DeSoto County Crime Stoppers audit reveals nearly $400,000 spent with no documented crime tips

JACKSON, Miss. – The DeSoto County Crime Stoppers organization spent nearly $400,000 in taxpayer funds over the last decade without providing any evidence that it ever delivered a tip to law enforcement or paid a reward to an informant, according to a report released Monday by State Auditor Shad White.

The audit has raised serious questions about the effectiveness and transparency of the nonprofit, which is funded through fees on local misdemeanors, such as speeding tickets. Since 2015, the organization has received more than $400,000 from local government sources.

Auditor White expressed concern that the organization, intended to combat “spillover crime from the notoriously dangerous city of Memphis,” could not prove its value.

“My fear after reviewing this audit is that there is no proof that Crime Stoppers helps in that mission,” White said. “At minimum, DeSoto County Crime Stoppers needs to keep some kind of records showing they are an effective organization.”

Key Findings and Financial Waste

The Office of the State Auditor’s analysis highlighted several points of concern regarding the nonprofit’s operations and expenditures:

• No Records of Tips or Rewards: DeSoto County Crime Stoppers could not produce any records showing it collected or submitted tips to law enforcement over a 10-year period, nor any records showing a reward paid to an informant during that time.
• High Administrative Costs: More than $240,000—60 percent of the total spending—went to employee salaries, with records indicating only one employee was paid for years.
• Questionable Expenses: The nonprofit paid extra fees to keep one of its two tip hotlines unpublished. In 2023 and 2024, it purchased 3,000 calendars and paid over $600 to ship them 13 miles between two local cities, Hernando and Horn Lake.

This report is part of an ongoing series from the State Auditor’s office examining how nonprofits spend taxpayer money.

“My office will continue auditing every penny of taxpayer money in Mississippi to shine a light on places where government must improve,” White added.

In response to the report, County Attorney Adam Emerson issued a statement on behalf of the Board of Supervisors:

“The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors is aware of, and agrees with, the Auditor’s findings and recommendations related to Crime Stoppers.  The Board will continue withholding funds from Crime Stoppers and explore alternatives for crime-prevention organizations.”

We will update the article as more information becomes available.

The report released by the Auditor’s office may be read here: