March 3, 2025 – DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton Monday announced guilty pleas in two cases, one involving a former Horn Lake alderman committing unemployment fraud, and the other a former Southaven police officer accused of helping criminals steal cars.
Barton said Charlie Roberts, who served as a Horn Lake alderman for three terms before being defeated by current Ward 4 Alderman Dave Young in 2021, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of fraud.
“To his credit, before he left court he paid the remaining restitution that was owed to the State Auditor’s office and to the court,” Barton said. “So he did make the effort to make things right eventually, but nevertheless was held accountable.”
The case goes back to September of last year when State Auditor Shad White came to DeSoto County to announce an indictment and arrest of Roberts, charged with taking unemployment benefits while he was an alderman failing to disclose that income. He was released on bond shortly after his arrest.
Roberts did eventually pay back the nearly $17,000 in unemployment benefits he was not entitled to receive, through garnishments and the sale of his home. But Barton said it was important the case be continued to Monday’s conclusion.
“We thought it was important that Mr. Roberts be held accountable for the fraud that he perpetuated on the State of Mississippi and the taxpayer funds,” Barton said.
Charlie Roberts (DeSoto County Jail file photo)
The agreement resulting in Monday’s guilty plea places Roberts on three years post-release supervision.
“As long as he stays out of trouble, he cannot go to jail, but he is a convicted felon because of this,” Barton explained. “He (Roberts) won’t have the right to vote or participate in elections.”
Roberts was initially facing $10,000 in fines and up to five years in prison had he been convicted, but the three years post-release supervision was agreed with Roberts’ age nearing 63 years old, his lack of previous criminal activity, and the fact that he did eventually pay the money owed back.
The District Attorney noted the origin of the Roberts case came through a tip and that tips do work.
“I will take every chance I can to go after someone who is defrauding the public,” said Barton. “DeSoto County does not belong to the ‘good ‘ol boys’ anymore, it belongs to the voters.”
Regarding Herring, Barton said he was a Southaven police officer until the department learned he was part of an ongoing scheme that was helping individuals steal cars in the city and fired him. The department then built a case that was presented to the District Attorney’s office for indictment.
“It involved multiple people but we wanted to single him out as quickly as we could because we did not want someone like getting another job in law enforcement,” Barton said.
Herring was indicted on charges of conspiracy to take a vehicle and accessory after the fact of stealing a motor vehicle in April 2024 and later bonded out.
Barton said Herring entered a guilty plea Monday morning and will be sentenced in May.
