On September 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation against the Rankin County Sheriff's Department, part of Mississippi, following horrifying reports of abuse and torture by officers against two Black men. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the probe amid serious allegations of systematic violations of constitutional rights, particularly excessive use of force, unlawful arrests, and racially discriminatory policing.
The investigations spring from actions taken by deputies linked to the so-called "Goon Squad", who carried out shocking acts of torture against Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker back in January 2023. According to lawyers representing the victims, the charges stem from what they describe as "egregious" behavior indicative of long-standing institutional issues within the sheriff's department.
"The public is now well aware of the heinous attack inflicted on two Black men by Rankin County deputies," Garland stated. He emphasized the goal of the investigation aims to explore underlying patterns of unlawful conduct among sheriff department members. Reportedly, deputies repeatedly misused Tasers, utilized racial slurs, and conducted unauthorized home entries for unlawful stops and searches.
Six former deputies eventually pleaded guilty to several state and federal charges, admitting to the brutal assault. These incidents included shooting one of the men in the mouth, subjecting them to beatings and humiliation, and even assaulting them with household items, including sex toys. The officers had stormed the men’s residence without any legal warrant after being alerted by a white neighbor concerning their stay at the home of a white woman.
The reprehensible history of violence transpired when the officers isolated Jenkins and Parker, humiliatively forcing them under racial slurs. After handcuffing the victims, they splashed substances like milk and alcohol on their faces and forced them to strip naked for disturbing purposes, including attempting to conceal evidence of the abuse.
This infamous case reflects broader issues of police misconduct and systemic injustices facing communities of color, particularly in areas with entrenched racial tensions. Garland pointed to this investigation being the twelfth under the Biden administration focused on law enforcement practices, which highlights the administration's continued scrutiny of policing behavior post-George Floyd's death.
Federal prosecutors stated the series of events leading to the torture commenced with false accusations leading to vigilante violence initiated by Deputy Brett McAlpin, who made the call resulting in the violent actions by deputies. The accountability efforts extend beyond just the involved officers; the overarching objective stresses the need for reform within the department itself, as it relates to the treatment of its residents.
The Rankin County Sheriff's Office, affected by this storm of controversy, expressed intentions to cooperate fully with the Justice Department's inquiry, countering the negative perceptions and demonstrating accountability. Still, civil rights advocates are skeptical, demanding not just superficial changes but substantial and effective systemic reform to prevent reoccurrences of such egregious behavior.
This investigation shines light on the urgency of police reform and the undeniable need for accountability, underscoring the movement for justice steering through the U.S. following numerous high-profile cases of police violence against Black individuals.
