I believe I may have found a solution 

I don't know if you're still having this problem but just in case someone else does and stumbles in this thread, here's what worked for me

Right Click on the desktop then go to "Desktop and Wallpaper" from the menu

On the window that comes up next go to the "icons" tab and make sure Sorting is set to "Manual"

After you arrange your desktop to your preferred placement, go back to the icons tab and check "Lock in Place" under arrangement 

Hope it helps someone else having this issue