LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. – A former sheriff’s deputy and his wife, a junior high school teacher, were arrested in Louisiana this week on charges of child rape and the production of child pornography. The arrests followed the discovery of disturbing evidence, including nude photos of the couple posing with a child, according to reports.
Dennis Perkins, 44, a former lieutenant with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Cynthia Perkins, 34, who taught at a junior high school in Walker, La., were taken into custody on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, according to FOX 8 of New Orleans.
#BREAKING : Former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy, Dennis Perkins, has been booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center. He and his wife are accused of child rape and the production of child pornography, among other disturbing charges. @WAFB https://t.co/r9cTqpc8vc pic.twitter.com/DJD5lUtfmt
— Lester Duhé (@LesterDuhe) October 23, 2019
Following his arrest, Dennis Perkins was immediately terminated from his position with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. Cynthia Perkins resigned from her teaching position at the junior high school.
Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard expressed his dismay in a statement, saying, “It’s a sad day for us, for all law enforcement officers, when you arrest one of your own… but as I have said in the past, no one is above the law.”
Both Dennis and Cynthia Perkins face serious charges. They are each charged with 60 counts of production of pornography involving a child under 13, as well as rape charges, according to authorities. Dennis Perkins faces an additional charge of obstruction of justice. He allegedly threw his cellphone into a river after realizing investigators were about to arrest him during a fishing trip, a source told FOX 8.
The investigation into the couple’s alleged crimes began with a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to The Advocate of Baton Rouge. The number of potential child victims is currently unknown, authorities told the news agency.
Dennis Perkins was initially held at a detention center in Livingston Parish, with bond set at $1.6 million, before being transferred to the Ascension Parish Jail. Cynthia Perkins is being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond, according to The Advocate.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a statement emphasizing the importance of protecting children. “Protecting Louisiana children is one of my top priorities,” Landry said. “So my office and I will continue to do all we can to find and arrest child predators.” The case remains under investigation.
Child rape is a heinous crime. Law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold the law. Pornography is illegal.