Aug 14, 2024 – The DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office Wednesday said nearly 60 felony indictments against sex offenders and predators have resulted from an operation called “Operation Creep Sweep.” The 58 indictments are a result of not meeting strict registration requirements set by state law.
The charges involve sex offenders who neglected to report required information such as social media accounts, vehicle registration, changes in residence, and employment status— requirements that must be updated continuously.
“These sick individuals have demonstrated that they cannot be trusted to integrate freely into society,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton in a news release announcing the indictments. “This sends 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.”
Barton credited the Sheriff’s Department for routinely checking on registered sex offenders who required ongoing monitoring. This proactive approach is essential for ensuring adherence to state laws and safeguarding public safety.
“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,” said Barton. “Our Sheriff’s Department is responsible for keeping watch over these monsters, and sounding the alarm before they can reoffend.”
Offenders must present a valid registration receipt from their local sheriff’s office for all registrations, excluding currently active re-registrations. This requirement applies to various situations, including, but not limited to: non-compliant registrants, new registrants, temporary out-of-state registrants, and incarcerated releases.
