A former Mississippi sheriff's deputy who was part of a "Goon Squad" was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for torturing two Black men last year after a neighbor reported that they were staying with a white lady.
U.S. District Judge Tom Lee sentenced Hunter Elward to 241 months. Lee is also scheduled to sentence five former police officers who acknowledged to racist abuse of Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker.
Lee termed Elward's conduct “egregious and despicable” and said a “sentence at the top of the guidelines range is justified — is more than justified” before sentencing. He added: “The defendant deserves it. The community and defendant's victims deserve it.”
Six people broke into a Rankin County residence without a warrant in January 2023 and assaulted Jenkins and Parker with stun guns, a sex toy, and other items. Elward admits to jamming a gun into Jenkins' mouth and fired in a botched “mock execution”.
The tragedy began with a racist call for extrajudicial violence on Jan. 24, 2023. Rankin County Deputy Brett McAlpin was notified by a white individual that two Black men were residing with a white woman in Braxton, Mississippi. McAlpin informed Deputy Christian Dedmon, who texted “The Goon Squad,” a group of white deputies eager to use extreme force.
Once inside, they chained Jenkins and Parker and poured milk, wine, and chocolate syrup on their faces. They made them strip and shower together to hide the debris. Racist remarks and stun guns were used to taunt the victims.
The coverup involved planting drugs and a gun after Jenkins was shot in the mouth during a fake execution. Jenkins and Parker faced months of false charges. Jenkins and Parker urged for the “stiffest of sentences” at a Monday news conference before sentencing.
“It’s been very hard for me, for us,” Jenkins added. “We hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” Broken jaw and lacerated tongue plagued Jenkins. He still struggles to eat and communicate.
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