Investigation Reveals Shocking Abuse by Rankin County Sheriff’s Department Officers

In a shocking turn of events, six former officers from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, some of whom were part of a group known as the Goon Squad, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 40 years in March. This came after an Associated Press investigation linked the officers to at least four violent encounters since 2019 that resulted in the deaths of two Black men.

The charges against the officers included overusing stun guns, entering homes unlawfully, using racial slurs, and employing cruel tactics to assault people in their custody. One particularly disturbing incident involved the officers handcuffing two Black men, pouring milk, alcohol, and chocolate syrup over their faces, forcing them to strip naked and shower together, and assaulting them with sex objects while mocking them with racial slurs.

The former officers’ actions were described as “egregious and despicable” by U.S. District Judge Tom Lee, who imposed sentences near the top of federal guidelines for five of the six defendants. Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the crimes as depraved.

Attorneys for the victims applauded the Justice Department for opening a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, citing a long history of departmental abuse under Sheriff Bryan Bailey. They hope this investigation will lead to accountability and reform within the department.

The case has drawn comparisons to Mississippi’s history of racist atrocities, but this time, those who abused their power faced consequences for their actions. The investigation aims to bring about real change and address the systemic issues within law enforcement agencies.