DENHAM SPRINGS, La. – A high-ranking Louisiana sheriff’s deputy and his wife have been arrested on child pornography and rape charges.
Dennis Perkins, 44, and Cynthia Perkins, 34, are both facing 60 counts of production of pornography involving a juvenile under the age of 13, and two counts of first-degree rape, according to the state's attorney general's office . Dennis is also being charged with three counts of possession of pornography involving a juvenile under 13, two counts of video voyeurism, and two counts of obscenity.
A source familiar with the case told WAFB that evidence in the investigation involves photos that show the couple nude with an unclothed child.
The source says Dennis is also facing an obstruction of justice charge for throwing his cell phone into a river after learning investigators were about to take him into custody.
Dennis was a lieutenant with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit before being terminated earlier this week and Cynthia was a middle school teacher, but she resigned shortly before her arrest, WAFB reports.
“It is a sad day for us, for all law enforcement officers, when you arrest one of your own,” wrote Sheriff Jason Ard in a statement . “We at the LPSO work hard everyday 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 & 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 LPSO. I do not condone these alleged acts. I am disappointed. I have always considered Denny a friend & a family member. The Attorney General’s Office is leading this investigation. We are assisting & offering to cooperate in any way we can.”
“Protecting Louisiana children is one of my top priorities,” said Attorney General Jeff Landry. “So my office and I will continue to do all we can to find and arrest child predators.”
The attorney general’s office says both arrests were the result of a joint investigation with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI), Louisiana State Police, and Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. The investigation was initiated following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible possession and distribution of child porn.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding Cynthia or Dennis Perkins is encouraged to contact the LBI toll-free at 1-800-256-4506. Callers may remain anonymous.
