“Goon Squad” Ex-Cops Sentenced

Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Brutal Attack

Six former law enforcement officers in Mississippi were sentenced this week for a violent attack on two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker. All six officers pleaded guilty to federal charges.

According to court documents, a neighbor reportedly complained to law enforcement about Jenkins and Parker’s presence at a residence in Rankin County, Mississippi. The exact nature of the complaint remains unclear from publicly available information.

On the night of the attack in January 2023, the officers, who were all white, entered the residence without a warrant. Court documents detail that the officers subjected Jenkins and Parker to a sustained assault. This assault included the use of conducted energy devices, commonly referred to as stun guns. The documents also mention the use of a sex toy in a humiliating manner during the attack.

The extent of the physical and emotional injuries inflicted on Jenkins and Parker is not publicly available due to ongoing legal proceedings.

U.S. District Judge Tom Lee presided over the sentencing hearings. He condemned the officers’ actions, calling them “egregious” and “deplorable.”

The sentences for the officers ranged from 10 to 40 years in prison. Christian Dedmon received the longest sentence, with prosecutors identifying him as the leader in the attack.

The “Goon Squad” victims were two Black men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, who were brutally attacked in their Mississippi home in January 2023.

This case has drawn national attention, highlighting concerns about police brutality and racial bias within law enforcement. The investigation is likely ongoing, and further details about the neighbor’s complaint and the attack itself may be released in the future.

• Christian Dedmon: 40 years (identified as the ringleader by prosecutors)
• Hunter Elward: Over 20 years
• Brett McAlpin: Approximately 27 years
• Jeffrey Middleton & Daniel Opdyke: Each received 17.5 years
• Joshua Hartfield: Approximately 10 years