Brandon, Mississippi – Sentencing has been completed for six former white officers in Mississippi who admitted to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men. Recently, U.S. District Judge Tom Lee sentenced high-ranking former deputy Brett McAlpin, 53, and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield, 32, for their involvement in the attack, which included assaults, stun guns, and a disturbing incident where one victim was shot in the mouth.
McAlpin expressed remorse before his sentencing, apologizing to victims Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker for the horrific ordeal they endured. In addition, four other former law enforcement officers involved in the attack have also been sentenced by Judge Lee. Christian Dedmon received 40 years in prison, Hunter Elward over 20 years, while Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke were each sentenced to 17.5 years in prison.
The attack, described by Judge Lee as “egregious and despicable,” involved beatings, stun gun use, and a mock execution where a victim was shot in the mouth. The incident began with a racist call for violence against the Black men staying at a house in Braxton, which prompted the officers to carry out the brutal attack.
The officers subjected the victims to racial slurs, physical abuse, and humiliation. Furthermore, they orchestrated a coverup, pressuring one victim to remain silent in exchange for freedom. The deputies planted drugs and fabricated charges against the victims, maintaining a culture of corruption within the sheriff’s office.
In a community with a significant Black population, the officers showed clear disdain for the victims and attempted to conceal their actions. Several deputies implicated in the incident were fired by Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, who later attributed their actions to rogue behavior.
Despite the guilty pleas and promises of change, Bailey’s leadership was called into question by Jenkins and Parker, who filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the department. Bailey was reelected without opposition, raising concerns about accountability within law enforcement. The case highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and justice in addressing police misconduct and systemic issues within the criminal justice system.