Senior U.S. District Judge Tom Lee, who most recently presided over the guilty pleas of the “Goon Squad” of Rankin County law enforcement officers, will stop hearing cases next month in Jackson, closing out over 40 years since his appointment to the bench.
Lee, 85, will assume inactive status in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. His existing cases will be assigned to other judges in the district.
Chief U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden said Lee held himself to a high standard and maintained a level of professionalism and excellence throughout his tenure. That work earned him the respect of judges, lawyers and litigants.
“The judges of our Court join me in congratulating Judge Lee on his lengthy record of dedicated
service to the federal judiciary,” Ozerden said in a Tuesday statement. “He has been a friend and mentor, and he will be deeply missed. We wish him all the best.”
Lee handled a range of civil and criminal cases, including personal injury lawsuits, Voting Rights Act violations and extortion.
In 2024, he presided over the trial and sentencing of former law enforcement officers known as the “Goon Squad” who handcuffed, beat and shocked two Black men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, during a warrantless raid of Parker’s home in January 2023. Lee sentenced the Rankin County sheriff’s deputies to between 17 ½ and 40 years in federal prison and he sentenced a Richland police officer who was also involved to 10 years imprisonment.
Lee is highly regarded for his intellect and a reputation for fairness and integrity, Ozerden said. He is a true “gentleman judge” who demonstrates the qualities of humility, courtesy, compassion and civility – all valuable characteristics in a judicial officer, Ozerden said.
Lee was appointed to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
He served as chief judge from 1996 to 2003. During his tenure, Lee oversaw the implementation of the district’s electronic case filing and management system that is still in use.
Lee took senior status in April 2006 when he was succeeded by District Judge Daniel Jordan.
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