Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office conducted a two-day “Operation Trick or Treat” starting Wednesday in advance of the upcoming Halloween holiday, leading to four arrests for violations of the Sex Offender Registration Act.
Matthew Cenquis Hill, 34; Justin Lynn Stafford, 36; Darien Cortrel Latham, 30; and Tommie C. Harris, 44; all of Columbus; were arrested on charges of failure to register, according to an LCSO press release.
Latham was also charged with driving under the influence, driving with no insurance, and driving without a license. Hill and Stafford were also charged with violation of probation.
All four men either have had bond set or will have bond set at $5,000 for the failure to register charge, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins told The Dispatch in a text message. Latham had additional bond totaling $1,722 set for his other charges.
Detectives traveled throughout the county to verify that all 130 registered sex offenders living within the area were fulfilling their registry requirements, the release said, including checking the address and phone number of their residence, the address and phone number of their employers and their status involving a school for accuracy.
“The Sheriff’s Office is committed to the safety of all the residents of Lowndes County; being that Halloween is right around the corner, we are committed to making sure that all offenders are complying with the requirements of the law so that parents know where it’s safe to take their children trick or treating,” the release said.
Hill, Stafford, Latham and Harris were four of 10 offenders found to be violating the registration act. Warrants have been issued for the remaining six offenders.
Criminal investigations are being conducted on another 20, with detectives looking for possible violations. Seven offenders were already in custody on other charges, the release said.
LCSO found that about 93% of registered sex offenders in the county were complying with their registration requirements. A list of offenders in the county is available on the Mississippi Sex Offender registry at state.sor.dps.ms.gov/.
Anyone with more information on violations of the Registered Sex Offenders Act in the county are asked to contact the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 662-328-6788, Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151, or to access the P3-Tips app. Crime Stoppers may offer a cash reward.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
