Mississippi deputies, dubbed ‘Goon Squad,’ admit guilt in state charges.
Six Former Mississippi Sheriff’s Deputies Plead Guilty to Charges
Six former Mississippi sheriff’s deputies, known as the “Goon Squad,” have recently pleaded guilty to a range of state charges. The charges include aggravated assault, home invasion, obstruction of justice, and hindering a prosecution. This case involves five former deputies from the Rankin County Sheriff’s office and one former officer from the Richland Police Department.
The deputies involved in this case are Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton, Hunter Elward, and Daniel Opdyke. Additionally, Joshua Hartfield, a Richland City Police Officer, was also present during the incident.
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State Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who brought the charges, emphasized that abuse of power will not be tolerated in Mississippi. In a press release, Fitch expressed gratitude for the collaboration with state and federal counterparts in delivering justice for the victims. She acknowledged that the actions of these six officers have damaged the trust between law enforcement and the community. However, Fitch also highlighted that the majority of men and women in uniform are dedicated to protecting Mississippians.
Federal Charges and Brutal Acts
In addition to the state charges, the defendants have also pleaded guilty to federal charges, including civil rights conspiracy, deprivation of rights under the color of law, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. During court proceedings, three of the defendants admitted to being part of the ”Goon Squad,” a group known for using excessive force without reporting it.
The incident that led to these charges involved the defendants entering a home without a warrant and subjecting two black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, to abuse and torture. The defendants handcuffed, arrested, and assaulted the victims, using racial slurs and a stun gun. They also forced the victims to ingest liquids, assaulted them with a sex object, and planted a gun on one of them. Furthermore, they destroyed evidence, submitted false reports, and made false statements to investigators.
Additional Charges and Lawsuit
According to The Associated Press, all officers except for Hunter Elward are facing up to five years in prison. Christian Dedmon and Hunter Elward have pleaded guilty to additional charges of home invasion. Elward, who performed a “mock execution” by shoving a gun in Jenkins’ mouth and pulling the trigger, faces additional charges of aggravated assault, which could result in up to 30 years in prison.
The incident caught the attention of attorney Malik Shabazz, who filed a $400 million lawsuit against the defendants. Shabazz described the assault as one of the worst incidents of police misconduct in U.S. history and emphasized the need for accountability in policing.
Sheriff’s Response
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey expressed hope that the guilty pleas would bring some sense of justice to the victims. He reiterated the department’s commitment to holding accountable any deputy or suspect who breaks the law. Bailey also emphasized the importance of an unbiased and impartial investigation, which uncovered the criminal actions of the former officers. The department will continue to evaluate its policies, procedures, and training with the assistance of outside agencies.
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