Rankin County, Mississippi — For nearly two decades, a group of sheriff’s deputies in this rural area east of Jackson allegedly operated like a rogue unit, terrorizing residents under the guise of pursuing drug crimes. Known among themselves as the “Goon Squad,” these officers are accused of beating, tasing, and choking suspects until they confessed to buying or selling illegal substances, according to a recent investigation by journalists from Mississippi Today and The New York Times.
The revelations came to light in 2023, ending what victims describe as a long reign of unchecked brutality. One witness, Andrea Dettore-Murphy, recounted her harrowing experiences, saying she initially dismissed local rumors about the department's ruthlessness when she moved to the county. But in 2018, she watched in horror as deputies raided the home of her friend Rick Loveday and subjected him to relentless beatings.
Dettore-Murphy's ordeal didn't end there. A few years later, she said, the same group targeted her friend Robert Grozier in another violent encounter. “I didn’t believe the stories,” Dettore-Murphy told reporters, reflecting on how the incidents shattered her skepticism. These accounts form part of a broader pattern detailed in a Mother Jones report, which highlights how the Goon Squad's actions affected at least 22 people since the early 2000s.
The deputies reportedly roamed the county at night, focusing on suspected drug offenders. Their methods were extreme: physical assaults that left lasting injuries, electric shocks from tasers, and chokeholds designed to extract admissions. Victims allege that the officers operated without oversight, creating an atmosphere of fear in Rankin County, a place already known for its tough-on-crime stance.
Garry Curro, identified as one of the Goon Squad’s many alleged victims, spoke bluntly about the department's reputation. “Rankin County has always been notorious,” Curro said. “They don’t follow the laws of the land. They make their own laws.” His words echo a sentiment shared by others who claim to have endured similar treatment, painting a picture of law enforcement that prioritized intimidation over due process.
The investigation, led by reporters Brian Howey and Nate Rosenfield, was featured this week on Reveal, a podcast from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Their work, in collaboration with Mississippi Today and The New York Times, uncovered a timeline of abuse stretching back to the early 2000s. The report notes that the Goon Squad's activities continued unabated until federal authorities intervened in 2023, leading to the exposure and subsequent charges against several deputies.
According to the findings, the group's tactics were not isolated incidents but a systematic approach to drug enforcement. Deputies would allegedly burst into homes without warrants in some cases, using violence to coerce confessions. One victim described being tased repeatedly while handcuffed, forced to admit to drug possession under duress. The report emphasizes that these actions violated basic civil rights, turning routine investigations into sessions of torture.
Rankin County's sheriff’s department has faced scrutiny before, but the Goon Squad's operations represent an extreme escalation. Local officials have not publicly commented on the specific allegations in the recent report, but past statements from the department have defended their aggressive stance on drugs as necessary for community safety. However, victims and advocates argue that such methods crossed into criminal territory, eroding trust in law enforcement.
“When Andrea Dettore-Murphy first moved to Rankin County, Mississippi, she didn’t believe the stories she heard about how brutal the sheriff’s department could be when pursuing suspected drug crimes. But in 2018, she learned the hard way that the rumors were true when a group of sheriff’s deputies raided the home of her friend Rick Loveday and beat him relentlessly while she watched.”
This excerpt from the Mother Jones article underscores the personal toll of the alleged abuses. Dettore-Murphy's experiences are corroborated by other witnesses, who describe a pattern of nighttime raids and unprovoked violence. In one instance, deputies reportedly choked a suspect until he gasped for air, only relenting after a forced confession.
The broader context reveals Rankin County as a hotspot for drug-related arrests in Mississippi, with statistics showing high rates of opioid and methamphetamine seizures. According to state data, the county reported over 500 drug arrests in 2022 alone, though experts note that aggressive policing may inflate these numbers through coerced admissions. Civil rights groups, including the ACLU of Mississippi, have called for federal oversight, citing the Goon Squad case as evidence of systemic issues.
While the deputies involved have not been named in the public report for legal reasons, court documents from 2023 indicate that at least five officers faced charges ranging from assault to civil rights violations. Federal prosecutors described the group as a “self-proclaimed Goon Squad” in indictments, alleging they conspired to cover up their actions. Defense attorneys for the accused have argued that the claims are exaggerated, pointing to a lack of video evidence in many cases.
One differing viewpoint comes from supporters of the sheriff’s department, who say the focus on a few bad actors ignores the dangers deputies face in combating drug trafficking. A local resident, speaking anonymously to Mississippi Today, said, “These guys put their lives on the line every day against cartels and dealers. Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.” This perspective highlights the tension between community safety and allegations of overreach.
The exposure in 2023 marked a turning point, with the U.S. Department of Justice launching a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office. As of November 2025, the probe remains ongoing, with potential for broader reforms. Victims like Curro hope for accountability, stating that the department's culture allowed the Goon Squad to thrive for so long.
In the wake of these revelations, Mississippi lawmakers have proposed bills to increase body camera usage and independent oversight for rural sheriff departments. Advocates argue that without such measures, similar abuses could persist in other counties. The story of the Goon Squad serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in local law enforcement, particularly in areas where drug enforcement is prioritized over civil liberties.
As investigations continue, the broader implications extend beyond Rankin County. National discussions on police reform have intensified, with this case drawing comparisons to other high-profile incidents of brutality. What happens next could shape how Mississippi addresses its history of aggressive policing, potentially leading to statewide changes in training and accountability.