Former Southaven police officer accused of stealing Infiniti, helping criminals

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (WMC) – A former Southaven police officer is now accused of working with criminals to steal an Infiniti late last year in DeSoto County.

Tony Herring Jr. is charged with felony auto theft and conspiracy to commit auto theft, DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton confirmed Wednesday afternoon. However, Barton says that prosecutors believe Herring it can connected with more theft.

“We have reason to believe that it was not a one-time crime,” he said.

Tony Herring Jr.(Southaven Police Department)

Herring was arrested in Horn Lake, Mississippi, on Wednesday after being charged out of DeSoto County. Barton’s new Public Corruption Unit brought charges, and bore fruit sooner than expected.

DA Barton says Herring’s charges include another person he allegedly worked with; the person’s identity has not been disclosed.

Barton says the crime took place while Herring was still employed by the department in late 2023.

“Not only does it betray the public’s trust in the position he held, but these carjackings are turning into situations where criminals have access to guns to commit more serious crimes,” said Barton.

Herring was fired shortly after the 2023 robbery, according to the DA.

The DA says Herring would act as a bodyguard for thieves and give them information to help steal cars.

“While he was still employed, he was facilitating car thefts in our community and helping criminals who were coming here to break the law, some of whom were hiding out in Memphis after stealing cars,” Barton said at a press conference Wednesday. in the evening “Southaven police were able to uncover this scheme. They terminated this individual very quickly and effectively.”

Investigators say this case was a coordinated effort between the DA’s Office, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the US Marshals Service.

Herring is currently being held at the DeSoto County Detention Center.

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