Former deputy Dennis Perkins pleads guilty in high-profile case

LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. (WAFB) - Former Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputy Dennis Perkins has agreed to a sentence of 100 years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea in a case that stunned the entire community when details first emerged in 2019.

The plea agreement, announced during a court hearing Tuesday morning, includes a stipulation that Perkins will not be eligible for appeal, probation, or parole.

“No one has to worry about Dennis Perkins hurting anyone ever again,” said Barry Milligan, assistant attorney general.

As part of the plea agreement, Perkins pled guilty to second-degree rape, sexual battery of a child under the age of 18, sexual battery of a child under the age of 13, video voyeurism, mingling of harmful substances, and production of child pornography. All of the remaining charges against him were dismissed, as part of the plea agreement.

Perkins, a former high-ranking Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputy was charged with rape, child pornography, sexual battery, and video voyeurism. And, he was accused of covering desserts with his own semen so that they could later be fed to children.

Perkins, who at times cried during the hearing, faced several family members of his victims inside a Livingston Parish courtroom Tuesday, as he pleaded guilty to the horrific crimes he committed against them.

”I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s been more than three years living in a box and it’s not about me,” he said. “I just want to make this statement. Jesus Christ has forgiven me. And I’m grateful for that. And, I hope and pray that anybody that this affected will also find forgiveness and healing through Jesus Christ,” he said.

Minutes before he made that statement, one of his victims took the stand and told Perkins she hopes he spends every day worrying about his own safety. “You’re absolutely not worth my time,” the female victim said. “Instead of protecting, you chose abuse. Have a nice life in prison.”

“Is this the worst evidence you’ve ever seen,” questioned WAFB’s Lester Duhe’.

“Yes,” said Milligan.

“They’ve (the victims) been through hell, and they’re just as satisfied for this to come to a conclusion and justice prevail, so that they can hopefully move forward and not have to look back ever again,” said Erica McLellan, Assistant Attorney General.

Perkins was set to go on trial on January 9 but accepted the plea deal during a hearing held at the Livingston Parish courthouse Tuesday, January 3.

The plea agreement means the young victims in the case will not have to testify. Prosecutors said they met with each victim in the case to get their blessing to go forward with the plea deal.

“I think it sends the message that has been very consistent from our office, that if you commit crimes against children, people are coming after you,” said Milligan.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry released the below statement:

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard also issued the below statement:

Defense attorney Jarrett Ambeau issued a statement as well:

Perkins’ former school teacher wife, Cynthia, was also charged in portions of the case and pled guilty last year. She was sentenced to 41 years in prison and agreed to testify against her now ex-husband. The two were married at the time of their arrests.

In December of 2021, Melanie Curtin, the ex-lover of Dennis Perkins, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of aggravated rape and video voyeurism in the 2014 sexual assault of an unconscious woman. Dennis Perkins was charged in the same case.

Dennis Perkins, who appears to have lost weight and is now bald, appeared in court wearing an orange prison jumpsuit. He briefly addressed the judge, after agreeing to the plea deal. “I wish there were things that would have came (sic) to light in pre-trial motions that would have helped me in this case,” he said. “I just think we ran out of time,” he added.

Judge Sledge asked if that statement by Perkins meant that he wanted to change his mind about the plea. “Do you still want to go forward with the plea agreement,” she asked. “Yes, ma’am, I’ll plead guilty,” he added.

The case was prosecuted by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.

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