DeSoto County District Attorney's Office

09/01/2026

DESOTO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE LAUNCHES SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT

New specialized unit made possible through partnership and funding from the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors

HERNANDO, Miss. — District Attorney Matthew Barton announced today the creation of a new Special Victims Unit within the District Attorney’s Office, a specialized effort dedicated to identifying, pursuing, and prosecuting child predators and those who exploit our most vulnerable victims.

The new unit was made possible through the support and funding of the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors and represents a significant investment in the county’s ability to aggressively pursue child predators, strengthen prosecutions, and protect children from s*xual abuse and exploitation.

“Child predators should understand exactly what this means: we are coming after you,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “If you prey on a child in DeSoto County, we are going to use every resource available to build the strongest case against you and fight to put you behind bars. And now we have a dedicated team to do that.”

The Special Victims Unit will provide dedicated resources focused on cases involving child s*xual abuse, exploitation, internet crimes against children, and other serious offenses involving vulnerable victims. By concentrating personnel and resources on these complex cases, the District Attorney’s Office will be better positioned to work with law enforcement agencies, develop cases, pursue offenders, and move prosecutions forward.

Barton credited Supervisor Mark Gardner and the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors for helping make the new unit possible.

“This would not have happened without Mark Gardner and the support of the Board of Supervisors,” Barton said. “Mark understood what we were trying to accomplish from the beginning and worked with us to help make it a reality. I am extremely grateful to him and the entire Board for being willing to invest in something that will directly strengthen our ability to protect our children.”

DeSoto County Supervisor Mark Gardner said investments like the Special Victims Unit are an important part of the county’s responsibility to public safety.

“DeSoto County already spends significant resources arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating dangerous criminals, but there are few things more important than protecting our children,” Gardner said. “When District Attorney Barton came to us with a plan to dedicate additional resources specifically to these cases, I believed it was something worth investing in. If this unit helps find predators sooner, protect more children, and put dangerous offenders behind bars, then it is money well spent.”

Barton said the creation of the unit also sends a message about the priority DeSoto County places on combating crimes against children.

The Special Victims Unit is part of the District Attorney’s Office’s continued effort to strengthen the prosecution of violent crimes and crimes against children throughout DeSoto County.

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08/27/2026

MEMPHIS MAN SENTENCED TO 60 YEARS FOR KIDNAPPING, SEXUAL ASSAULT

HERNANDO, Miss. – Antonio Maben, 45, of Memphis, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed by law, following his conviction for kidnapping and s*xual assault, the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

“The vile and heinous acts committed by this predator have no place in any community, especially ours,” Jubera said. “I am proud of our office, and especially Special Agent Chad Gatewood, for the work that went into taking this monster out of the free world.”

Maben will not be eligible for release until he is approximately 92 years old.

The case stemmed from a horrifying attack in which a mother discovered Maben s*xually assaulting her daughter. After being confronted, Maben held both the mother and daughter at gunpoint until law enforcement intervened.

Maben was arrested on May 3, 2025. Approximately 16 months later, the case ended with a conviction and a 60-year prison sentence, reflecting the expedited work of the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office, its prosecutors, the dispatcher and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department in bringing a dangerous offender to justice.

“Sexual assault does not end when the crime is over. Victims can carry the consequences of these horrific acts for the rest of their lives,” Jubera said. “No prison sentence can undo what happened, but this sentence delivers accountability and an unmistakable warning: if you commit heinous crimes like these in Mississippi, we will hunt down the evidence, prosecute you, and fight to put you in prison for as long as the law allows.”

The case was investigated by the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera of the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office.

08/06/2026

SEMINARIAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION

HERNANDO, Miss. — Jonathan Tu Nguyen-Vuong was sentenced today in DeSoto County Circuit Court following his conviction of one count of child exploitation involving the possession, uploading, and downloading of child s*xual abuse material.

“Regardless of your title, position, or standing in the community, anyone who exploits children in DeSoto County will be aggressively prosecuted,” Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera said. “Because of the full cooperation of the religious community and the swift action of law enforcement and prosecutors, this predator will now spend a lengthy sentence behind bars.”

The court sentenced Nguyen-Vuong to 25 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with 10 years suspended and 15 years to serve. Upon his release, he will be subject to 15 years of post-release supervision and required to register as a s*x offender.

The investigation began while the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department was conducting an ongoing investigation into the downloading and transmission of child s*xual abuse material.

During the investigation, deputies traced the illegal activity to a device located at St. Michael’s Community House in Nesbit, and Nguyen-Vuong was identified as the individual responsible for the illegal activity. Investigators discovered his computer actively uploading and downloading child s*xual abuse material while the investigation was underway.

The case was investigated by the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera.

07/25/2026

On National Hire a Veteran Day, we recognize the men and women who answered our nation’s call to serve. We are especially proud to recognize our own veterans, Steve Jubera and Brad Newsom, for their continued service to the State of Mississippi.

07/23/2026

07/16/2026

PANOLA COUNTY CHILD PREDATOR SENTENCED TO 32 YEARS

HERNANDO, Miss. — Joseph Guidi, of Panola County, has been sentenced to 32 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to one count of fondling and one count of s*xual battery of a child under the age of 14.

"True justice requires that the most severe punishments be reserved for the most severe crimes, and this 32-year sentence reflects that exact standard," said Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera.

The charges stemmed from years of s*xual abuse that came to light after the child courageously disclosed what had happened. The DeSoto County Sheriff's Department and the Panola County Sheriff's Department conducted the investigation, working together to gather the evidence that led to Guidi's conviction.

During the sentencing hearing, the child's mother delivered a powerful victim impact statement, describing the lasting trauma inflicted upon a child who should have been protected.

Guidi will serve his 32-year sentence day for day in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Jubera went on to say, "Cases like this remind us that when law enforcement, child advocates, and prosecutors work together, justice is served and tough sentences can be secured. But above all, this conviction was only possible because of the remarkable courage of this survivor and her decision to speak out."

This case was investigated by the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department and the Panola County Sheriff's Department, with assistance from Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center, and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera.

06/30/2026

MEMPHIS CHILD PREDATOR SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS IN DESOTO COUNTY

HERNANDO, Miss. – A Memphis child predator has been ordered to serve almost 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections after the DeSoto County Circuit Court revoked his suspended sentence following his indictment on a new child s*x crime in Tennessee.

Terry Charles Smith, 66, of Memphis, Tennessee, previously pleaded guilty to Sexual Battery of a Minor Under the Age of 13 in DeSoto County in 2008. Following his indictment in Shelby County, Tennessee, on a new charge of aggravated s*xual battery of a minor, the State of Mississippi petitioned to revoke Smith’s suspended sentence. The Court granted the State’s petition and imposed the maximum revocation permitted by law, ordering Smith to serve 19 years and 223 days in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

“Child predators cannot escape justice by crossing state lines,” said Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera. “This predator will spend nearly the next 20 years in prison. If he ever walks free again, he’ll be 86 years old, and our children will be safer because of it.”

Given Smith’s age, the sentence is effectively a life sentence. If he is ever released after serving his sentence, he will be approximately 86 years old.

Smith remains under indictment in Shelby County, Tennessee, on a charge of aggravated s*xual battery of a minor.

Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Mississippi.

06/26/2026

MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR TRAFFICKING FENTANYL IN DESOTO COUNTY

HERNANDO, Miss. — Today, the DeSoto County District Attorney's office announced that Michael Walker has been sentenced to 15 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision.

Walker's sentencing marks the conclusion of a major narcotics case stemming from a Southaven Police Department investigation that resulted in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit fentanyl pills.

Authorities recovered approximately 4,387 lethal doses of fentanyl during the investigation, preventing the dangerous narcotics from reaching the streets of DeSoto County. The pills had been manufactured to resemble legitimate prescription oxycodone tablets, complete with "M 30" markings, making them difficult to distinguish from authentic medication.

“There is no place in DeSoto County for fentanyl or the people who deal it,” said Assistant District Attorney Gordon Shaw. "Criminals who bring these deadly drugs into our communities will face serious consequences."

Walker was prosecuted alongside co-defendant Richard Vaught, who previously pleaded guilty and was also sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal. Officials say removing thousands of potentially lethal doses from circulation represents a significant victory in the ongoing effort to combat the spread of fentanyl across DeSoto County.

This case was investigated by Southaven Police and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gordon Shaw.

06/20/2026

TIP: Wanted Levels Don’t Expire At The State Line.

06/19/2026

DESOTO COUNTY JURY CONVICTS ALVIN MYLES JR. AFTER FOUR DAY TRIAL; SENTENCED TO 45 YEARS

HERNANDO, Miss. — The DeSoto County District Attorney's Office announced that Alvin J. Myles Jr. has been found guilty of Attempted Murder, after a four day trial, and sentenced to 45 years, 40 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections followed by 5 years of reporting post-release supervision, after a DeSoto County jury found him guilty following a four-day trial.

The conviction stems from a January 2023 shooting at a hotel in Olive Branch that left the victim critically injured. Following an investigation by the Olive Branch Police Department, Myles was identified as the suspect, arrested, and ultimately brought to trial.

During sentencing, the State sought the maximum punishment allowed under the law and asked the jury to impose a life sentence. After the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on punishment, the Court subsequently sentenced Myles to 40 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

“If we want safe schools, strong neighborhoods, and a place where families can raise their children without fear, then violent criminals must be held accountable every single time,” said Assistant District Attorney Gordon Shaw. “That is why experience matters in the courtroom and toughness matters when it comes to your safety.”

Shaw also praised the work of law enforcement and the jury.

“I want to thank the Olive Branch Police Department for their outstanding investigative work and the jury for their careful attention throughout this four-day trial,” Shaw said. “Because of their commitment to justice, a violent criminal has been held accountable, and our community is safer because of it.”

Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams also praised the teamwork of the Olive Branch Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office in the successful investigation and prosecution of this case.

“Their efforts reinforce our community’s commitment to law and order and send a clear message that criminal behavior will not be tolerated in Olive Branch.”

The case was investigated by the Olive Branch Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gordon Shaw.