Six Former Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced For Torturing, Abusing Two Black Men

By DOJ Photos: YouTube Screenshots WASHINGTON – Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers were sentenced this week for torturing and abusing two Black men in Rankin County, Mississippi.  Senior District Judge Tom Lee sentenced the defendants to terms in prison ranging from 10 to 40 years. Christian Dedmon, 29, former Narcotics Investigator of the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO), was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Brett McAlpin, 53, former RCSO Chief Investigator, was sentenced to 27.25 years in prison. Hunter Elward, 31, former RCSO Deputy, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Jeffrey Middleton, 46, former RCSO Lieutenant, was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison. Daniel Opdyke, 28, former RCSO Deputy, was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison. Joshua Hartfield, 32, former Narcotics Investigator for the Richland Police Department, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. “The depravity of the crimes committed by these defendants cannot be overstated, and they will now spend between 10 and 40 years in prison for their heinous attack on citizens they had sworn to protect,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These defendants kicked in the door of a home where two Black men were residing, handcuffed and arrested them without probable cause,...