Mississippi

Mississippi sheriff’s deputies fired after Black men allege torture and attempted sexual assault in $400 million lawsuit

Published

10 months ago

June 28, 2023

Mississippi sheriff’s deputies fired after Black men allege torture and attempted sexual assault in $400 million lawsuit

A Mississippi sheriff’s department said Tuesday it had fired multiple deputies after two Black men accused them in a federal lawsuit of beating, torturing and sexually violating them. One of the men was nearly killed when an officer put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger, the lawsuit says.

The two men, Michael Jenkins, 32, and Eddie Parker, 35, filed the $400 million federal lawsuit against the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department this month. The lawsuit describes the deputies’ alleged actions as “one of the worst and most bizarre incidents of police misconduct in United States history.”

“Due to recent developments, including findings during our internal investigation, those deputies that are still employed by this department have all been terminated,” Sheriff Bryan Bailey said Tuesday, reading from a prepared statement. The department declined to say how many deputies were fired.

The Rankin County Sheriff’s Department in Brandon, Miss.Google Maps

“We understand that the alleged actions of the deputies have eroded the public’s trust in our department,” added Bailey, who is named in the lawsuit. “Rest assured that we will work diligently to restore that trust.”

Malik Shabazz and Trent Walker, attorneys for the two men, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The FBI, the Justice Department and the U.S. attorney’s office for Southern Mississippi have opened a federal civil rights investigation.

Rankin County, one of Mississippi’s most populous counties, sits just across the Pearl River from Jackson, the state capital. Its population is 74% white and nearly 23% Black, according to the 2022 census. It abuts counties with large Black populations in a state that has long contended with a violent racial history.

Michael Corey Jenkins — Michael Jenkins outside Taylor Hill Church in Braxton, Miss., on March 18. HG Biggs / AP file

The incident comes in a national reckoning over officers’ use of excessive force, with particular scrutiny of the targeting of Black people. Recent shootings and beatings — including the deaths of Aderrien Murry in Indianola, Mississippi, and Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee — have again shined the spotlight on the issue after the country faced mass protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota in 2020.

Jenkins and Parker, who lived together at the time of the alleged assault, claimed in the federal lawsuit that deputies entered their home without cause or warning. The deputies beat, waterboarded, stunned, sexually violated and attacked them with racial slurs, the men say in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that the officers lobbed race-based insults at the men and angrily accused them of dating white women. They allegedly handcuffed and beat the men before they shot them with Tasers 20 to 30 times “in a sadistic contest with each other as to which Taser would be most effective when fired against these two victims,” according to court documents.

The officers then put the two men on their backs and poured water on their faces in an effort to waterboard them, the lawsuit claims, before they sexually assaulted them with a sex toy.

Multiple deputies put their guns to the men’s heads and threatened to kill them, the lawsuit says.

The evening ended when an officer put a gun in Jenkins’ mouth while he was handcuffed, according to the lawsuit. The gunshot allegedly shattered Jenkins’ jaw and severely lacerated his tongue. Several of Jenkins’ arteries were severely damaged, and he almost died, it says. He was then left alone to seek aid, the court documents allege.

While the sheriff’s department would not say how many deputies were relieved, a spokesperson said all those at the scene were fired after the internal investigation. The lawsuit said six officers were at the scene, though it named only three, including Deputy Hunter Elward.

Elward could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

Elward, the officer accused of shooting Jenkins, was previously involved in the death of Damien Cameron, a 29-year-old Black man whose neighbor accused him of vandalism and called the police in 2021, the department has said.

A grand jury declined to indict Elward last year, citing a lack of evidence. Mississippi Public Broadcasting reported Monday that his family still sought justice nearly two years later.

The lawsuit said Bailey, the sheriff, “directly participates in acts of excessive force with the deputies he supervises and has been denied qualified immunity by this court” before it named multiple incidents in which his officers are alleged to have used excessive force.

Bailey said it remained his “privilege” to lead the department.

“I believe in my heart that this department remains one of the best departments in our state, and I am committed to doing everything in my power to keep this department on a correct path moving forward,” Bailey said, reading from his statement.

As reporters peppered him and a spokesperson with questions Tuesday at the end of the news conference, Bailey slowly and quietly edged toward the door. He stopped to say only that he would not resign and that he could not answer further questions.

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Mississippi

You can catch a record fish when this Mississippi state lake opens this month

Published

3 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Press Room

You can catch a record fish when this Mississippi state lake opens this month

‘I’m particularly excited about the crappie fishing. When we did our spring sampling in 2023 they were 10-plus inches. I think the crappie fishing should be excellent.’

Elvis Presley Lake has been closed for three years, but when it reopens this month, not only should the fishing be action-packed, you may be able to set a lake record.

According to Dustin Rodgers, Northeast Mississippi District biologist with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the lake was closed in 2021 as a way of hitting the reset button on fishing.

“We tend to do that when the lakes have gotten old and the fishing is degraded,” Rodgers said. “It’s a restart for the lake. You get new fish and new genetics.”

The lake was drained and upgrades and repairs were made. The lake was stocked in 2022 and the fish are now ready to be caught.

“It should be excellent,” Rodgers said. “During sampling, we did get a few bass over 4 pounds, so they’re exhibiting good growth rates.

“I’m particularly excited about the crappie fishing. When we did our spring sampling in 2023 they were 10-plus inches. I think the crappie fishing should be excellent.”

The lake also offers a unique opportunity. There are lake records for the biggest bass and catfish and those won’t likely be broken any time soon, but no records for other species.

“Currently, crappie, redear and bluegill are open,” Rodgers said. “Automatically, whatever fish people want to turn in will be a lake record.”

More: Catch a boatload of fish when this Mississippi state park lake reopens next week

When will Elvis Presley Lake open?

Youth day: Saturday, May 18, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Anglers 15 and younger only and must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old and has a valid Mississippi fishing license.
General public: May 22, 2024, at 6 a.m. A state lake permit and a valid Mississippi fishing license is required unless exempt under state law.

Upgrades to Elvis Presley Lake

Gravel beds added
New courtesy piers at boat launch
New restroom at boat launch area
New bridge connecting boat launch area and day-use area
Fish attractors added
New lake manager office

What’s next?: MS wildlife commissioner tied to turkey baiting not confirmed by Senate

What fish are stocked in Elvis Presley Lake?

Northern largemouth bass
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Crappie
Redear sunfish

How many fish can I keep?

Bass: 10, only one may be over 22 inches and any between 16 inches and 22 inches must be released
Bream: 50 bluegill, redear sunfish or other similar species such as longear sunfish in aggregate
Catfish: 10
Crappie: 20 with no length limit

How big are the lake record fish?

Largemouth bass: 10 pounds
Bluegill: Open
Catfish: 26 pounds
Crappie: Open
Redear sunfish: Open

How much does it cost?

Fishing permit: $5 for anglers 16-64, $3 for anglers 65 and older or disabled.
Boat launch: $7 for anglers 16-64, $6 for anglers 65 and older or disabled. This also covers the fishing permit fee for the boat owner. Others in the boat must purchase the appropriate fishing permit.
Anglers 15 years and younger: Free
Note: Anglers must have a valid Mississippi freshwater fishing license unless exempt.

Can I camp at Elvis Presley Lake?

The campground remains closed for renovations.
Alternative nearby locations for camping include Trace State Park and Tombigbee State Park.

More information

Size: 322 acres
Location: 272 Road 995 in Lee County near Tupelo
Phone: 662-620-6314

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

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Mississippi

Mississippi State enters postseason play after best SEC finish in 17 years

Published

10 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi State enters postseason play after best SEC finish in 17 years

After finishing .500 or better in Southeastern Conference play for the first time since 2007, Mississippi State is ready for the postseason. And the Bulldogs have a lot to play for this week at Auburn’s Jane B. Moore Field.

The only SEC team to miss the NCAA Tournament in 2023, MSU is all but assured of a return to the tournament this year, but the Bulldogs (33-17, 12-12 SEC) are hoping for more than that. Despite hitting a rough patch in late April, MSU rebounded to win two out of three against Georgia to close the regular season and still has a shot to host a regional for the first time in program history.

The No. 6 seed Bulldogs arrived in Auburn on Monday, giving them plenty of time to prepare for their first SEC Tournament game Wednesday night against 11th-seed South Carolina. A win over the Gamecocks may not move the needle much, but it would send MSU to the quarterfinals against No. 3 seed Texas A&M, and if the Bulldogs can knock off the Aggies, it may just be enough to sneak in and earn a top-16 national seed.

“We’re just really excited,” fifth-year senior pitcher Aspen Wesley said. “As long as we have fun, keep doing what we’re doing and try not to get ahead of ourselves, we’re going to do just fine.”

As of Tuesday, MSU’s RPI was back up to No. 20, but the Bulldogs still have work to do to climb into the hosting conversation — the worst RPI of a team that ended up hosting in the last five tournaments was 18. Some of the peripheral metrics should help, though. MSU is an impressive 11-11 against the top 25 and has 19 wins against the top 50, more than any of the other teams around them in the latest RPI.

The road starts with South Carolina (33-21, 8-16), a team the Bulldogs already took a series from in Columbia back in early April. The Gamecocks have the SEC’s worst team batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage and have hit just 32 home runs, the fewest in the conference. South Carolina’s pitching, though, is among the SEC’s best.

Led by Stanford transfer Alana Vawter, the Gamecocks’ team ERA of 2.02 is behind only conference champion Tennessee, and they keep the ball in the park better than any other SEC team, yielding just 18 homers in the regular season. Sage Mardjetko and Jori Heard complement Vawter to form one of the strongest pitching staffs in the conference.

Texas A&M (39-12, 15-9) took two out of three at Nusz Park in mid-March, but enters the postseason trending in the wrong direction after being swept at Florida. The Aggies, once considered a lock to host, are now down to No. 16 in the RPI, so a potential MSU-A&M quarterfinal matchup could have major implications for Selection Sunday.

With Trinity Cannon, Allie Enright and Jazmine Hill leading the way, the Aggies are second to the Gators in team batting average in the SEC. Tall left-hander Emiley Kennedy is Texas A&M’s ace, with a 20-10 record and a 1.67 ERA in 168 innings pitched.

Wesley comes in pitching the best softball of her career, holding a deep Georgia lineup to one run over 14 innings in two wins last weekend. Sophomore Josey Marron has struggled of late, though, although she did throw a shutout against South Carolina last month.

The Bulldogs’ offense stumbled down the stretch and scored just four runs in the Georgia series despite winning two of three. In particular, MSU needs to get Madisyn Kennedy going again — the fifth-year senior hit 10 homers and drove in 34 runs in March, but was held to just one hit over her last eight games. That one hit was a go-ahead solo shot Friday night against Georgia, but teams are pitching her differently and she has not shown consistency in her adjustments.

The conference tournament is also a homecoming of sorts for Jessie Blaine, who transferred from Auburn last offseason and is batting .328 with a .543 slugging percentage in her first year as a Bulldog.

“She’s such a great team player, and she’s all in for the matchups and for doing whatever she can to help the team,” head coach Samantha Ricketts said. “Just another one who fits so well in our culture when she got here. It feels like she’s been here for three years. We’re excited to have her, taking her back to her original field, but I know she’s proud to be here in the maroon and white.”

MSU

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Mississippi

Rocket City Trash Pandas notch win over Mississippi Braves

Published

17 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Press Room

Rocket City Trash Pandas notch win over Mississippi Braves

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Denzer Guzman made himself right at home with a solo Home Run in his debut for the Rocket City Trash Pandas in their win over the Mississippi Braves 4-2.

Following a 45-minute rain delay prior to the game, Mississippi wasted no time finding the scoreboard as infielder Nacho Alavrez Jr. doubled to drive in the opening run in the first inning.

Rocket City responded in the next half inning as outfielder Eric Wagaman ripped one over the leftfield wall for a two-run homer off Braves starting pitcher Drew Parrish (L, 2-3), giving the Trash Pandas a 2-1 lead.

Mississippi evened the score in the second as infielder Bryson Horne singled in the tying run for the team’s third hit of the inning. The Braves took the lead later in the frame with a sacrifice fly from outfielder Justin Dean.

The Trash Pandas tied the game again in the next half inning as infielder Denzer Guzman hit a solo homer in his first AA at-bat to knot the game at three.

Rocket City grabbed the lead in the fourth as on a hit-and-run, infielder Kyren Paris scored from second off an infield single to short from outfielder Gustavo Campero.

The Trash Pandas bullpen, led by two hitless innings from Ivan Armstrong (W, 3-0) and a 1-2-3 ninth from Michael Darrell-Hicks (S, 3), held the Braves scoreless over the final seven innings to secure the series-opening win.

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