The Root; Published By Noah A. McGee
Warning: This article contains graphic details that may be disturbing to some readers.
Would you look at that? Police officers are actually facing consequences for the crimes they commit against Black people.
On Thursday, six former Mississippi police pleaded guilty to federal charges for brutally torturing and sexually assaulting two Black men in January, according to CNN.
The group of officers coined themselves “The Goon Squad,” since they were known for unlawfully using excessive force against citizens and not reporting it to their superiors. The charges they pleaded guilty to include conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice.
The officers charged include Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, and Joshua Hartfield. The officer facing the most serious of charges is Former Rankin County Sheriff’s Department deputy Elward, who was charged with the discharge of a firearm.
These officers were only investigated after their victims filed civil rights lawsuits in federal court. The victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker recall six white officers entering their home in January without a warrant and brutally torturing them for more than two hours. Read more
