There are 11 article(s) tagged DeSoto County District Attorney:

• July 2026

  • DeSoto DA asks court to throw out suit over ‘pedophile sympathizer’ comment

    DeSoto County Schools board member Michele Henley filed suit last week accusing Barton of defamation.

    By Aarron Fleming July 09, 2026

• October 2025

  • Former youth pastor spared prison for child sexual battery

    A former high school coach and youth minister at a DeSoto County church pleaded guilty to sexual battery with a minor, but her sentence was considered too lenient by District Attorney Matthew Barton.

    By Brandon LaGrone II October 14, 2025

• November 2024

  • Jashawn Jefferson trial delayed again, leading to upset judge

    Jashawn Jefferson was scheduled to appear in court Monday, Nov. 18, for a second attempt to seat a jury, following a delay from April that resulted in the court ordering DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office to pay more than $2,000 in court costs. 

    By Rob Moore November 25, 2024

  • DeSoto County DA to take proactive role in deporting immigrant inmates

    DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton announced “Operation Final Departure” to help the incoming Trump administration with its vow to deport immigrants. Barton’s effort will focus on inmates in the DeSoto County jail.

    By Rob Moore November 22, 2024

• August 2024

  • Olive Branch man indicted on attempted murder of police officer

    Colby Towles, 34, was indicted on two counts, one for attempted murder and another for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer stemming from his arrest in March.

    By Rob Moore August 16, 2024

• June 2024

  • DeSoto supervisors amend budget to give DA an additional prosecutor

    This approval means the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office will employ seven assistant district attorneys as it prepares to deliver more than 450 indictments, a total that would set a record for the county and the state. 

    By Rob Moore June 19, 2024

• May 2024

  • MBI special agent awarded for role in arrest of former Southaven officer

    “Capt. Farish represents everything that is good in law enforcement,” said DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton as he presented Farish with his office’s Behind the Badge Award. “He represents everything we strive to emulate.” 

     

    By Rob Moore May 29, 2024

• April 2024

  • Former Southaven police officer accused of assisting in auto thefts

    Tony Herring Jr. is charged with one count of felony vehicle theft and one count of conspiracy to commit vehicle theft, although law enforcement believes he is connected in multiple open cases. 

    By Rob Moore April 10, 2024

  • DeSoto DA Matthew Barton marks 100 days with 900 felony charges

    In his first 100 days as district attorney, Matthew Barton has initiated the first phase of his grand jury restructuring plan, created a new task force to expedite the apprehension of violent criminals and created the agency’s first-ever Public Corruption Division.

    By Rob Moore April 10, 2024

• January 2024

  • DeSoto County DA forms partnership to battle human trafficking

    In 2023, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department said they encountered about 55 human trafficking victims. The north Mississippi county often leads the state in human trafficking arrests. 

    By Rob Moore January 11, 2024

• September 2023

  • DeSoto County DA-elect announces advisory committee

    Matthew Barton, soon-to-be DeSoto County’s new district attorney, has set up a transition team and a website for applicants seeking to work for his office.

    By Beth Sullivan September 29, 2023