DeSoto County District Attorney's Office

06/11/2026

DESOTO COUNTY MAN INDICTED FOR ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD AND FONDLING

HERNANDO, Miss. — A DeSoto County Grand Jury has indicted Paxton Bell today on charges of Enticement of a Child and Fondling.

The indictment follows an investigation into allegations involving a minor victim. After reviewing the evidence presented, the Grand Jury returned a true bill charging Bell with both offenses.

“If you target a child in DeSoto County, expect to be prosecuted,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “We will use every tool available under the law to protect children and hold predators accountable.”

The case remains pending in the Circuit Court of DeSoto County.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

06/11/2026

ILLEGAL ALIEN INDICTED FOR BRUTAL MACHETE SLAYING IN SOUTHAVEN

HERNANDO, Miss. — A DeSoto County Grand Jury has indicted Maberic Javier Reyes, 21, an illegal alien from Honduras, for the brutal murder of his roommate during a machete attack that occurred in Southaven on January 13, 2026.

According to investigators, Reyes is accused of killing the victim, also an illegal alien from Mexico, with a machete following an argument inside a residence. The attack resulted in a gruesome crime scene and the victim’s death.

The case was investigated by the Southaven Police Department and presented to a DeSoto County Grand Jury, which returned an indictment in less than five months from the date of the homicide.

“This indictment is a testament to the outstanding work of the Southaven Police Department and our team, who moved with urgency to ensure this dangerous criminal was brought to justice,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton.

Barton noted that the case moved from homicide to indictment in record time.

“To secure a murder indictment in less than five months is an extraordinary accomplishment.”

The case remains pending in the Circuit Court of DeSoto County.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

06/07/2026

06/05/2026

🌟 SHOOTING STAR OF THE WEEK 🌟

MISSISSIPPI SHOOTER SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS

HERNANDO, Miss. — Jaquillna Twilley, 24, has been sentenced to a total of 40 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Attempted Murder and Armed Robbery.

Twilley received a sentence of 30 years to serve for Attempted Murder and 10 years to serve for Armed Robbery. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, resulting in a total sentence of 40 years. The sentence will also run consecutive to a sentence Twilley is currently serving.

The charges stemmed from a violent shooting and robbery in Horn Lake at a home barber shop. Following an investigation by the Horn Lake Police Department, Twilley was identified as the offender and taken into custody.

“This sentence would not have been possible without the outstanding work of the Horn Lake Police Department,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “Because of their efforts, a violent criminal will spend the next 40 years behind bars instead of threatening our community.”

The case was investigated by the Horn Lake Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Roshawrin Williams.

06/05/2026

MEMPHIS WOMAN, 35, SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER

HERNANDO, Miss. — Courtnie Williams, 35, of Memphis, has been sentenced to 40 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections after pleading guilty today to Attempted Murder.

Williams, who was previously in a relationship with the victim, entered the victim’s home and fired multiple shots, striking the victim in the stomach. She later forced the victim into a vehicle at gunpoint. The victim ultimately escaped by jumping out of the moving car, suffering additional serious injuries during the ordeal. Williams later surrendered to law enforcement.

Williams was sentenced to 40 years to serve for Attempted Murder and received an additional 20 years of post-release supervision for Kidnapping.

“Violent criminals should take notice: if you commit a crime like this in DeSoto County, don’t expect to breathe free air again anytime soon,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “Forty years is a long time, and that’s exactly the point.”

The case was investigated by the Southaven Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Steele.

06/03/2026

MEMPHIS TEEN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR SOUTHAVEN ARMED CARJACKING

HERNANDO, MISS. — A Memphis juvenile has been sentenced to 15 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for an armed carjacking that occurred in Southaven.

Larry Scruggs pled guilty to Armed Carjacking and was sentenced to serve 15 years in MDOC custody, followed by 15 years of post-release supervision, with five years reporting.

According to investigators, Scruggs, a native Memphian, participated in the armed theft of a vehicle in Southaven and attempted to take the stolen vehicle back to Memphis, a pattern law enforcement officers in DeSoto County encounter all too often.

District Attorney Matthew Barton said the case highlights a troubling trend that law enforcement agencies in DeSoto County continue to encounter.

“I warned everyone that kids making adult decisions were going to get adult time. No more warnings,” said Barton. “If you come to Mississippi to commit crime, expect prison time.”

Barton also praised the Southaven Police Department for its work on the case.

“I want to thank the Southaven Police Department for its thorough investigation,” Barton said. “Their efforts helped ensure a dangerous offender was removed from our streets and brought to justice.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Willcutt

06/02/2026

SEMINARIAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD EXPLOITATION CHARGE

HERNANDO, MISS. — A DeSoto County man has pleaded guilty to child exploitation after investigators discovered he was actively uploading and downloading child s*xual abuse material from a residence in Nesbit.

On June 1, 2026, Jonathan Tu Nguyen-Vuong pleaded guilty in DeSoto County Circuit Court to one count of Child Exploitation for uploading and downloading known images of child s*xual abuse material. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 3, 2026, and faces a sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

The case began as DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office investigators participated in an ongoing investigation involving the transmission of child s*xual abuse material over the internet. During the course of that investigation, investigators identified a device located at St. Michael’s Community House in Nesbit as a source of uploaded and downloaded child s*xual abuse material.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and executed it at the residence. During the search, Nguyen-Vuong was identified as the individual responsible for the activity. Investigators discovered that his computer was actively uploading and downloading child s*xual abuse material while law enforcement was conducting the search.

Law enforcement further learned that Nguyen-Vuong was working at a summer camp involving children. He also admitted to teaching religion to children and serving as a seminarian. Investigators quickly took Nguyen-Vuong into custody.

During an interview with investigators, Nguyen-Vuong confessed to uploading and downloading child s*xual abuse material. As a precaution, investigators contacted parents of children who had been around Nguyen-Vuong to ensure their safety and determine whether any additional victims existed.

Investigators noted that the religious community associated with St. Michael’s Community House was cooperative throughout the investigation.

Lead prosecutor Steven Jubera said, “as a prosecutor and faithful Catholic it is my duty to ensure the Church and schools are a safe place for children to be. The work of investigators and the long sentence we will be asking the court for will protect children from any predator”.

The case remains pending sentencing.

05/29/2026

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AT HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL ARRESTED ON CHILD PO*******HY CHARGE

HERNANDO, MISS. — Preston Ivan Lewis, 69, was arrested today and charged with one count of Child Po*******hy (Producing, Sending, Receiving, Distribution, or Possession) following an investigation by local law enforcement authorities.

Lewis served as a substitute teacher teaching Spanish at Hernando High School. However, we want to be clear that Lewis was not an employee of the DeSoto County School District. He was employed through Kelly Services, a third-party staffing company that provides substitute personnel to school districts.

District Attorney Matthew Barton acknowledged the concerns of parents and emphasized that investigators are working diligently to identify any additional victims.

“We have heard the concerns from parents and want you all to know that this is an ongoing investigation, and information continues to come in while we sift through the digital evidence already collected,” said Barton. “All individuals who can be identified so far have been contacted. We will immediately contact victims if additional people are identified.”

Barton also praised the swift response of the DeSoto County School District and law enforcement.

“The DeSoto County School District’s response was immediate and exemplary,” said Barton. “Their swift action helped protect our children, and I thank the district and law enforcement for their hard work in this case involving a depraved individual.”

Because this remains an active investigation, additional information will be released when appropriate and when doing so will not compromise the ongoing investigation.

05/20/2026

MEMPHIS FELON FOUND GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS AFTER TWO DAY DESOTO COUNTY TRIAL

HERNANDO, Miss. — District Attorney Matthew Barton announced today that a DeSoto County jury has found Memphis resident Derrick Raimey guilty on all counts following a two day trial in DeSoto County Circuit Court.

Raimey was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of co***ne, and possession of fentanyl.

According to evidence presented at trial, Raimey, a habitual offender with a criminal history in Shelby County, Tennessee, was found in possession of both illegal narcotics and a firearm despite being legally prohibited from possessing a weapon due to his prior felony convictions.

The case was investigated by the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department, whose work helped secure the guilty verdict on all three charges.

“Fentanyl is poison, plain and simple. This office will not tolerate any drugs, being brought into DeSoto County,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “It does not matter if it’s a large trafficking operation or a smaller amount on the street. This drug destroys lives, kills people, and we will aggressively prosecute anyone caught dealing it.”

Because Raimey was prosecuted as a habitual offender, he faces enhanced penalties under Mississippi law. Sentencing will take place at a later date.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rosharwin Williams.

05/19/2026

MEMPHIS MAN CAUGHT FILMING WOMEN IN KROGER BATHROOM CONVICTED

HERNANDO, Miss. — District Attorney Matthew Barton announced that 39-year-old Memphis resident Skylar Flynn was sentenced yesterday after being convicted of voyeurism.

Flynn was found hiding inside a stall in the women’s restroom at the Southaven Kroger and secretly taking pictures and video recordings of unsuspecting women using his cell phone.

According to records from the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office, Flynn was discovered by an individual inside the restroom who noticed his actions and immediately alerted law enforcement.

Flynn was later apprehended by the Bartlett Police Department in connection with a similar incident, leading to his prosecution in DeSoto County.

“As a father and husband, these types of crimes are especially disturbing to me,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “This sick individual targeted unsuspecting women in one of the most private settings imaginable, violating their privacy in a way no person should ever have to experience.”

Flynn was sentenced to three years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, followed by two years of post-release supervision. Under Mississippi law, voyeurism carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Flynn will also be required to register as a s*x offender for the remainder of his life.

“Know this: my office will do everything within the full power of the law to protect the women and children of DeSoto County from predators like this,” continued District Attorney Matthew Barton. “If you target innocent women in our community, we will find you, prosecute you, and hold you accountable.”

The case was investigated by the Southaven Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Willcutt.