"Mississippi 'Goon Squad' Officers Sentenced to Prison for Torturing 2 Black Men"

Former Mississippi law enforcement officer Joshua Hartfield was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the torture of two Black men, while former deputy Brett McAlpin received a sentence of more than 27 years. The officers burst into a home without a warrant, used racial slurs, beat the men, assaulted them with a sex toy, and shot one of them in the mouth. The former officers concocted a cover story and fabricated evidence to hide their crimes. Other officers involved received sentences ranging from 17½ to 40 years. The former officers also pleaded guilty to state charges and are awaiting sentencing, while the victims have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit seeking $400 million in damages.