A former Mississippi sheriff's deputy is seeking a shorter federal prison sentence for his role in the torture of two Black men, a case that garnered national attention and condemnation from top U.S. law enforcement officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland.
The incident involved six white former law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty in 2023 to breaking into a home without a warrant and subjecting two Black men to a brutal attack that included beatings, use of Tasers, and assaults with a sex toy, culminating in one victim being shot in the mouth.
The officers were sentenced in March to terms ranging from 10 to 40 years, with the former chief investigator for the Rankin County Sheriff's Department, Brett McAlpin, receiving a sentence of approximately 27 years, the second-longest among the group.
McAlpin's attorney argued that the length of his sentence was unreasonable as he did not actively participate in the violent abuse but rather maintained a peripheral distance while the events unfolded.
The terror began when a white individual reported to McAlpin that two Black men were staying with a white woman in Braxton, prompting the involvement of the group of officers known as 'The Goon Squad.'
The case drew parallels to Mississippi's history of racist atrocities, but this time, the perpetrators faced severe consequences for their actions, with U.S. District Judge Tom Lee describing their behavior as 'egregious and despicable.'
McAlpin's attorney is appealing to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn his sentence, emphasizing that he was not directly involved in the violent acts and should receive a shorter term.
Despite apologizing for his involvement, McAlpin did not make eye contact with the victims during his sentencing, acknowledging that the actions were reprehensible and not reflective of proper law enforcement conduct.
Prosecutors argued for a lengthy sentence, alleging that McAlpin played a significant role in shaping the behavior of the other officers involved in the attack.
The former officers also faced charges in state court and were sentenced in April, marking a significant legal reckoning for their actions.
