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Two former Mississippi law enforcement officers, identified as members of a group called the “Goon Squad,” received sentences for torturing and abusing two Black men. Hunter Elward received 20 years in prison for shooting one victim, while Jeffrey Middleton got over 17 years. Both admitted guilt, along with four others.
The incident, occurring in January 2023 in Braxton, just southeast of Jackson, involved breaking into a woman’s home, where the victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, were present, leading to a harrowing ordeal of assaults and even a shooting.
Elward, facing the most serious charges, shot Jenkins in the mouth during the incident. Middleton, described as the ringleader, boasted about the group’s violence, showcasing emblems branded with the words “Goon Squad,” featuring a Confederate flag and a noose.
How the Goon Squad treated their Black victims
Elward shot Jenkins after handcuffing, kicking, waterboarding, and subjecting the victims to Tasers and sexual assault over nearly two hours. The officers’ actions included excessive force and racial slurs. The victims and their families expressed profound trauma and fear.
Michael Jenkins, still recovering from being shot in the mouth, shared his ongoing struggle. “I never thought a night hanging out with friends would almost cost me my life,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins then adds, “I’m hurt, I’m broken, I’m ashamed and embarrassed by the entire situation. They tried to take my manhood from me. They did some unimaginable things to me, and the effects of it will forever linger in my life.”
Eddie Parker highlighted the enduring impact of the assault: “I don’t know if I will ever be able to sleep at night. I fear I will be attacked again and even killed. The humiliation and embarrassment from the sexual assault is too great for me to talk about. Therefore, I am in therapy now and in the future.
White “Goon Squad” Ex-Officers Express Remorse at Sentencing
Middleton apologized during his sentencing. Elward expressed remorse as well, acknowledging the gravity of his actions. However, the victims found his apology inadequate, with Jenkins stating that it meant nothing to him. Despite Elward’s remorse, the victims and their families remained skeptical, questioning the sincerity of his regret.
Jenkins says that their apologies “meant nothing.”
White ExOfficers Receive Strong Condemnation from FBI, deeming them Terrorist
FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned the officers’ actions as “atrocious,” emphasizing the egregious nature of their civil rights violations. He highlighted the abject terror experienced by the victims and questioned where individuals could turn for help when law enforcement became the perpetrators of terror.
In court, the judge, Tom Lee, noted Middleton’s supervisory role in the incident and rejected claims of minimal involvement, emphasizing Middleton’s active participation. The judge’s ruling underscored Middleton’s significant culpability in orchestrating the violence perpetrated by the group.
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Additionally, three officers, including Elward, faced charges related to another incident involving assault, including sexual assault, on Alan Schmidt, with sentencing pending.
Schmidt recounted a horrifying ordeal where deputies pulled him over for an expired tag. Subsequently, they assaulted, beat, and tased him. The officers’ depraved actions, including sexual assault, further underscored their pattern of brutality and abuse of power.
As details of the officers’ actions emerged, however, including Schmidt’s disturbing account, it became evident that the abuse inflicted by the “Goon Squad” extended beyond a single incident. This revealed a pattern of systemic violence and misconduct within the law enforcement agency.
The victims’ statements and FBI Director Wray’s condemnation underscored the urgent need for accountability. Reform within the criminal justice system is imperative to prevent future atrocities.
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