TL/DR –
Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers have pleaded guilty to charges related to the torture of two Black men in January 2023. The officers, who referred to themselves as “The Goon Squad”, raided a house without a warrant, subjected two Black residents to racist abuse, physical assault, and staged a mock execution which resulted in a gunshot wound. The officers have been sentenced to lengthy terms in federal prison, with the third officer, Daniel Opdyke, receiving a sentence of over 17 years.
Daniel Opdyke, Ex-Mississippi Officer Sentenced for Torture of Black Men
Former Mississippi law enforcement officer, Daniel Opdyke, who pleaded guilty in the torture of two Black men in 2023, received a sentence of over 17 years in federal prison earlier this week.
Opdyke, previously a deputy with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, confessed to federal charges including conspiracy against rights and obstruction of justice in relation to the January 24 incident.
According to officials, a group of White Mississippi law enforcement officers, including Opdyke, raided a home without a warrant, subjected two Black residents to racist abuse, physical assault, and a shooting, before trying to concoct a cover story. Details can be found here.
All the involved officers are facing legal consequences for their horrific actions. Another defendant, former deputy Christian Dedmon, was also due in federal court this week.
Two other ex-deputies, Hunter Elward and Jeffrey Middleton, received their sentences Tuesday. Elward, who shot one of the victims, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Middleton received a 17 1/2-year sentence. Read more about court proceedings here.
Final sentencing for former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield and ex-deputy Brett McAlpin is expected on Thursday.
It was revealed that three of the disgraced officers were part of a group that called themselves “The Goon Squad” for their excessive force use and lack of reporting. All officers have since resigned or been dismissed.
All six officers pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges in August, and also face numerous state charges.
The January 2023 incident began when officers went to a home in Braxton following reports of suspicious behavior. Without a search warrant, the officers subjected the two Black residents to an hour and a half of abuse.
The two victims were friends of the White homeowner and were living at the house at the time. Without probable cause, the six officers arrested and physically assaulted the men, using racial slurs, tasers, and even firing their guns to intimidate them.
One of the officers discharged a bullet into one of the victims’ mouth, causing severe injury. Instead of rendering aid, the officers fabricated a cover story and planted a gun on one of the victims.
During sentencing hearings, Elward and Middleton apologized for their actions. However, the victims found their apologies empty and unconvincing.
Further disturbing details have emerged regarding a separate case in December 2022, involving Dedmon, Elward, and Opdyke. The officers pled guilty in federal court to felonies related to an incident involving Alan Schmidt, who was assaulted and beaten by the officers. Sentencing for this case is expected this week.
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