Six former law enforcement officers from Rankin County, Mississippi, are being sentenced after pleading guilty to abusing two black men in racially motivated attacks. According to CNN, the incident occurred on January 24 last year.

What’s happening here?

The horrifying incident occurred when a white neighbor reported some black men engaging in “suspicious activity” at a nearby property, the report added.

RCSO Chief Investigator Brett McAlpin directed Christian Dedmon to investigate the matter. Officer Dedmon then called out a group of officers known as the “Thug Squad,” who were recognized for their “willingness to use excessive force” without accountability, the report said.

According to the Mississippi Free Press, during the incident, two black men (Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker) were handcuffed and brutally beaten, sexually assaulted and Tasered for approximately 90 minutes.

After being brutally tortured, police fabricated false narratives and tampered with evidence to cover up their actions rather than provide medical assistance to the victims, the report said.

Who are involved?

The officers, who call themselves the “Rug Squad,” include former Rankin County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) officers Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Hunter Ellward Hunter Elward, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke, as well as former Richland County Sheriff’s Department Officer Joshua Hartfield. Police Department, according to CNN.

The report said they pleaded guilty to a total of 16 federal charges, including conspiracy to commit civil rights, deprivation of rights under the color of law, discharge of a firearm during a violent crime, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice.

About the proceedings

According to reports, the Department of Justice has filed a total of 13 felony charges against the six police officers, involving “torture and physical abuse” against the two, and has determined their sentencing schedule.

Hunter Ellward and Jeffrey Middleton will be sentenced on Tuesday, Christian Dedmon and Daniel Opdyke on Wednesday, and Joshua Hatfield and Brett McCall Ping will be sentenced on Thursday.

Mr Jenkins, Mr Parker and their lead lawyer Malik Shabazz will hold a news conference on Monday before the proceedings begin, and both victims will speak and testify at the sentencing hearing.