Jackson, Mississippi – Two former Mississippi deputies were sentenced in federal court for their involvement in the brutal torture of two Black men. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee handed down sentences to Christian Dedmon and Daniel Opdyke, who were part of a group of white officers that broke into a home and committed heinous acts of violence against the victims.
Dedmon received a 40-year prison sentence, while Opdyke was sentenced to 17.5 years. The judge condemned their actions as shocking, brutal, and cruel. The victims, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of the former deputies and other officers.
During the sentencing, Dedmon expressed remorse but did not make eye contact with the victims. Jenkins, who was shot in the mouth during the attack, described Dedmon as the worst example of a police officer. The judge also sentenced two other former officers, Hunter Elward and Jeffrey Middleton, to nearly 20 years and 17.5 years, respectively, for their roles in the violent incident.
The six former officers, including Opdyke and Dedmon, pleaded guilty to the charges last August. They admitted to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing Jenkins and Parker. The victims were subjected to racial slurs, physical violence, and even a mock execution involving a gun.
The perpetrators, who referred to themselves as the “Goon Squad,” carried out the attack based on a racist call for extrajudicial violence. The victims were forced to strip naked, shower together, and endure other forms of humiliation and abuse. False charges were also filed against Jenkins and Parker as part of a cover-up attempt by the officers.
Opdyke, who was the first to admit to the crimes, detailed the officers’ plan and actions in an encrypted text thread. He cited a history of childhood trauma and the influence of older deputies as contributing factors to his involvement in the misconduct. Meanwhile, Dedmon acknowledged his wrongdoings and expressed regret for his actions.
The former officers’ actions were condemned by Attorney General Merrick Garland as a heinous attack on citizens they were supposed to protect. The victims, Jenkins and Parker, have since filed a civil lawsuit against the department, seeking accountability for the officers’ actions. The case has sparked outrage and calls for justice in the community.
As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the former officers will face the consequences of their actions. The sentencing of Dedmon and Opdyke marks a step towards accountability for the egregious acts of violence committed against Jenkins, Parker, and other victims of police misconduct.