Louisiana Sheriff, His School Teacher Wife, Face 60 Counts of Child Porn and Rape
LIVINGSTON PARISH, LOUISIANA – A sheriff’s deputy with a long history on the job in Louisiana and his wife who’s a school teacher have been arrested this week on child pornography charges.
Dennis Perkins and his wife Cynthia Thompson Perkins are facing first-degree charges of rape and 60 counts of producing pornography that involves juveniles below 13 years old, according to a statement released by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.
Mr Perkins worked as a Lieutenant at the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, which arrested him on Tuesday. Then Lieutenant Perkins was fired by Sheriff Jason Ard after being informed by investigators of the charges.
44-year-old Dennis Perkins led the SWAT team and had worked for the LPSO since 2002.
“It’s a sad day for all of us, for all law enforcement officers when you arrest one of your own. We at the LPSO work hard every day to retain the trust placed in us by our citizens. I understand this was a veteran law enforcement officer, one who had dedicated a lot of time and effort into this community, but as I have said in the past – no one is above the law,” Sheriff Jason Ard said in a statement.
34-year-old Cynthia Thompson Perkins was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center by authorities on Wednesday, jail records show. Mrs. Perkins resigned on Tuesday from the Livingston Parish Publish Schools, a statement reads. Officials were alerted of the investigation that Tuesday morning.
“Livingston Parish Public Schools is committed to the safety and security of all students and employees and is committed to working with the proper authorities as needed through the course of this investigation,” a statement by the district said.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was ripped off which launched the ongoing investigation, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Cynthia Perkins was working at the Westside Junior High School located in Walker, according to The Advocate. Mrs. Perkins is currently held on a $500,000 bail, jail records show.
Mr Perkins the husband, is being held on a $1,675,000 bail because he’s facing additional charges of pornography possession, video voyeurism, and obscenity.
Attorney General Jeff Landry gave a statement and said, “Protecting Louisiana children is one of my top priorities. So my office and I will continue to do all we can to find and arrest child predators.”
Anyone who has information about the case is able to anonymously contact the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation.
The Advocate reports that Mr and Mrs Perkins are expected to make an appearance in court next week.
