Through an initiative called “Operation Creep Sweep,” the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office has announced the result of 58 felony indictments against sex offenders and predators who failed to report required information.
According to a news release, the charges involve offenders who did not adhere to state law by neglecting to report information such as social media accounts, vehicle registration, changes in residence, and employment status.
“These sick individuals have demonstrated that they cannot be trusted to integrate freely into society,” DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said. “These indictments send a strong message that any failure to comply will be held accountable and rigorously prosecuted by our office. Compliance is not optional; they must be accounted for at all times.”
The felony indictments were the result of work by the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department, which included routine compliance checks on registered sex offenders who require ongoing monitoring.
“The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department deserves a lot of credit for their success in diligently and consistently identifying these offenders who fail to satisfy their legal requirements,” Barton continued. “Our sheriff’s department is responsible for keeping watch over these monsters and sounding the alarm before they can reoffend.”
Offenders in Mississippi are required to present a valid registration receipt from their local sheriff’s office for all registrations, excluding re-registrations. This requirement applies to various situations, including: non-compliant registrants, new registrants, temporary out-of-state registrants, and incarcerated releases.
