Oct. 4, 2024 – DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton Thursday said that his office is working with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce state and federal immigration laws. The office is bound under state law to cooperate with federal authorities to ensure the swift deportation of illegal immigrants who pose a threat.
Most recently, Barton’s office said Miguel Godinez was placed in ICE custody and the deportation process has begun.
Godinez is the subject of a criminal contempt of court charge filed against Assistant District Attorney Andrew Willcutt, who was accused by Circuit Court Judge Celeste Wilson earlier in the week of excessive delay in bringing Godinez’ case to a grand jury. Godinez had been in jail since late December 2023 awaiting trial on attempted murder charges in Southaven.
Barton added his office is also working with ICE on the deportation of 13 other illegal immigrants, with immigration holds while now being held in the DeSoto County Adult Detention Center in Hernando.
They are charged with a variety of offenses, ranging from DUI and drug-related crimes to child pornography, assault, and identity theft. They come from countries such as Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico, according to the District Attorney. He said they have accumulated over 1,500 days in county jail, costing taxpayers roughly $184,320 (or about $120 dollars a day) in housing expenses alone, not including the additional costs related to prosecution.
“This is another example of how illegal immigration affects law enforcement, the justice system and the taxpayers,” Barton said in a news release. “Every state is a border state now, creating significant issues for law enforcement everywhere. The border needs to be sealed.”
Officials said the effort to find and deport illegal immigrants will is an ongoing effort.
“We are committed to protecting our community and ensuring that those who break our laws are found and are removed from our community,” Barton said. “We will continue to work with ICE to ensure those illegal immigrants are sent back to their country of origin.”
