This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Sexually abusing children and animals of other species can never be tolerated, but it's even more heinous when a law enforcement officer and a school teacher pair up as the perpetrators of such abuse. That was the case with a vile Louisiana couple who have been arrested and charged, and now it's time to call for justice for all of their victims.

In late October of 2019, Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office Special Operations Unit (SWAT) Lieutenant, Dennis Wallace Perkins, 44, and his school teacher wife, Cynthia Thompkins Perkins, 34, were arrested on child exploitation and animal cruelty charges.

A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to an investigation by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations, the Louisiana State Police and the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office that resulted in this couple's arrest on enough charges to put them away for a reported 6,000 years for crimes that date back to at least 2014.

Both have since lost their jobs, and while many details of this case are being kept private to protect the innocent victims, additional charges were added by a grand jury in December and the couple was indicted on 150 counts.

Dennis Perkins is facing 78 counts, including first degree rape, attempted first degree rape, sexual battery of a child under the age of 13, video voyeurism, obscenity, mingling harmful substances, possession of child pornography and producing child pornography.

He was also charged with animal cruelty for sexually abusing a dog and videotaping the act.

Cynthia Perkins was indicted on 72 counts, including first degree rape, attempted first degree rape, sexual battery of a child under the age of 13, mingling harmful substances, video voyeurism and producing child pornography.

These acts are some of the most troubling and heartbreaking that there are, and they tragically highlight the link between animal cruelty and other criminal acts.

District Attorney Scott Perrilloux recused his office from prosecuting this couple, citing a conflict of interest. The case will instead be handled by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and his appointed staff.

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.