June 19, 2025 – DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton announced that 29-year-old Matthew Cunningham of Arkansas was sentenced today to 15 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to burglary of a commercial building, possession of burglary tools, and grand larceny involving property valued over $1,000.
Cunningham, a habitual offender, must serve the full 15-year sentence day-for-day, without the possibility of early release.
He will also serve two years of post-release supervision following his incarceration.
The charges stem from a break-in at a Dollar General in Hernando last year. Officers with the Hernando Police Department responded to a burglary-in-progress and caught Cunningham at the back door of the business actively committing the crime. Once spotted by officers, Cunningham immediately dropped the stolen items and surrendered.
Matthew Cunningham (DeSoto County Jail photo)
“This was a textbook example of how proactive policing and quick response can stop a crime in progress,” said District Attorney Barton. “Thanks to the rapid response of the Hernando Police Department, this repeat offender was caught in the act and will now face the hard consequences of his actions.”
“Let this serve as a reminder: This isn’t Memphis, this is DeSoto County, and crime doesn’t pay. It pleads guilty. If you come into our communities to steal or cause harm, you will be held accountable—every single time,” Barton continued.
This case was investigated by Hernando Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gordon Shaw.
DeSoto County District Attorney’s office news release
