Two Black men who were victims of brutal torture by six Mississippi law enforcement officers last year are urging a federal judge to impose the harshest penalties at their upcoming sentencings this week. The former officers confessed to subjecting Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to a series of racially motivated, violent acts.
The disturbing incident unfolded in January 2023 when the officers, acting on a neighbor's complaint, barged into a residence without a warrant and viciously assaulted Jenkins and Parker using stun guns, a sex toy, and other objects. The situation escalated tragically when a mock execution resulted in Jenkins being shot in the mouth. To cover up their heinous actions, the officers planted drugs and a gun, with the Rankin County Sheriff's Department supporting their false charges against the victims for an extended period.
U.S. District Judge Tom Lee is set to sentence two defendants each day over three days this week, following multiple delays. The victims' attorney has called for severe sentences, emphasizing the ongoing physical and emotional suffering endured by Jenkins and Parker.
The officers, including former Rankin deputies and a former Richland police officer, pleaded guilty to various charges such as conspiracy against rights, obstruction of justice, and discharge of a firearm under a crime of violence. While most defense attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment, one lawyer expressed his client's remorse and acceptance of responsibility.
The officers face prosecutor-recommended sentences ranging from five to 30 years, although the judge retains discretion in the final decision. An investigation by The Associated Press revealed a pattern of violence involving some of the deputies in prior encounters with Black men, leading to fatalities and severe injuries.
The victims' attorney highlighted the delayed dropping of false charges against Jenkins and Parker, which only occurred in June following increased scrutiny from federal and state authorities. The officers, who had formed a group dubbed the “Goon Squad” due to their propensity for excessive force and cover-ups, were terminated after pleading guilty in August.
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, acknowledging the severity of the officers' actions, described the case as the worst instance of police brutality he had witnessed. Jenkins and Parker have demanded Bailey's resignation and filed a substantial civil lawsuit against the department.
