Former Mississippi sheriff’s deputy Hunter Elward, aged 31, was sentenced to approximately 20 years in prison by US District Judge Tom Lee for his involvement in the racist assault and torture of two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, as well as for his role in a separate incident where a white man was sexually assaulted.
Elward's sentencing comes after he admitted to participating in the brutal assault on Jenkins and Parker, which occurred on January 24, 2023, in Rankin County, Mississippi. The assault was instigated by a racist call reporting that two Black men were staying with a white woman in the area. Elward and five other former law enforcement officers, including Rankin County deputies and a Richland police officer, unlawfully entered a home without a warrant and subjected Jenkins and Parker to physical and psychological torture using stun guns, a sex toy, and other objects. The victims were subjected to racial slurs, forced nudity, and humiliation.
During the assault, Elward inflicted additional trauma by simulating a mock execution, shoving a gun into Jenkins' mouth and firing it. The officers later attempted to cover up the incident by planting drugs and a weapon.
The sentencing hearing saw emotional testimonies from the victims, with Jenkins expressing his deep trauma and the lasting impact of the assault on his life. Parker, too, recounted his nightmares and the psychological scars left by the ordeal.
Elward, wearing a dark blue jumpsuit, expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to the victims before being sentenced. Parker, in an act of forgiveness, offered forgiveness to Elward in response.
Elward's attorney, Joe Hollomon, cited a culture of corruption within the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office as a contributing factor to his client's actions.
In addition to the assault on Jenkins and Parker, Elward was also sentenced for his role in a separate assault on another individual, Alan Schmidt, which occurred in December 2022.
The sentencing of Elward and his accomplices marks a significant step towards justice for the victims of police brutality and racial violence in Mississippi. The case has highlighted systemic issues within law enforcement agencies and raised questions about accountability and reform in the criminal justice system.
