Mississippi Black Men Allegedly Tortured, Humiliated By Police Speak Out

Michael Jenkins alleged he was hot in the mouth.

Jenkins is one of two Black men who were allegedly tortured and assaulted in an incident by five Rankin County, Mississippi deputies and one Richland police officer. Jenkins, 32, and Eddie Parker, 35, spoke out on the incident for the first time last week.

Both claim they were at their residence on Jan. 24, saying authorities entered without a warrant to conduct a drug raid.

The deputies and officer beat the men, threw eggs at them and shocked them with tasers for close to 90 minutes while handcuffed, according to a lawsuit filed by the men last month in association with Black Lawyers for Justice. Additionally, the officers attempted to sexually assault the men “with a sex toy before making them shower together before Jenkins was eventually shot in the mouth.”

Jenkins said to the press that he’s been experiencing constant nightmares on his road to rehabilitation.

“It’s been rough,” Jenkins said, having a hard time speaking. “It’s been terrible.”

Parker concurred, saying he will continue to fight for justice.

The lawsuit combats the sheriff’s department and related parties, seeking $400 million in damages.

“I knew I had to fight to get justice because I ain’t got no other choice but to,” Jenkins said.

Since unjust acts against humanity, all coined “deputies” have resigned or been terminated from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department.

Bryan Bailey, the Rankin County Sherrif, "addressed” the situation.

“All investigation efforts related to this incident and provided all information and data requested in a timely manner,” Bailey said. “This will continue until all investigative efforts are complete and justice is served. We cannot, however, confirm or deny any specific facts related to this incident because of active and ongoing investigations.”

No deputies were mentioned in the statement. But the defendants in the plaintiff’s lawsuit are Rankin County Deputies Hunter Elward, Brett Mc’Alpin and Christian Dedmon, as well as three unidentified deputies under the name “John Doe.”

Both Parker and Jenkins referred to Mc’Alphin and Dedmon as “ringleaders” during the press conference.

“When I saw it, I knew it was real," Parker said. “I mean it was a long time coming, but I knew it was real because it was a moment I’d been waiting on. I took it as ‘about time’ and I knew it was coming, just didn’t think it would take so long.”

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus wrote a letter imploring authorities and officials to do the right thing.

“All parties responsible for these heinous crimes should be held accountable for their actions and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent,” the letter stated. “For transparency, we urge you to take action and immediately release the investigative findings related to this incident.”