officers faced state charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.

Civil co-counsel Trent Walker, center, speaks to reporters on the sentencing of the third former Rankin County law enforcement officer, while his clients, Eddie Terrell Parker, left, Michael Corey Jenkins, listen while outside the federal courthouse in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Former Rankin County deputy Daniel Opdyke was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for his role with five other now former Rankin County law enforcement officers, in the racially motivated, violent torture of Parker and Jenkins. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Former Rankin County Sheriff's deputies Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, and Christian Dedmon are pictured from the top left. In the bottom left, we have Hunter Elward, Daniel Opdyke, and ex-Richland Police officer Joshua Hartfield.

WLBT

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Dedmon was also charged with home invasion, and Elward was also charged with home invasion and aggravated assault.

McAlpin, Middleton, Opdyke, and Hartfield were charged with first-degree obstruction of justice. Moving forward, the state sentences will be served at the same time as the federal sentences. However, due to the state charges, some of the ex-officers will have to spend more time in prison.

Elward received a 45-year prison sentence in state court, to be served at the same time as his 20-year federal sentence.

Middleton was given a 20-year prison term in state court, which will be served concurrently with his 17.5-year federal sentence.

– Opdyke was sentenced in state court to 20 years in prison, to run concurrently with his federal sentence of 17.5 years.

Joshua Hartfield and Brett McAlpin

Civil co-counsel Trent Walker, along with his clients Eddie Terrell Parker and Michael Corey Jenkins, spoke to reporters outside the federal courthouse in Jackson, Miss., on March 20, 2024. They were discussing the sentencing of former Rankin County deputy Daniel Opdyke, who was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for his involvement in the racially motivated and violent torture of Parker and Jenkins. Opdyke was one of six former Rankin County law enforcement officers responsible for the heinous act. (Photo credit: Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

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Hartfield was given a 15-year prison sentence in state court, which would be served at the same time as his federal sentence of 10 years.

Dedmon received a 25-year prison sentence in state court, to be served concurrently with his federal sentence of 40 years.

McAlpin was sentenced to 20 years in state court, to be served at the same time as his federal sentence of just over 27 years.

The hearing on Wednesday morning occurred in a circuit court located in the center of Brandon, the seat of Rankin County. It is situated across from a Confederate monument and approximately 20 miles away from the residence where Parker and Jenkins were subjected to racially motivated torture.

The NAACP initiated a national petition to take down the 1907 monument, featuring a statue of a Confederate soldier, as they believe it represents years of racist culture in the county.

Here is how the abuse unfolded:

The torture incident took place on January 24, 2023, in Braxton, located just southeast of Jackson. It was brought to light when the two victims filed a $400 million federal lawsuit, which is currently pending. Many of the allegations outlined in the lawsuit were also mentioned in the federal charging document.

According to the two men, six law enforcement officers unlawfully entered the home of a woman named Parker, whom he was assisting in caring for and where he also resided. They physically assaulted and used Tasers on Jenkins and Parker, as well as attempted to sexually assault them during a brutal two-hour ordeal. The situation escalated when Elward pointed a gun at Jenkins' mouth and fatally shot him.

Joshua Hartfield and Brett McAlpin

Rogelio V. Solis/AP

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All 6 rogue Mississippi officers involved in the 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men received long prison sentences on what was described as a momentous day.

The officers initially responded to a call from a White neighbor who reported seeing several Black men at a White woman's home and suspicious behavior. However, after investigating, prosecutors found no evidence of any crime.

Three deputies, Elward, Middleton, and Opdyke, were identified by federal prosecutors as members of a group known as "The Goon Squad" for their use of excessive force without reporting it.

In August, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch stated that the violent actions of these deputies not only caused physical harm to the victims but also shattered the trust between law enforcement and the community. Fitch emphasized that such abuse of power will not be accepted.

The former officers admitted to committing federal crimes including conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under the color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice. Elward was charged with the most serious offense for firing a gun during the torture incident.

During court proceedings, attorneys from the Justice Department revealed how Middleton proudly displayed emblems from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department labeled "Goon Squad," featuring a Confederate flag and a noose.

This is a developing and will be updated.

Editor's P/S:

The sentencing of six former