Sentencing Ahead for 2 Former Mississippi Officers in Infamous 'Goon Squad' Case

Former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield and former Rankin County deputy Brett McAlpin, along with four other Mississippi law enforcement officers, pleaded guilty in 2023 to the torture of two Black men. They will be sentenced on Thursday.

The federal hearings in Jackson will conclude an emotional three days in court. During this time, the courtroom was filled with intense accounts of the brutal actions of a group of deputies known as the "Goon Squad."

Descriptions of a nightmare involving racially motivated beatings, torture, sexual assaults, and a mock execution have been shared by victims who confronted their tormentors. The rogue former officers are now facing prison sentences for what the FBI director called "atrocious" and "pure hell" acts.

Christian Dedmon and Daniel Opdyke

Christian Dedmon and Daniel Opdyke

Rogelio V. Solis/AP

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A fourth former Mississippi officer sentenced to 40 years in racially charged torture cases

On Wednesday, a judge handed down the toughest sentence yet to former Rankin County sheriff's deputy Christian Dedmon - 40 years in prison. The judge described Dedmon's actions as the most "shocking, brutal, and cruel acts imaginable."

Earlier on the same day, another former deputy named Daniel Opdyke received a sentence of over 17 years in prison.

Two former Rankin County sheriff’s deputies, Hunter Elward and Jeffrey Middleton, were sentenced on Tuesday. Elward, who shot Michael Jenkins in the mouth, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and gave an emotional apology to the victims in court. Middleton was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison.

Michael Corey Jenkins, left, and Eddie Terrell Parker enter the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday.

Michael Corey Jenkins, left, and Eddie Terrell Parker enter the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday.

Rogelio V. Solis/AP

In August, six former officers admitted to federal charges including conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice. One of the officers, Elward, also confessed to discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

These officers were part of a group of White law enforcement officials from Mississippi who unlawfully raided a home in Braxton in January 2023. Without a warrant, they targeted two Black men named Eddie Parker and Jenkins. The officers subjected them to racist insults, used Tasers on them even after they were handcuffed, physically assaulted them with various objects, and even shot Jenkins in the mouth.

The former officers left Jenkins on the floor to bleed while they planted a gun on the victims and planned their cover story, according to officials.

“This is a significant and groundbreaking moment for the state of Mississippi and the United States, as well as for victims of police brutality and abuse,” stated Malik Shabazz, the victims’ attorney, during a press conference on Wednesday.

The six defendants not only faced federal charges but also admitted guilt to various state charges last year. They are currently waiting for their sentencing related to the incident.

The former police officer did not speak directly to his victims.

Former Rankin County deputy Christian Dedmon at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Mississippi on August 14, 2023.

Former Rankin County deputy Christian Dedmon at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Mississippi on August 14, 2023.

Shabazz has called Dedmon "oppressive" and "sick." According to federal prosecutors, Dedmon is considered the most sexually perverted among the former officers and subjected victims to the most extreme sexual acts.

Prosecutors stated that Dedmon, who is 29 years old, was involved in numerous missions where he displayed a lack of hesitation in using excessive force. Despite his young age, Dedmon had the knowledge and experience to know better, but instead chose to hide behind his badge and gun, according to one prosecutor.

The prosecutor described Dedmon's actions as egregious, serious, and lawless.

The former deputy who was disgraced spoke to the court before being sentenced. However, unlike three other former cops who spoke before him, he did not directly address the victims or make eye contact.

During his address, Dedmon expressed remorse for his actions. He admitted to telling lies and causing pain to others, stating that he would never forgive himself for what he had done. Dedmon also expressed regret for his past actions, mentioning that he initially joined law enforcement with good intentions to make a positive impact.

Melvin Jenkins, the father of Dedmon, expressed his gratitude towards federal Judge Tom Lee after Dedmon's sentencing. He mentioned that in his 68 years of living in Mississippi, he had never witnessed justice being served in such a manner. The prison term given to Dedmon was described as unprecedented in the state.

In addition to the sentencing for the main charge, Dedmon also received a sentence on a separate federal charge that he had admitted guilt to. This charge was related to deprivation of rights under the color of law and discharging a firearm in connection to a violent crime that occurred in December 2022.

The US Justice Department announced in August that the charges in 2022 were related to an incident on December 4, 2022. During this incident, Dedmon beat and tased a white man, and even fired a gun near his head to force a confession.

Dedmon has stated that he is willing to take full responsibility for his actions.

Former Rankin County sheriff's deputies Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke, and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield are pictured from top left.

Before being sentenced to 17 years in prison on Wednesday, Opdyke, visibly emotional, spoke directly to the court and the victims. He sobbed, wiped away tears, and paused several times while delivering his statement to them.

Opdyke admitted his disbelief in how he quickly joined in and took part in using excessive force against Mr. Parker and Mr. Jenkins. He then looked at Parker, who was visibly upset, with tears streaming down his face.

During his court testimony, Opdyke expressed his remorse to Parker, acknowledging that no words could undo the harm he inflicted. He took full accountability for his actions and expressed deep regret for the pain and suffering he caused.

Parker, with tears streaming down his face, got up and left the courtroom alongside his aunt.

The judge also mandated that Opdyke receive mental health care, which includes anger management, as well as treatment for alcohol and drug issues. Additionally, the former deputy was instructed to pay $79,500 in restitution to the victims.

Opdyke’s attorneys requested a seven-year sentence for their client, citing the severe sexual and physical abuse he suffered as a child from his father.

According to one of Opdyke’s attorneys, he was abandoned by both parents and was subjected to rape by his father until he was 8 years old. In fact, Daniel has no recollection of his life before the age of 8.

Several of the officers, including Elward, Middleton, and Opdyke, were part of a deputy group known as the "Goon Squad" for their use of excessive force and failure to report it, according to federal prosecutors in court documents.

During the hearing on Wednesday, it was revealed that Opdyke was the one who handed over text messages from the "Goon Squad" group chat on WhatsApp to the federal government on April 12, 2023.

Opdyke’s attorney mentioned that the information provided greatly helped the investigation and played a key role in the defendants’ choice to plead guilty.

Right after Parker left the courtroom, he turned to Jenkins and admitted his wrongdoing. He directly addressed Jenkins, saying, "Mr. Jenkins, I must also take responsibility for my actions. I physically harmed you and attempted to force a sex toy into your mouth."

After that night, I know things will never be the same for you," he said. "I could have tried to stop it, but I didn't."

Jenkins remained stoic as Opdyke started crying. The victim's lawyer comforted him by putting an arm around his shoulder.

Opdyke humbly asked for forgiveness from his victims. He expressed deep regret for his actions and sincerely hoped that each of them could forgive him. Opdyke acknowledged that Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Parker were innocent victims, while he took on the role of the perpetrator.

The ex-deputy walked away sobbing, red in the face and looking down, shackles around his waist and wrists.

‘An hour and a half of hell’

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Why victim forgave ex-officer accused of torturing him

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On Tuesday, Hunter Elward and Jeffrey Middleton, two former Rankin County sheriff’s deputies, received their sentences.

Elward, who fired a shot at Jenkins's mouth, was given a 20-year prison sentence. He also offered a heartfelt apology to the victims during the court proceedings. Middleton, on the other hand, was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison.

Elward apologized to Mr. Jenkins, expressing regret for seeing him every day and night. He acknowledged the impact of his actions and took full responsibility.

Jenkins nodded. Parker stood up and replied: “We forgive you, man.”

After the hearing, however, Jenkins told CNN that Elward’s apology “meant nothing” to him.

Middleton took responsibility for his actions during his sentencing. He admitted to making serious mistakes that had a significant impact on his life and others. Middleton acknowledged that his choices were both morally and legally incorrect. He apologized to Jenkins, Parker, and their families, as well as his own family and the community of Rankin County. It was revealed that Middleton was the supervisor on duty during the attacks.

Parker expressed in his victim impact statement, as read by Shabazz, that he felt Middleton showed no remorse.

The officers visited a residence in Braxton in January 2023 following a report from a neighbor about multiple Black men staying at a White woman's house and engaging in suspicious activities.

Officers barged into a home without a search warrant, where two Black men were staying, and put them through a terrifying experience, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Parker, a close friend of the White homeowner, was residing at the house and assisting with her care. Jenkins, on the other hand, was staying at the residence temporarily.

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