On Wednesday, former Mississippi sheriff’s deputies Daniel Opdyke and Christian Dedmon were the latest members of the self-described Rankin County “Goon Squad” to be sentenced to jail for the 2023 torture of two Black men.
U.S. District Judge Tom Lee sentenced former deputy Christian Dedmon to 40 years in federal prison on Wednesday afternoon for his role in Michael Corey Jenkins’ and Eddie Parker’s lengthy beating and torture.
Dedmon said he joined law enforcement to “make a difference” and wished he could undo the harm he had done. Federal prosecutors claimed Dedmon was the most perverted of the six “Goon Squad” deputies and had a history of using excessive force.
Dedmon, 29, received the longest sentence of the six deputies accused of torturing the two victims. Dedmon also admitted to sexually assaulting one of the men and is awaiting punishment in state court after pleading guilty in August to conspiracy to obstruct justice and house invasion.
On Wednesday, Lee condemned Opdyke to 17 and a half years in jail. Opdyke must also get therapy for substance misuse and mental health difficulties, as well as pay the victims $79,500 in restitution.
On Tuesday, two further former deputies were sentenced. Hunter Elward received 20 years in jail. Jeffrey Middleton was sentenced to almost 17 years.
Joshua Hartfield and Brett McAlpin, the surviving former deputies, are slated to be sentenced Thursday.
Elward apologized during his sentence on Tuesday. Parker claimed he forgives him, but Jenkins later told CNN that Elward’s apology meant nothing.
Middleton apologized as well.
But Parker’s victim’s statement, given in court by attorney Mark Shabazz, stated that he did not believe Middleton was regretful.
In August, the six individuals pled guilty in federal court to conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice.
Last year, the six former deputies stormed into a private residence in Braxton, Mississippi, without a warrant and abused the Black men for almost 90 minutes, using a Taser on them over a dozen times and shouting racial slurs against them.
During a simulated execution, Elward accidentally shot a gun into Jenkin’s mouth, causing lifelong injury.
Both males had guns held to their heads.
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey fired the deputies in June 2023 for their offenses against Jenkins and Parker.
The victims launched a $400 million lawsuit, claiming wrongful confinement and abuse.
In addition to being shot and charged with a Taser, the lawsuit claims the men were waterboarded, punched while shackled naked, and subjected to sexual assault attempts.