Jackson, Miss. – Two former Mississippi deputies were visibly emotional in court as a federal judge handed down their sentences for their involvement in a heinous crime. Christian Dedmon, 29, received a 40-year prison term, while Daniel Opdyke, 28, was sentenced to 17.5 years by U.S. District Judge Tom Lee on Wednesday.
Judge Lee condemned the pair for their cruelty in breaking into a home with four other white officers and torturing two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins, and Eddie Terrell Parker. Dedmon, in particular, was singled out by the judge for carrying out unimaginably brutal attacks against the victims.
Both former deputies expressed remorse during the sentencing, with Dedmon apologizing and stating that he could never forgive himself for the pain he caused. Jenkins, who struggles to speak due to injuries sustained during the attack, described Dedmon as the worst example of a police officer in the United States, according to a statement read by his lawyer.
The former deputies, including Opdyke, previously pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident last August. Prosecutors revealed that the group broke into the home without a warrant and tortured Jenkins and Parker following a complaint from a neighbor.
Opdyke, who also wept in court, acknowledged the impact of his actions and expressed regret for the transformation he underwent that night. Jenkins and Parker, the victims of the attack, displayed profound emotional distress during the proceedings, with Jenkins describing himself as “broken” and “ashamed.”
The former officers, who referred to themselves as the “Goon Squad,” were exposed by an investigation linking them to a series of violent encounters with Black men since 2019. The ordeal began with a racist call for violence against the victims, culminating in a horrific attack that left lasting physical and emotional scars.
Further revelations during the court proceedings shed light on the extent of the officers’ misconduct, including the planting of evidence to frame victims and the systematic use of excessive force. The community, particularly with a significant Black population, was left reeling from the actions of those sworn to protect them.
As the legal process unfolds, questions about leadership and accountability within the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office continue to arise. Victims like Jenkins and Parker seek justice and closure, while the former deputies face the consequences of their reprehensible actions. The sentencing of Dedmon and Opdyke serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against police brutality and systemic racism in the United States.