Dedmon sexually assaults suspect
The first Goon is sentenced and packed off to prison. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee sentenced former Rankin County deputy Hunter Elward to serve 241 months in prison today in a packed courtroom as Rankin took its place next to Neshoba in Mississippi's sordid civil rights history.
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| Elward, Holliman, Shabazz, Mrs. Jenkins |
Elward pleaded guilty to three counts of deprivation of civil rights under color of law, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of conspiracy against civil rights.
The hearing was emotional at times as attorney Malik Shabazz read the victims' impact statement of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker to the Court.
Jenkins was present in the courtroom as his attorney read his statement:
January 24 was the worst day of my life. I was brutally beaten and nearly killed by Rankin County Sheriff's officers known as the Goon Squad. I never thought a night of hanging out with friends would nearly cost me my life. ....
I am hurt, I am broken, I am 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 that will linger with me for the rest of my life.
I am a musician and a singer and now because of a gunshot wound to my jaw, I can no longer do what I love, which is to sing. I play drums for church. Because I was shot in the face, I can no longer see. (He said he could no longer play drums because of his sight problems.).
I wake up at night, covered in sweat because of the nightmares of my attacks. Loud noises, police lights, sirens, give me anxiety. I'm broken inside . I don't think I will be the person I was. I try every day to do the simple things I used to enjoy but I can't because of the real Goons.
I am currently undergoing therapy in order to heal from what happened to me. I want them all to remain behind bars and off the streets. I am prayiing for the maximum sentence for the Goon Squad.
Once he concluded addressing the Court on behalf of Jenkins, Shabazz read Parker's statement:
The very bad actions of the Rankin County good squad several impacted me and left a scar on me that will last fever. I never knew the ones sworn to protect and serve me are the ones I needed protection from. I am in constant fear someone will break into my home and terrorize me. I am afraid I will be attacked and killed by the police in Rankin County. The sexual humiliation is too much for me to talk. ...
Parker stood up when asked to do so by his attorney. Once the victims sat down, Jenkins' mother, Mary Jenkins told her story as Judge Lee heard it all:
I called Rankin County, I couldn’t get any information, they kept saying they were in a meeting. Finally someone called me and I asked them about my son, I asked if my son was alive. The deputy was rude. I knew my son was dead, I just wanted info. I asked him if my son is alive. As far as I know he is. Can I see him? You can see him when I let you see him. Michael is my property now. They put him on an alias so I was asking for Michael Jenkins, the hospitals were saying they didn’t have a MJ. Your honor, I don’t ‘know if you have children, and you can’t find out any information about your son, you fear the worst. My husband sayid Mary, please be preapared for the worst. Your honor, I want thte same consideration given to thse people they gave my son when they shot him in the mouth. Judge Lee nodded as she shpoke. These men need to opay for what they did to my son.
A somber Judge Lee said "That was a horrifying experience. Thank you ma'am."
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| Elward's parents |
However, even more horror was to come. It is often forgotten Elward, Dedmon, and Opdyke were charged in a second case. The victim's impact statement says it all.
The acts committed upon me on December 4, 2022, have impacted my life in such a negative way that it will take years to lead a somewhat normal life without having flashbacks of the night of December 4, 2022.
On the night of the assault, I was pulled over for an expired tag near I-20 and State Street near the border of Rankin and Hinds County. A traffic stop initiated, and I complied with the original officer’s commands. Then Christian Dedmon arrives shortly after, immediately ordering officers to cuff me and take me to Dedmon’s vehicle. When Dedmon got me to his vehicle, he yanked me down, hitting my head on the back right quarter panel of Dedmon’s Rankin County Sheriff department-issued vehicle. My head hit the panel by the wheel, leaving a dent on the vehicle, and my eyes began to see spots. I could not think clearly, I could not see, I could not protect myself, and I was scared for my life already.
I was already scared for my life as I was being assaulted on the side of the road, and then my life flashed before my eyes. I thought I died. I knew my time was over. Christian Dedmon demanded that I confessed and disclosed the location of stolen items in Jackson, Mississippi, which I did not know. Dedmon responded to my lack of knowledge by discharging his gun towards me. Then I felt the barrel of the gun on my temple. I was shaking. I almost used the restroom on myself. I was humiliated. I was scared. It is hard to finish writing this paragraph. The images are so graphic. The fear is unexplainable. I did not know it was possible for any human to feel this way.
Dedmon asked me several more times where some stolen items were. I did not know, so I told him that I did not have what he was looking for. This time, Dedmon shot the gun closer to my head. I thought, “this is it, I will never see my family again and these officers will get away with it.” At this point, I think I was in shock. The next thing I remember is being beaten, punched, and kicked. I thought to myself that it would stop soon, and they were on a power trip, and would stop. I was wrong. It seemed like it was going to last forever. Nobody helped me. Nobody stepped in to stop them. Nobody cared. I wish the officers understood that I am a human being, just like them. I hurt, just like them. I feel, just like them...
When I was able to gather my bearings and surroundings, I was being walked by Hunter Elward and Christian Dedmon, then forced to my knees in front of Dedmon. Dedmon pulled his private part and began hitting me in the face with it. Dedmon tried to put his privates in my mouth, but I kept my mouth as tight as I could. I could not help but think during this, “what sick individual does this? He has so much power over us already, so to act this way, he must be truly sick in the head.” I did not think I was in reality anymore. This is not the world we live in. We are better than this.
Since I would not touch Dedmon or Elward’s privates and kept screaming no and that they are sick for this, they pulled my pants down. I was still handcuffed and defenseless. The officers started touching my private parts. Dedmon grabbed my privates and said “my you have a big one” and dry h u m p e d me. I kept screaming t at they are sick and to let me go. The assault eventually stopped when the officers took me to jail.
My face was injured pretty bad and they knew it but they didn’t take me to the hospital or even have medical evaluate me at the jail. Nobody cared. I have flashbacks to this day if certain things happen. If my pants are around my knees with me pulling them up, I will think about it, and get short of breath. If I see a cop car, I break out in sweats. I am terrified of guns and shake if I hear loud unexpected noise. When I drive down I-20 where the incident took place, I think about it every time. This will not escape me. I never want to see these officers again. They sexually assaulted me. They physically and mentally abused me. My life has forever changed because the actions of these officers. I pray that the justice system will hold them to the fullest extent of the law, for all our sakes. Police are supposed to serve and protect.
Your honor, I'd like to start off by saying I'm not a man of excuses. I fought hard with myself ever since that night but I know when most people get into trouble they are only mad they got caught. This would probably be easier on me if I was mad that I got caught. I hate this happened. I hate this happened to them.I chose this line of work. The key word is choice. I took that choice from them. I have to live with in my mind, because of what I did, I Meade them see something every time they go to sleep and that's on me. I just want to say I'm sorry what happened to them. I'd love to address them directly (as he turned and looked at Jenkins and Parker).I don't want to get too personal Mr. Jenkins, I see you every day in my (pause), and I can't go back and do what's right but I would need to go back seven years the first time I saw this behavior, I heard what you said. I know how you looked and that's when I lay down. I can't imagine what you see. I'm so sorry I caused that. I was raised Christian, I slacked off, and need to do better and seek counseling, that's the only choice I"ve got now. It's just as hard to get over, mental health, I'm there, I am, but I gave it to you, I hate myself. For that, All of y'all involved and I'm going to pray you get that type of healing. I accept all responsibility."
45 comments:
Good.
The Root posted today, "2 Black Men Tortured by Mississippi 'Good Squad' Finally Getting Sweet Revenge."
to be enforced upon completion of any state time.
let.them.rot.
That equals around 17 to serve correct? Federal "Good time" is 54 days off for every 365 you serve. 20 years=1080 days off the 240 months?
20 years, is that without possibility of any early release? I thought it would be longer. I'm assuming it will be served in federal prison?
I know the two victims are Black. Was it ever proven that this horrendous act was because they were Black?
No law enforcement officer anywhere would dare this behavior in this day and age unless he had absolute confidence that he would be covered by his superiors. The Goons had good reason to believe they had the backing of the Rankin County brass. Shame
He was the shooter.
@11:55 AM - Exactly. Cops can't keep a secret within their ranks. Bailey claims he had no idea this was going on - wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
@11:22 The big article that came out earlier said they actually found more white victims. Poor white folks in the Robinhood neighborhood seem to have been the victims of choice.
Malik S at 11:55. All you have to do is present the proof, not speculation or conjecture. Wink, wink won't get it, brah. This is federal. Big boy court.
I can't read the victim statements. Just too much. What a nightmare.
One of the motives may have been the race of the victims in Braxton, but the man that was sexually assaulted on the side of the road is white. So I think the actions of the perpetrators was in large part due to their own severe personality defects... Power Tripping A-Holes.
PTSD is some bad shit. I know. And it does not just stem from military life. These men will never fucking recover.
I hurt for the wives and children of Goon Members. But first, I hurt for these victims.
Not that it should matter, but I am a white man.
I hope the Legislature passes a bill renaming Rankin or lets us use other county plates. I used to shudder at Clayton County GA where the new Sheriff rounded up his white employees at gunpoint to fire them (with predictable lawsuits). That was just racism. This is degeneracy and like some nightmarish war crime. What an embarrassment. And where is the Rankin Government on this? Hiding. Silent. And the Sheriff remains in office, paid lavishly. BOS? Where are you? Crickets. Rankin County Mafia??? This is a case where Silence does equal Violence. Sick and disgusting stuff. Where did this crew come from, the Deliverance hillbillies of Georgia? No leadership, whatsoever.
New movie to be released in late 2024 - Rankin County Burning
How come Bailey gets to skate
I’m a white dude from Rankin County. I have never once had the desire to shove a sex toy up another dude, piss on another dude, or compare peckers of another dude. At this point I’m starting to believe there is some kind of sick twisted pecker fetish amongst Rankin County law enforcement.
Stankin Rankin will likely make the national/international news this week, keeping the 'sip at the bottom.
12:44
You are right! A statement should have been put out by the Board of Supervisors immediately after the Feds stepped in! Only one or two people spoke up and hell even Tate spoke out pretty soon after .
I want to know all the deputies who had the goon coin? What about the jailers that covered up injuries? Why is Bryan Bailey and his boot lickers still employed by the RCSO?
Goon #1 is Bailey’s handle right!!
Assistant District Attorneys over the drug cases knew that these psychos were doing these things but still continued to prosecute the cases. Where is the accountability? Any case touched by these fools needs to be reviewed by non LEO cheerleaders.
Additionally, this new idea for the oversight of law enforcement etc etc the House has been talking about? How about some non law enforcement members on that? People that will just look at the facts and not always give LEO’s the “benefit of the doubt”… How has cops policing cops ever helped anywhere?
The hierarchy will soon change at the Rankin County SO. There is no possible way all the loyal followers still working for Bailey didn't know. The FEDS uncovered more unethical behavior....... It's just a matter of time....... tick tock
The guy shot should get 5 million.
The guy roadside raped should get 300 million.
This is very sad. And what's up with all the Goon Squad Sheriff Rednecks trying to give every guy that they arrest a " Cock Meat Sandwich ??? It seems to me that homosexual tendencies tend to be running very high among those Law Enforcement Personnel in Rankin County Mississippi. It kinda gives new meaning to the term " good ole boys.
Mississippi needs a standard for LEO pre-employment background investigations. I did them as a temporary assignment for a very large out-of-state LE agency years ago, investigating about 20 applicants.
I spent 40 man-hours investigating each applicant. Seriously. If the applicant was from another state I flew there to conduct interviews, including high school staff, college staff, all prior employers, neighbors, credit checks, military records, and more.
Completing a criminal history check IS NOT A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION. It is a necessary but very small part of the investigation.
We also required a 2-year degree as a minimum.
I suspect MS LE agencies spend about 2-4 hours in total.
Goon today, gone tomorrow.
Geeze Law enforcement Goons all over Rankin County and sexually deviant pervert Goons for bad measure....
Once public trust is lost, it takes a lot to gain it back. Until Mr. Bailey resigns, dark days are ahead for the citizens of Rankin County. The supervisors who gave the sheriff a big raise should be ashamed as well. Clearly, Bryan Bailey is not going to do the right thing on his own.
@2:53 PM Won today's internet. Well played.
Goon #1 did the shooting, so he likely received the most severe punishment.
What they did is a strong indication of the existential LE culture in Rankin County, and likely other counties.
Bailey will fall eventually
Like several of you have said. Whats up with the dick grabbing and raping? If I was around someone who did that I would be sickened by it. Makes me think of the Delivernce scene. I always wondered how you remain friends with a guy that did that to another guy in front of you. Wow, these guys should gte life in genpop.
There are some Law Enforcement Officers that will read what the goon squad did and the sentence they received and will still do sick shit like these fools did because their superiors turn a blind eye!
"Anonymous said...
Once public trust is lost, it takes a lot to gain it back. Until Mr. Bailey resigns, dark days are ahead for the citizens of Rankin County. The supervisors who gave the sheriff a big raise should be ashamed as well. Clearly, Bryan Bailey is not going to do the right thing on his own.
March 19, 2024 at 3:23 PM"
I really don't know if law adding citizens of Rankin will go through dark days because of this. Other than the financial liability, it will have little impact on a law abiding citizen. I shudder to think what the financial liability will be, but this will have little other impact on the average Rankin County citizen.
As far as the Feds getting Bailey, I thought they would have gotten duputy Fill years ago.
Does he have to register as a sex offender?
Mr. Parker - You are a better man than I am.
@3:48. You are over the target. The LE culture in not only Rankin County, but Madison County as well, is rotten to the core. And it’s because of people in these departments (both county and city) who occupy upper level positions truly believe they answer to no one but themselves. They believe they can hide behind “the color of law” and puff their steroid-enhanced chest out and treat mere citizens anyway they choose. In their minds, they are the law. Many in these positions of authority are living the ultimate power trip. It’s all they have and they’ll do anything to maintain their grip on that badge. I hope the rumors of widespread federal investigation in Madison andRankin County are accurate. While I can’t imagine anything being more violent and dehumanizing than what the Goon Squad did to these two gentlemen, I would not put it past many authoritarians in the LE community. And this is not part of the training they receive at the academy. This “culture” of unrestrained power must be dismantled. This case is a good start. Citizens who truly have been wronged by LE must be willing to fight back in the courts. I believe we’re just scratching the surface here.
The BOS can't fire the high sheriff, he's elected. If he stays in office the county is on the hook for legal fees. I would not be surprised to see the DOJ come after him, but the BOS has their hands tied.
7:25
Can fire him ? There is a way for them to group together and get him on dereliction of duty and/or cut his budget/salary enough to send a message he has lost the support of county government! But instead they gave him a massive raise (after the January shooting) and he is the highest paid sheriff in the State !
Need petition of 30% of the voters in Rankin. Submit to Governor. He can then remove from office.
So Rankin LEO are vile and disgusting pigs who detain, abuse, and torture civilians and harass and arrest people based on little or no evidence.
Hinds LEO refuse to do anything to blatant criminals with an abundance of proof and instead let them kill each other with impunity.
Two different extremes and neither should not be tolerated. I really have lost all respect for law enforcement.
Sadly 2 years in club fed means they will still have a better life than all the victims still trapped in poverty.
He said " and I can't go back and do what's right but I would need to go back seven years the first time I saw this behavior".
He admits in open court that this has gone on, at least with him involved, for 7 years. There is no way Sheriff Bailey can say he had zero knowledge of anything going on. Its not possible.
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