Former Mississippi Deputy Seeks Shorter Sentence for Role in Torture of Two Black Men

A former Mississippi sheriff's deputy seeks to reduce his federal prison sentence for his role in the torture of two Black men, a case that drew criticism from top U.S. law enforcement officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland. The deputy, Brett McAlpin, was chief investigator for the Rankin County Sheriff's Department and received a sentence of about 27 years, the second-longest among six former law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty in 2023 to their involvement in the crime.

Racist torture of 2 Black men

The incident took place on January 24, 2023, when a white individual contacted McAlpin and expressed concerns about two Black men staying with a white woman in Braxton, Mississippi. McAlpin relayed the information to Deputy Christian Dedmon, who communicated with a group of white deputies known for their excessive use of force, referred to as "The Goon Squad."

Without a warrant, these officers broke into a home and subjected the two victims, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, to a harrowing series of attacks. The abuse included beatings, repeated use of Tasers, and assaults with a sex toy. The horror of the night culminated in one victim being shot in the mouth.

Legal Proceedings

In March 2023, the former officers were sentenced to terms ranging from 10 to 40 years. McAlpin's attorney, Theodore Cooperstein, contends that the length of McAlpin's sentence is "unreasonable" as he claims that McAlpin merely observed the events from a distance, without actively participating in the violence against the victims.

However, federal prosecutor Christopher Perras presented a different perspective, arguing that McAlpin, though not formally a member of the "Goon Squad," played a pivotal role in instigating the brutality. The prosecution's stance is echoed by one of the victims, Eddie Terrell Parker, who described McAlpin's behavior as akin to that of a "mafia don," exerting control and influence over the officers throughout the night.

Current Status and Appeal

Currently, McAlpin, 53, is serving his sentence in a federal prison in West Virginia. His appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seeks to have the sentence overturned and replaced with a shorter one. Cooperstein argues that McAlpin's sentencing was unduly severe as he bore the brunt of the collective wrongdoings of all the officers involved, despite his lesser degree of involvement.