Title: Six Former Mississippi Law Officers Plead Guilty to Racist Torture of Black Men
Date: [Date]
Brandon, Miss. – In a shocking development, six white former Mississippi law officers have pleaded guilty to state charges for the racist torture of two Black men. This comes after the officers had recently admitted their guilt in a connected federal civil rights case.
According to prosecutors, these officers dubbed themselves the “Goon Squad” and were notorious for their use of excessive force and efforts to cover it up. The incident in question involved the officers entering a house without a warrant in January. They proceeded to handcuff and assault the two victims using stun guns, a sex toy, and other objects. Throughout a horrifying 90-minute ordeal, the officers incessantly mocked the victims with racial slurs.
To further perpetuate their cover-up, the officers planted drugs and a gun, leading to false charges that could have resulted in one victim being imprisoned for years. However, their conspiracy began to unravel months later when one of them confessed, prompting confessions from the others.
Each officer has agreed to sentences recommended by state prosecutors, which range from five to 30 years. It is important to note that the judge is not bound by these recommendations. The time served for the state charges will run concurrently with the federal sentences they are scheduled to receive. These individuals could face longer prison sentences in federal court come November.
The six men involved include five former Rankin County sheriff’s deputies – Brett McAlpin, Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton, and Daniel Opdyke – as well as a police officer from the city of Richland, Joshua Hartfield. All six have pleaed guilty to state charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to hinder prosecution.
Moreover, Dedmon and Elward, who kicked in a door during the incident, have also pleaded guilty to additional charges of home invasion. Elward specifically pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for shoving a gun into one victim’s mouth and pulling the trigger, referred to as a “mock execution” by authorities.
The victims, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, were present during the guilty pleas. They sat just feet away from the families of their attackers. Monica Lee, the mother of Damien Cameron (another Black man who died after being assaulted by Elward), embraced both Jenkins and Parker.
These incidents of police violence in Rankin County shed light on a police culture that some residents argue gives officers free reign to abuse their power. In fact, an associated Press investigation linked some of the officers to at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019, resulting in two deaths and one individual suffering lasting injuries. Following this investigation, the Justice Department launched a civil rights probe in February.
Located in Mississippi, Rankin County’s majority-white suburbs have witnessed an influx of white flight from the capital city of Jackson, which boasts one of the highest percentages of Black residents amongst major U.S. cities. The officers involved in this case warned Jenkins and Parker to “go back to Jackson or ‘their side’ of the Pearl River,” illustrating the deeply rooted racial bias at play.
Jenkins and Parker were targeted due to a complaint from a white neighbor who alleged that two Black men were staying at a residence with a white woman. In reality, Parker was a childhood friend and caregiver to the homeowner, Kristi Walley, who has been paralyzed since her teenage years. Walley attests to Parker being a blessing and a pillar of support in her life.
Although they have left Mississippi, Jenkins and Parker are uncertain about returning for an extended period. Nonetheless, they have found solace in the fact that one aspect of the justice system appears to have worked.
The guilty pleas have brought a semblance of justice, but the road to healing remains long for both victims. Jenkins still experiences difficulties speaking due to his injuries sustained during the incident, with a gunshot lacerating his tongue and breaking his jaw. Despite the challenges, both Jenkins and Parker expressed gratitude that justice prevailed, emphasizing the importance of truth outweighing lies and fabricated stories.
Kristen Clarke, who oversees the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, underscored how these officers undermined the trust within the community they were meant to serve. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch unequivocally stated that the abuse of power exhibited by these officers will not be tolerated.
Moving forward, it is crucial to reflect on the systemic issues that allowed such a gross violation of civil rights to occur. Efforts should focus on ensuring accountability, combating racial bias, and fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
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Note: Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him at [@mikergoldberg].