Hunter Elward, a former police officer from Rankin County, Mississippi, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in the torture and sexual assault of two Black men. This sentencing marks the first in a group of ex-officers involved in the heinous attack that occurred in 2023.
Elward, along with five other white officers known as the “Goon Squad,” engaged in the brutal assault on the victims, during which one of them was shot. Elward pleaded guilty to the shooting last summer. The remaining five officers, including former sheriff’s deputies Christian Dedmon and Daniel Opdyke, who will also face sentencing, have also admitted their guilt in the case.
The attack, characterized by federal prosecutors as an act of racial hatred, involved the officers unlawfully entering the victims’ home and subjecting them to hours of torture and attempted sexual assault. Reports indicate that the officers even planted a gun and concocted a cover story to conceal their actions.
During the emotional sentencing hearing, Elward expressed remorse and apologized to the victims, accepting full responsibility for his actions. However, the gravity of the crimes committed by the “Goon Squad” was not lost on the court.
In related developments, Daniel Opdyke has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for his involvement in the attack. This follows the sentencing of another former deputy to 20 years in prison in connection to the case.
The sentencing of these ex-officers serves as a significant moment in addressing police misconduct and racial violence, highlighting the ongoing efforts to hold law enforcement accountable for their actions.
