Hyde-Smith campaigns with sheriff tied to Rankin County abuse scandal

Mississippi Senator Campaigns Alongside Sheriff Amidst Allegations

Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith was recently seen at a political breakfast in Rankin County on March 7, campaigning with Sheriff Bryan Bailey. The senator is vying for reelection, seeking a second term in office.

In January 2023, a shocking incident occurred when five officers from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office allegedly entered a home without a warrant and subjected two Black men to severe abuse. The victims were reportedly tased repeatedly, beaten, and had a sex toy forced down their throats. One of the men was shot accidentally when an officer’s gun shattered his jaw. The victims claimed that racial slurs were used during the attack. More details can be found in the original report.

All involved officers have pleaded guilty to several charges, including hate crimes. However, some residents of Rankin County argue that this incident was not unique. The New York Times reported that many locals, primarily poor or Black, have either experienced or witnessed similar acts of police brutality. Allegations include one man being tased and having a stick forced down his throat, and another being threatened with sodomy by a flashlight after being dragged from bed.

The group of officers allegedly called themselves “The Goon Squad.”

Sheriff Bailey expressed surprise at the abuse allegations, claiming ignorance of such events despite several reports being made to his office. “I have 240 employees, there’s no way I can be with them each and every day,” he explained to The New York Times.

Hyde-Smith has not publicly addressed the January incident or subsequent trials. Her political history includes opposition to a bipartisan police reform bill and previous controversial remarks.

Further allegations against Bailey include a 2016 incident where he allegedly misused a subpoena to access an ex-girlfriend’s phone records, though no charges followed. Local officials were accused of covering up this investigation. More recently, some inmates claimed Bailey made them perform labor on his mother’s farm, with varied reports about compensation.

Bailey is also accused of using county resources for personal farm use.

Looking ahead to November’s election, Hyde-Smith will face Democrat Scott Colm, a district attorney known for his role in prosecuting a sheriff’s office for alleged inmate exploitation. More on Colm’s work can be read here.