JACKSON, Miss. | The fourth former Mississippi sheriff’s deputy had faced sentencing Wednesday for his involvement in the racist torture of two Black men by a group of white officers known as the “Goon Squad,” receiving a 40-year federal prison term.
Christian Dedmon, age 29, expressed remorse without looking at the victims, apologizing and expressing self-forgiveness for the pain he caused.
All six former officers involved in the case admitted guilt last year. They acknowledged subjecting Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to various racist torture methods in January 2023. Prosecutors revealed that Dedmon assaulted the men with a sex toy and made threats of further brutality.
U.S. District Judge Tom Lee’s statement labeled Dedmon’s actions as “shocking, brutal, and cruel,” pointing out the severity of the attacks on Jenkins, Parker, and another white individual during a prior traffic stop.
Jenkins, still struggling to speak due to his injuries, conveyed through his lawyer that Dedmon’s conduct was particularly heinous among the assailants.
The sentencing unfolded emotionally, with former officer Daniel Opdyke, age 28, expressing deep remorse before receiving a 17.5-year sentence. Facing the victims, Opdyke reflected on his transformation into a “monster” and the lifelong impact of his actions.
The judge acknowledged Opdyke’s participation in the attack, emphasizing his active involvement, despite possible lack of full awareness initially. Opdyke and Dedmon, along with four others, were Rankin County sheriff’s deputies during the assault.
Additional former deputy Brett McAlpin and ex-Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield are anticipated to receive sentencing on the following day.
Before federal prosecutors filed the charges in August, an investigative report by The Associated Press in March tied some deputies to violent incidents involving Black men since 2019, including fatalities and injuries.
The former officers ultimately admitted to the torturing of Jenkins and Parker, with Elward, in a plea deal, confessing to a failed mock execution with a gun inside Jenkins’ mouth.
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the “heinous attack” on the victims, emphasizing the breach of public trust by the officers.
The events unfolded following a racist apel for violence initiated by a white individual in Rankin County, tasking the deputies with a mission that escalated to verbal abuse, physical assaults, and false charges against Jenkins and Parker.
The incidents shed light on a culture of misconduct within the sheriff’s office, prompting questions about systemic failures in leadership and accountability.
As the legal proceedings continue, the victims and their families seek justice and accountability, calling for reform and systemic changes to prevent such atrocities from recurring in the future.