Mississippi Goon Squad Settlement Outrage: Details & Reactions

$2.5M for Torture? Goon Squad Settlement Sparks Fury

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Rankin County Police Brutality: A Nightmare Unfolds

In January 2023, a horrific incident of police brutality unfolded in Rankin County, Mississippi. Two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, endured nearly two hours of torture by a group of white sheriff’s deputies. These officers, who sometimes called themselves the “Goon Squad,” responded to a complaint from a white neighbor. The neighbor was upset that Jenkins and Parker were staying with a white woman (Rankin County torture incident – Wikipedia). This racist complaint tragically escalated into unimaginable violence.

The deputies kicked down the door without a warrant. They subjected Jenkins and Parker to beatings, repeated Taser shocks, and waterboarding. Shockingly, they also assaulted them with a sex toy and drenched them in milk, cooking grease, and syrup. The ordeal culminated when Deputy Hunter Elward shot Jenkins in the mouth during a mock execution, causing devastating injuries (Justice Department opens probe into Mississippi sheriff’s office after torture of 2 Black men). Furthermore, the officers attempted to cover their tracks by planting drugs and a gun at the scene (Mississippi ‘Goon Squad’ members sentenced for torturing Black men).

The Paltry Sum: $2.5M Lawsuit Settlement Details

Rankin County recently agreed to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit stemming from this brutal attack. The county will pay Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker a total of $2.5 million (‘Got Off Easy?’: Mississippi County Residents Outraged Over $2.5M Settlement in Goon Squad Torture Case). This money represents compensation for the immense physical and psychological harm inflicted upon them by law enforcement officers sworn to protect.

The settlement funds come from two sources. Two million dollars will be paid by the county’s insurance policy. An additional $500,000 will come directly from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department budget. Importantly, county officials stated that no new taxes would be imposed on residents to cover this cost (‘Got Off Easy?’: Mississippi County Residents Outraged Over $2.5M Settlement in Goon Squad Torture Case). However, the settlement amount is a far cry from the $400 million initially sought in the lawsuit. Legal limitations on recoverable funds reportedly forced this significantly reduced payout (Rankin County settles with victims of ‘Goon Squad’).

“Got Off Easy”: Community Outrage Over Goon Squad Settlement

For many in the community, $2.5 million is woefully inadequate. The settlement has sparked outrage among residents and advocates. They feel it doesn’t reflect the severity of the torture endured by Jenkins and Parker. Michael Jenkins suffered life-altering injuries, including a gunshot wound that lacerated his tongue and shattered his jaw, requiring ongoing medical care (Justice Department opens probe into Mississippi sheriff’s office after torture of 2 Black men). Eddie Parker was sexually assaulted with a sex toy and subjected to vile racial slurs throughout the ordeal (Justice Department opens probe into Mississippi sheriff’s office after torture of 2 Black men).

Local resident Will Sims voiced a common sentiment, stating, “I just feel like the sheriff’s department got off easy as far as the amount is concerned” (Rankin County residents react to ‘Goon Squad’ lawsuit settlement). His feeling reflects a deep sense of injustice within the community. Similarly, Angela English, president of the Rankin County NAACP, stressed that “no monetary value could ever justify the trauma” inflicted on the victims (‘Got Off Easy?’: Mississippi County Residents Outraged Over $2.5M Settlement in Goon Squad Torture Case). This settlement, while providing some compensation, fails to address the profound emotional and physical scars left by the deputies’ actions.

Justice Served? Officers Sentenced in Mississippi Torture Case

While the civil settlement draws criticism, the criminal justice system has delivered significant prison sentences. Six former Rankin County law enforcement officers involved in the torture pleaded guilty. They admitted guilt to federal charges including conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and depriving the victims of their civil rights under color of law (Rankin County torture incident – Wikipedia). These federal charges specifically address the violation of constitutional rights by government officials.

The officers also pleaded guilty to state charges, primarily aggravated assault, which deals with causing serious bodily injury (Rankin County torture incident – Wikipedia). Federal prison sentences handed down ranged from 10 to 40 years. Hunter Elward, who shot Jenkins in the mouth, received a 20-year federal sentence. Christian Dedmon, identified as the leader and most violent offender, received the longest sentence at 40 years (Mississippi deputies get lengthy sentences for torture of 2 Black men). Indeed, these lengthy sentences reflect the severity of the crimes committed under the guise of law enforcement.

Deeper Problems: DOJ Probes Rankin County Police Brutality

The torture of Jenkins and Parker wasn’t an isolated incident, prompting federal action. Consequently, the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (Victims of racially motivated torture ‘welcome’ DOJ probe of Rankin County Sheriff’s Department). This probe aims to determine if the department has a pattern or practice of misconduct violating constitutional rights.

The DOJ investigation focuses on allegations of excessive force, racial discrimination, and unlawful stops, searches, and seizures (Victims of racially motivated torture ‘welcome’ DOJ probe of Rankin County Sheriff’s Department). Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the deputies’ use of racial slurs and “cruel tactics” as key factors justifying the federal probe (Justice Department opens probe into Mississippi sheriff’s office after torture of 2 Black men). Ultimately, this investigation seeks to address potential systemic issues within the department, going beyond the actions of the six convicted officers.

Roots of the Violence: Racism and Systemic Failures in Rankin County Police Brutality

The horrific torture of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker was explicitly tied to racism. The deputies acted on a racist complaint about two Black men being present with a white woman (Rankin County torture incident – Wikipedia). This motivation, combined with the use of racial slurs during the assault, points to deep-seated racial bias fueling the violence (Justice Department opens probe into Mississippi sheriff’s office after torture of 2 Black men).

Furthermore, the incident revealed significant systemic failures. The officers felt comfortable enough to commit these acts and then conspire to cover them up. They planted drugs and a gun, hoping to falsely justify their brutal actions and avoid accountability (Mississippi ‘Goon Squad’ members sentenced for torturing Black men). This attempt to obstruct justice highlights a breakdown in oversight and potentially points to a culture where such misconduct could occur, shielded initially from consequences. Indeed, the ongoing DOJ probe suggests that federal authorities suspect these issues run deeper than just one incident (Victims of racially motivated torture ‘welcome’ DOJ probe of Rankin County Sheriff’s Department).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.