The deputy sheriff and SWAT commander of a former Louisiana sheriff will face the rest of his life in prison as he was sentenced to 100 years on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a series of sex crimes.
In one of the 150 horrific crimes, Dennis Perkins, 46, former Livingston Township deputy sheriff, ejaculated semen into a cake his teacher’s wife baked for her students at Westside Junior High School.
His wife Cynthia, 37, was sentenced to 41 years in prison in February after pleading guilty to complicity in her husband’s crimes, which included the manufacture of child pornography. As part of her sentencing, Cynthia agreed to testify against her husband.
Perkins, who was first arrested in 2019, told reporters as he left Livingston Parish court: “I just want to make this statement. Jesus Christ has forgiven me. And for that I am grateful. And I hope and pray that everyone affected by this will also find forgiveness and healing through Jesus Christ.’
At Tuesday’s hearing, Perkins cried more than once, reports WAFB.
Dennis and Cynthia Perkins were first arrested in October 2019 when authorities found a photo of the couple nude with a minor after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Dennis Perkins, 46, and Cynthia Perkins, 36, have been accused of putting seeds in a cake and serving it to children at the school where Cynthia studied
During the hearing, one of his victims made a statement that said, “You are absolutely not worth my time. Instead of protecting, you chose to abuse. Have a nice life in prison.’
The victim also expressed her hope that the former MP will live out the rest of his life in fear.
Perkins pleaded guilty to one charge of second-degree rape, two charges of molesting a child, one charge of video voyeurism, two charges of producing child pornography involving children under 13, and one charge of mixing harmful substances.
The plea agreement was forged so that young victims would not have to testify in the case. Prosecutors said they met with each victim to get approval to go ahead with the plea deal.
In October 2019, the former SWAT commander and his wife were arrested when authorities found a photo of the couple nude with a minor after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Perkins was fired after the arrest, while Cynthia stepped down from her role as a teacher.
She has taught English Language Arts at Westside Junior High School since 2016. Prior to that, she worked at North Live Oak Elementary and Live Oak Middle School for four years.
At his sentencing hearing, one of his victims made a statement that said: “You are absolutely not worth my time. Instead of protecting, you chose to abuse. Have a nice life in prison’
Cynthia filed for divorce shortly after her arrest, claiming that Dennis manipulated her into committing the crimes
Cynthia filed for divorce shortly after her arrest, claiming that Dennis manipulated her into committing the crimes.
After the baking incident, it was alleged that the father of a student who ate the contaminated cupcakes fell into a crippling depression over the incident and was unable to find employment.
Another lawsuit alleged that a student and a parent were affected by mental health and behavior issues and had been unable to sleep since the cupcake incident.
In a lawsuit filed last May, the parents of a student allege that Cynthia showed the girl inappropriate pictures and that she also photographed and videotaped the minor.
All four lawsuits, which were filed separately, also charged the Livingston Parish School Board with negligence.
Cynthia quit her job as a teacher the day she was arrested. Since 2016, she has taught English Language Arts at Westside Junior High School (pictured). She previously served at North Live Oak Elementary and Live Oak Middle School for four years
The couple have been accused of producing child pornography, rape, attempted rape, sexual violence, profanity and video voyeurism
In 2014, Perkins was investigated when a Baton Rouge police officer made allegations of rape against him. These allegations did not lead to charges.
At the time of Cynthia’s sentencing, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said, “Today, Cynthia Perkins admitted her crimes and pleaded guilty in court. Not only did he waive the right to appeal and the attempt to avoid conviction, but she spared the victims from reliving their horrific crimes during this particular trial.’
According to the plea deal, Cynthia had to agree to certain facts in the case, such as assisting her husband in sexually assaulting a youth, assisting in filming a youth taking a bath, and handing out desserts with his semen before giving them to school-age children .
Cynthia issued a lengthy apology to the victims, their friends and family before sentencing.
“I also want to apologize to my three children. I haven’t spoken to them in three years. I love her and I miss her and I’m sorry,” Perkins said.
But one of her children, born during her first marriage, described her in a letter to the court as a “terrible” and “manipulative” mother.
“My life is so much better without you,” the letter reads.
In May, another woman involved in the case, Melanie Curtin, was sentenced to life in prison after it was revealed that Dennis and Cynthia Perkins were in possession of a video showing Curtin raping a minor in their home.
During Curtin’s trial, the victim said, “When I saw parts of the video, I literally wanted to die.”
The victim told the court that she was drinking with Perkins and Curtin when the attack took place. Curtin and Perkins had previously been in a relationship together.