In a case that shocked the nation, the sentencing process has come to an end for the six white former officers in Mississippi who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men. The incident involved beatings, stun guns, and even assaults with a sex toy, resulting in one of the victims being shot in the mouth.

The most recent sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Tom Lee to 32-year-old former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield, who received a sentence of approximately 10 years on Thursday afternoon. Hartfield is the final member of the group to face justice for their heinous acts.

Prior to his sentencing, Brett McAlpin, a high-ranking former deputy, expressed remorse and apologized to the victims, stating that their treatment was "wrong" and went against the principles of law enforcement. McAlpin acknowledged that their actions tarnished the reputation of the profession.

Judge Lee has also passed sentences for four other former law enforcement officers involved in the attack. Christian Dedmon, who played a significant role in the assault, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for this incident and another in December 2022. Hunter Elward received a sentence of over 20 years, while Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke were each sentenced to 17.5 years in prison.

Throughout the sentencing process, Judge Lee imposed prison terms that fell near the top of the guidelines, emphasizing the severity and appalling nature of the officers' actions. Lee previously described the attack as "egregious and despicable."

The disturbing incident took place on January 24, 2023, following a racist call that incited extrajudicial violence. A complaint was made by a white individual in Rankin County, alleging that two Black men were present at a house in Braxton where a white woman resided. McAlpin, upon receiving the call, informed Dedmon, who then sent a text message to a group of white deputies, inquiring if they were "available for a mission."

Prosecutors argue that Dedmon's text, stating, "No bad mugshots," gave the officers permission to use excessive force on areas of the victims' bodies that would not be visible in booking photos. Hartfield was assigned to cover the back door during the illegal entry.

Inside the home, the officers subjected the victims to racial slurs, shocking them with stun guns, handcuffing them, and pouring milk, alcohol, and chocolate syrup over their faces. Dedmon and Opdyke even used a sex toy to assault them. The victims were forced to strip naked and shower together to conceal the evidence, while Hartfield guarded the bathroom to prevent their escape.

Tragically, the violence escalated when Elward shot one of the victims in the mouth, causing severe injuries. In an attempt to cover up their actions, McAlpin coerced one of the victims, Eddie Terrell Parker, to remain silent by offering him freedom in exchange. The officers agreed to plant drugs, resulting in false charges that stood against the victims for months.

The majority-white Rankin County, located east of Jackson, has a substantial Black population. According to court documents, the officers shouted discriminatory remarks at the victims, telling them to "stay out of Rankin County and go back to Jackson or 'their side' of the Pearl River."

Attorneys representing some of the deputies claim that their clients became entangled in a culture of corruption within the sheriff's office, citing encouragement from leaders within the agency. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, who assumed office in 2012, provided no details about the officers' actions when announcing their termination in June. After their guilty pleas in August, Bailey labeled the officers as "rogue" and pledged reforms.

Jenkins and Parker, the victims of this horrifying incident, have called for the resignation of Sheriff Bailey and initiated a $400 million civil lawsuit against the department. The community awaits improvements and accountability in the wake of this shocking case.