Former Rankin county officers to plead guilty to state charges over brutal assault of two black men

Recent court documents filed by the Attorney General’s office indicate that the six former Rankin County law enforcement officers who previously pleaded guilty in federal court over the brutal assault and torture of two Black men are set to plead guilty to state charges on Monday, WLBT reports.

The documents, labeled as six bills of information corresponding to each ex-officer, detail violations of state law, but lack the detailed specifics provided by the federal documents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office which were unveiled two weeks ago.

Of the officers, ex-Rankin County Deputy Hunter Elward, identified as the individual who shot Michael Corey Jenkins in the mouth during the heinous episode, faces the most serious charges. Elward is being charged with aggravated assault, home invasion and conspiracy.

Christian Dedmon, another former deputy, has been charged with home invasion and conspiracy. This implies that Dedmon and Elward were the initial perpetrators who illegally entered the residence, instigating several hours of violence and racial abuse towards Jenkins and Eddie Parker.

Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke, along with former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield, are accused of hindering prosecution in the first degree and conspiracy. They allegedly not only concealed the torture but also fabricated charges against Jenkins and Parker to rationalize their excessive force.

In-depth exploration of federal court records revealed almost a dozen other allegations of assault and civil rights infringements involving at least one of these officers.

A study done by WLBT of cases under the purview of the Attorney General’s office showed that these officers represent the first group to be charged under Lynn Fitch since her office obtained the exclusive authority to prosecute officer-involved shootings in July of the previous year. Out of 19 individuals killed by the police in the past year, only four cases have seen closure by Fitch’s office.

Court filings in the Rankin County Circuit Court hint that all but one of the ex-officers will face incarceration as part of plea deals proposed by Fitch’s office. While the sentences are subject to Judge Steven Ratcliff’s discretion, the plea agreements suggest a range of jail time for each officer. This state incarceration will coincide with their federal prison sentences, the specifics of which will be determined in November.

The agreed upon plea deals are listed below:

• Brett McAlpin: Charged with hindering prosecution in the first degree and conspiracy. Proposed sentence: 15 years in MDOC custody with 10 years suspended.
• Hunter Elward: Charged with aggravated assault, burglary/home invasion and conspiracy. Proposed sentence: 20 years in MDOC custody with 5 years suspended.
• Christian Dedmon: Charged with burglary/home invasion and conspiracy. Proposed sentence: 15 years in MDOC custody with 5 years suspended and another 5 under post-release supervision. He must also relinquish his law enforcement certification.
• Jeffrey Middleton: Charged with hindering prosecution in the first degree and conspiracy. Proposed sentence: 15 years in MDOC custody with 7 years suspended.
• Daniel Opdyke: Charged with hindering prosecution in the first degree and conspiracy. Proposed sentence: 15 years in MDOC custody with 10 years suspended.
• Joshua Hartfield: Charged with hindering prosecution in the first degree and conspiracy. Proposed sentence: 15 years in MDOC custody with 10 years suspended and another 5 under post-release supervision. He must also give up his law enforcement certification.