State Auditor says DeSoto Crime Stoppers hasn’t paid out in a decade

DESOTO COUNTY — DeSoto County Crime Stoppers spent nearly $400,000 over the past decade without being able to show evidence that it ever provided a crime tip to law enforcement or paid a reward, according to a report released Friday by State Auditor Shad White.

The audit found that since 2015, the nonprofit organization has received more than $400,000 from local governments through fees collected on misdemeanor offenses such as speeding tickets.

Despite the funding, the organization was unable to produce any records showing it forwarded tips to police or paid informants during the 10-year period reviewed.

“Preventing spillover crime from the notoriously dangerous city of Memphis is a top priority for Mississippians in DeSoto County, but my fear after reviewing this audit is that there i