‘Safeguarding taxpayer dollars’: 2 former public officials in DeSoto Co. plead guilty to charges, DA announces

DESOTO CO., Miss. (WMC) - A former elected official and a police officer pleaded guilty to the charges against them Monday.

Desoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said he is going after everyone who is breaking the law, even if that is an elected official.

“Share priorities when it comes to safeguarding taxpayer dollars,” he said.

In 2024, Barton announced former Horn Lake Alderman Charles Roberts was indicted in pandemic-era unemployment benefits fraud.

Monday, he was sentenced to three years of post-conviction supervision, meaning he can not commit any more crimes and has to keep a job.

“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,” said Barton.

Barton said Roberts collected over $16,000 in unemployment benefits while he was receiving a full-time alderman’s salary.

“When he applied in May for the relief, he failed to disclose his full-time salary as an alderman in Horn Lake,” said Barton. “Then, in his weekly recertifications, when the paperwork asked, ‘Did you receive income or money from another source,’ he purposefully omitted his salary as a Horn Lake alderman.”

After the state auditor’s investigation, it was found Roberts owed over $20,000, according to Barton.

Through wage garnishment and the selling of his home, Roberts paid back the money and restitution, according to the DA.

Tony Herring Jr. waits to be sentenced after pleading guilty Monday to accessory after the fact.

Barton said the former Southaven police officer was involved in a car theft scheme.

“As a police officer, while he was on duty, he was providing information and help to other criminals who were stealing cars in Southaven,” he said.

Herring Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced in May. He is out on bond while he waits for that date.

Barton said no one is above the law and he is working to hold everyone accountable.

“I’ll take every chance I can to go after someone who is defrauding the public, whether it is an elected official or not,” he said.

Barton said there are still others they believe are involved in the car theft scheme in Southaven. He said they are still investigating that case.

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