Rankin County Sheriff’s Deputies Face Scandal Over Misconduct and Brutality Revelations

Allegations of extreme misconduct and brutality have surfaced within Rankin County sheriff’s deputies in Brandon, Mississippi, as revealed through disturbing conversations from an encrypted WhatsApp group. The scandal has led to federal prison sentences for six officers involved in the torture of two Black men, sparking concerns about oversight and accountability in law enforcement practices.

Rankin County Sheriff’s Deputies Under Scrutiny for Misconduct

In Brandon, Mississippi, Rankin County sheriff’s deputies, referring to themselves as the Goon Squad, have come under fire for extreme misconduct, including harassment and brutality. Conversations from their encrypted WhatsApp group, featuring messages from 2019 to 2023, have revealed inappropriate conduct and discussions of violence by deputies.

Six officers were sentenced to federal prison in March 2024 for torturing two Black men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, in January 2023. The convicted officers include Jeffrey Middleton, Christian Dedmon, Hunter Elward, Daniel Opdyke, Joshua Hartfield, and Brett McAlpin. The brutality included the use of Tasers, mock executions, and racial slurs, followed by attempts to cover up their actions by planting drugs on the victims.

Conversations in the group chat show deputies sharing pictures of decomposing bodies, making racist jokes, and discussing plans to humiliate and brutalize suspects. The chat included more than a dozen deputies who often joked about the violence they witnessed or intended to enact. Despite the egregious content, many deputies indicated that their comments were jokes and denied any intent to follow through on the discussed actions.

The revelations have sparked significant controversy, with Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey asserting that he was unaware of both the "Goon Squad" moniker and the deputies' misconduct.

Key Individuals:

Jeffrey Middleton: Former supervisor, sentenced to 17.5 years in prison.
Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker: Victims of the 2023 assault.
Bryan Bailey: Rankin County Sheriff, claimed ignorance of the misconduct.

The investigation illustrates a concerning lack of oversight and accountability within the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, raising serious questions about law enforcement practices in the area.