A high-ranking Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy and his wife have been arrested, accused of child rape and the production of child pornography, among other major charges in Livingston Parish, Louisiana.
Dennis Perkins, 44, and Cynthia Perkins, 34, were arrested Wednesday, Oct. 23 as the result of a criminal probe headed up by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. Mrs. Perkins is a Livingston Parish school teacher.
Mr. Perkins was a lieutenant with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit and SWAT team.
The Louisiana attorney general says the married couple was involved in producing or prepossessing child pornography and rape.
According to KALB News the investigation was initiated following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible possession and distribution of child pornography.
Scant details have been released, but here is what we know so far:
Among the evidence seized in the case are photos that show Mr. and Mrs. Perkins nude with an unclothed child.
Mr. Perkins faces an obstruction of justice charge after he allegedly threw his cell phone into a river in north Louisiana after finding out investigators were there to take him into custody.
Mr. Perkins was terminated from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office amid the child pornography investigation. Mrs. Perkins resigned Wednesday morning from her position as a teacher at Westside Junior High School in Louisiana.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says Denny Perkins is charged with 60 counts of production of pornography involving a juvenile under the age of 13, two counts of first degree rape, three counts of possession of pornography involving a juvenile under the age of 13, two counts of video voyeurism, and two counts of obscenity.
Mr. Perkins has a bond of $1,675,000.
Cynthia Perkins is charged with 60 counts of production of pornography involving a juvenile under the age of 13 and two counts of first degree rape. She’s being held on a $500,000 bond.
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says:
“It is a sad day for us, for all law enforcement officers, when you arrest one of your own. We 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. This type of alleged behavior will not be tolerated by me or anyone at the Livingston Parish Sheriff. I do not condone these alleged acts. I am disappointed. I have always considered Denny a friend and a family member. The Attorney General’s Office is leading this investigation. We are assisting and offering to cooperate in any way we can.”
The Livingston Parish School System issued the following statement:
Livingston Parish Public Schools has been notified by law enforcement that a former employee has been placed under arrest due to an ongoing investigation. At this time we are waiting for more information to determine what the appropriate course of action will be. Livingston Parish Public Schools are committed to the safety and security of all our students and employees and is also committed to working with the proper authorities as needed through the course of this investigation.
