At 9 a.m. today, the members of the Goon Squad were brought to Rankin County Circuit Court to receive their state sentences.
- Brett McAlpin was sentenced to 15 years on count 1, 5 years on count 2, to be served concurrent to the federal charges plus fees and fines. His law enforcement license has been revoked.
- Jeffrey Middleton was sentenced to 15 years on count 1, 5 years on count 2, to be served concurrent to the federal charges plus fees and fines. His law enforcement license has been revoked.
- Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 20 years on count 1, 5 years on count 2, to be served concurrent to the federal charges plus fees and fines. His law enforcement license has been revoked.
- Hunter Elward was sentenced to 20 years on count 1, 20 years on count 2, and 5 years on count 3, to be served concurrent to the federal charges plus fees and fines. His law enforcement license has been revoked.
- Daniel Opdyke was sentenced to 15 years on count 1, 5 years on count 2, to be served concurrent to the federal charges plus fees and fines. His law enforcement license has been revoked.
- Joshua Hartfield was sentenced to 15 years on count 1, 5 years on count 2, to be served concurrent to the federal charges plus fees and fines. His law enforcement license has been revoked.
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In this horrifying case of brutality, the “Rankin 6” pleaded guilty to charges related to the torture and shooting of Jenkins and Parker.
The “Rankin 6” or “Goon Squad” is made up of former law enforcement officers, including deputies and a police officer who were all involved in the heinous acts.
On the night of January 24, 2023, two men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker were at a home on Conerly Road in the Braxton community when the sights of the Goon Squad zeroed in on them.
Jenkins and Parker were subjected to physical assault, racial slurs, and degrading treatment.
Despite the distressing nature of the events, none of the perpetrators intervened or stopped the abuse. The defendants concocted elaborate cover stories and engaged in evidence tampering to conceal their crimes.
The guilty pleas were made in the presence of their devastated families and underlined the severity of their actions. They pleaded guilty to federal charges against them as well.
Read the detailed story of what happened that night here.
You can read all of our stories on the incident here.
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AG Fitch released a statement on the sentencing of the Rankin Six.
Press Release:
Attorney General Lynn Fitch released the following statement following the sentencing of the Rankin Six (6) in Rankin County Circuit Court this morning:
“The actions of these six men did grave harm to these two victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, and violated the trust of all the citizens they swore to protect. These former officers also violated the trust of the other men and women who honorably wear the uniform – every one of whom will feel the repercussions of the mistrust they sowed between law enforcement and the people. These criminal acts make a difficult job even harder and far more dangerous. And it is left to us all to commit ourselves to repairing that damage.
“Today’s sentencing marks the culmination of fifteen months of model cooperation between our Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Together we worked to ensure justice for these victims in a horrific case of abuse. I am grateful to all the dedicated investigators and prosecutors who worked with us to get to this point where we can begin healing as a community in earnest. I would also like to thank Rankin County Circuit Court Judge Steven Ratliff for his professionalism from the bench in this very high-profile case.”
The Attorney General’s Office worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on the global plea deal in this matter. Mississippi Deputy Attorney General Mary Helen Wall was deputized last year as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the federal case and led the prosecution of the state case, which was investigated by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
The state charges, filed last August, and sentences, ordered today, which will run concurrently with the federal sentences as part of our global plea agreement, are as follows:
Former Rankin County Sheriff Deputy Hunter Elward was charged with Aggravated Assault, Home Invasion, and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 20 years to serve.
Former Rankin County Sheriff Narcotics Investigator Christian Dedmon was charged with Home Invasion and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 20 years to serve.
Former Rankin County Sheriff Chief Investigator Brett McAlpin was charged with Obstruction of Justice/Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 15 years to serve.
Former Rankin County Sheriff Lieutenant Jeffrey Middleton was charged with Obstruction of Justice/Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 15 years to serve.
Former Rankin County Sheriff Deputy Daniel Opdyke was charged with Obstruction of Justice/Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 15 years to serve.
Former Richland Police Department Narcotics Investigator Joshua Hartfield was charged with Obstruction of Justice/Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 10 years to serve.
