JACKSON, Miss. – In a federal court in Mississippi, two former deputies were overcome with emotion as a judge handed down their sentences for their roles in a horrifying attack on two Black men. The judge sentenced Christian Dedmon to 40 years in prison and Daniel Opdyke to 17.5 years, condemning their actions as cruel and brutal.
The attack, carried out by six white officers, involved breaking into a home without a warrant and subjecting Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to racially motivated torture. The officers, who referred to themselves as the “Goon Squad,” poured substances over the victims’ faces, forced them to strip naked and shower together, and used racial slurs while shocking them with stun guns.
During the sentencing, Dedmon expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he could never forgive himself for the pain he caused. Jenkins, who was shot in the mouth during the attack, described Dedmon as the most aggressive and wicked of the officers involved.
Other officers involved in the attack, including Hunter Elward and Jeffrey Middleton, were also sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Elward, who shot Jenkins in the mouth, admitted to participating in a “mock execution” that went wrong.
The officers’ crimes came to light after a long cover-up, during which false charges were brought against Jenkins and Parker. Their actions were condemned by Attorney General Merrick Garland, who called the attack heinous.
Opdyke, one of the defendants, tearfully expressed regret in court, acknowledging the harm he had caused. He attributed his actions to a culture of misconduct within the sheriff’s office, where he saw older deputies as father figures.
The investigation into the attack uncovered a pattern of violence by some of the officers involved. The victims were subjected to extreme brutality, including sexual assault and false charges. The case has sparked outrage in the community, with calls for accountability and reform within law enforcement.
As the former officers face justice for their crimes, the victims continue to seek justice and healing. The impact of the attack has left lasting scars on the victims and raised questions about the culture of violence within the law enforcement agency. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for accountability and reform in policing.