Former Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Torturing Black Men
In a disturbing case of police brutality, six former law enforcement officers in Mississippi were convicted of torturing two Black men in January 2023. Joshua Hartfield, a former Richland Police Department officer, was the last of the six defendants to be sentenced this week. He was given a 10-year prison sentence on Thursday for his role in the horrific attack.
Unlike the other defendants who were members of the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Hartfield pleaded guilty to state charges related to obstruction of justice. He used a Taser on the victims while they were handcuffed and attempted to dispose of evidence. This appalling behavior led to his guilty plea and subsequent sentencing.
Melvin Jenkins, the father of one of the victims, Michael Jenkins, expressed relief after Hartfield’s sentencing. In a tearful moment in court, Hartfield apologized to both victims for failing to help them when they needed it the most. This gesture, although late, showed some remorse for his actions.
On the same day, Brett McAlpin, a former Rankin County sheriff’s deputy, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role as the ringleader of the group of officers involved in the attack. Described as the “mafia don” of the so-called “Goon Squad,” McAlpin orchestrated the brutal interrogation tactics used on the victims.
The group of deputies, led by McAlpin, unlawfully entered a home in Braxton and subjected Jenkins and the other victim, Eddie Parker, to a horrifying ordeal that included beatings, tasering, attempted sexual assault, and even a gunshot to one victim’s mouth. McAlpin’s high rank within the department meant he could have prevented the torture, but instead, he chose to cover up the crimes and ordered his subordinates to destroy evidence.
Apologies were offered in court, with McAlpin expressing regret for the suffering he caused to Parker and Jenkins. His sentencing highlighted the severity of his actions and the role he played in the despicable attack perpetrated by the group of officers. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and justice in cases of police misconduct and abuse of power.