Two former public officials in DeSoto County have pleaded guilty as the local prosecutor takes a stand against corruption in Mississippi. Former Horn Lake Alderman Charles Roberts and ex-Southaven police officer Tony Herring Jr. faced legal consequences this week. Roberts has been sentenced to supervised release, while Herring is awaiting sentencing, as FOX 13 Memphis reported.
Roberts was implicated in unemployment fraud, accused of illegally obtaining nearly $17,000 in pandemic aid while still receiving his full-time alderman’s salary. District Attorney Matthew Barton expressed his commitment to pursuing those who defraud the public, stating, "There’s few things that boil my blood more than a taxpayer getting ripped off. So, I am thankful to the good people in the state auditor’s office for bringing forth the effort to bring this case to us," as reported by Action News 5. Roberts was ordered to pay back the money through wage garnishment and by selling his home.
Herring, who was fired from the Southaven Police Department, is linked to a car theft operation. Barton told Action News 5, "As a police officer, while he was on duty, he was providing information and help to other criminals who were stealing cars in Southaven." Herring is also charged as an accessory after the fact in the operation. He remains out on bond until his sentencing in May.
DA Barton emphasized the end of the "good old boys" era in DeSoto County, stating, "DeSoto County does not belong to the good old boys anymore. It belongs to you, the voters," according to a statement obtained by FOX13 Memphis. This reflects efforts to strengthen trust and integrity within local institutions.
Barton issued a clear warning to potential wrongdoers, saying, "Every garden has some weeds, so I don’t mind plucking a weed out here or there," in a statement published by WREG.
Barton’s office noted that these guilty pleas are part of a broader effort to address unlawful activities in DeSoto County, particularly by those who once held public trust. "I am not done with DeSoto County," Barton told FOX13 Memphis, reaffirming his goal to hold wrongdoers accountable and protect taxpayer funds.
