August 6th 2023.
Six former Mississippi police officers have pleaded guilty to state charges following a violent raid on two Black men in January. The group, who referred to themselves as "The Goon Squad," was accused of assault, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
Christian Dedmon, Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, and Daniel Opdyke were all former Rankin County Sheriff's Department officers, while Joshua Hartfield, a former Richland police officer, was off-duty when he participated.
The raid lasted over 90 minutes and included the officers using objects like a sex toy and a stun gun to assault Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker. The victims reported that the deputies handcuffed them, used the stun gun, and poured milk over their heads. During what was described as a "mock execution," one of the victims was shot. Instead of providing medical aid, the officers allegedly conspired to plant and tamper with evidence.
In February, the Justice Department opened an investigation and filed civil rights charges against the officers. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland commented, “The defendants in this case tortured and inflicted unspeakable harm on their victims.”
On August 14, the former officers are scheduled to plead guilty to the state charges. Deputy state attorney general Mary-Helen Wall shared that they will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Tom Lee in mid-November 2023.
Dedmon and Elward each face a maximum sentence of 120 years plus life in prison and $2.75 million in fines. Hartfield could serve up to 80 years and pay a fine of $1.5 million, while McAlpin is looking at 90 years and a $1.75 million penalty. Middleton is facing 80 years and a $1.5 million fine, and Opdyke, the officer who used the sex toy, is facing 100 years and a $2 million fine.
The raid and its aftermath have caused a community uproar, and the guilty pleas of the former officers are a step towards justice. It is a reminder that these kinds of incidents will not be tolerated.
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