04/22/2024
OFFICIAL STATEMENT | April 10, 2024
AG Fitch Statement on Rankin Six Sentencing
Attorney General Lynn Fitch released the following statement following the sentencing of the Rankin Six (6) in Rankin County Circuit Court this morning:
“The actions of these six men did grave harm to these two victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, and violated the trust of all the citizens they swore to protect. These former officers also violated the trust of the other men and women who honorably wear the uniform - every one of whom will feel the repercussions of the mistrust they sowed between law enforcement and the people. These criminal acts make a difficult job even harder and far more dangerous. And it is left to us all to commit ourselves to repairing that damage.
“Today’s sentencing marks the culmination of fifteen months of model cooperation between our Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Together we worked to ensure justice for these victims in a horrific case of abuse. I am grateful to all the dedicated investigators and prosecutors who worked with us to get to this point where we can begin healing as a community in earnest. I would also like to thank Rankin County Circuit Court Judge Steven Ratliff for his professionalism from the bench in this very high-profile case.”
The Attorney General’s Office worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on the global plea deal in this matter. Mississippi Deputy Attorney General Mary Helen Wall was deputized last year as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the federal case and led the prosecution of the state case, which was investigated by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
The state charges, filed last August, and sentences, ordered today, which will run concurrently with the federal sentences as part of our global plea agreement, are as follows:
Former Rankin County Sheriff Deputy Hunter Elward was charged with Aggravated Assault, Home Invasion, and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 20 years to serve.
Former Rankin County Sheriff Narcotics Investigator Christian Dedmon was charged with Home Invasion and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 20 years to serve.
Former Rankin County Sheriff Chief Investigator Brett McAlpin was charged with Obstruction of Justice/Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 15 years to serve.
Former Rankin County Sheriff Lieutenant Jeffrey Middleton was charged with Obstruction of Justice/Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 15 years to serve.
Former Rankin County Sheriff Deputy Daniel Opdyke was charged with Obstruction of Justice/Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 15 years to serve.
Former Richland Police Department Narcotics Investigator Joshua Hartfield was charged with Obstruction of Justice/Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Obstruction of Justice/Hinder Prosecution and received 10 years to serve.
