Justice at Last for Victims of Mississippi’s “Goon Squad” Brutality

In a case that captured national attention, six white former law enforcement officers, previously part of a group they called the “Goon Squad,” admitted to the harrowing abuse and torture of Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, two Black men, in Mississippi. This admission led to their sentencing on state charges, ranging from 15 to 45 years in prison, for a crime that occurred in January 2023. The officers involved, former deputies of the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office and a former police officer from Richland, engaged in a racially motivated attack that included beatings, electrocution, and a mock execution.

This violent episode began with a complaint about Jenkins and Parker living with a white woman, which prompted Brett Morris McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton, Hunter Elward, Daniel Opdyke, and Joshua Hartfield to act without a legal warrant. Their actions were not only a gross misuse of power but also a stark manifestation of racial prejudice. The assault included verbal abuse, physical beatings, and degrading treatment with a sex toy. The incident culminated in a mock execution, with Elward firing a gun in Jenkins’ mouth, causing severe injury. These actions underline the extreme and personal nature of the attack, motivated by racial animosity.

The Path to Justice

The sentencing of these former officers is a significant moment in the fight against police brutality and racial injustice. It not only brings a measure of justice to Jenkins and Parker but also serves as a reminder of the deep-seated issues of racism within certain law enforcement communities. The state sentences, to be served concurrently with their federal sentences, include a financial restitution of $6,431 from each officer to the victims and the permanent surrender of their law enforcement certificates. This case, therefore, not only punishes the offenders but also seeks to prevent them from ever wielding such power again.

Victim impact statements read during the sentencing painted a vivid picture of the lasting trauma suffered by Jenkins and Parker. Jenkins, in his statement, described the attack as the worst day of his life, emphasizing the physical and emotional scars left by the “Goon Squad.” Parker’s statement highlighted the deep psychological impact, including constant fear and humiliation. These testimonies underscore the personal toll of the officers’ actions, beyond the physical injuries. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s statement underscored the violation of public trust and the collaborative efforts to secure justice, marking this sentencing as a critical step toward healing and accountability in a deeply troubling case of abuse and racial violence.